16 June 2009 – Rainy Day Mom on the Go, originally uploaded by academichic.
Sources:
All remixed except for shoes.
Mini trench: F21
Long wine cami: F21
Skinnies: Old Navy Maternity
Green sneakers: Champions, from Payless
End Notes:
A series of drenching midwestern summer thunderstorms have been rolling through, leaving our area a gray, sopping wet, and humid mess. My big afternoon plans, however, demand that I brave the elements and head out to the country to pick up my bi-weekly goods from our local Community Supported Agriculture farm. I figured this was as good a day as any to practice my future “mom on the go” look and put together an outfit of simple, washable basics that use the unexpected color combination of wine and green to add some flair. This is not the most inspiring of outfits, but here’s what I look like on a day when a skirt or heels just wouldn’t cut it.
Although I haven’t worn these green sneakers “on camera” before, they’ve been a workhorse for my casual wardrobe. They of course can’t sub in for my running shoes, but they’re small and soft, making them easy to pack for trips that demand much walking and they serve up form and function when I’m running errands to Home Depot or the garden nursery. I surprised myself when I purchased them almost two years ago. I was not yet a full-fledged color-and-pattern-shoe devotee, but they were on super clearance and I convinced myself that they would be a good trial pair.
While I’m hardly planning to ditch my collection of wedge heels and ballet flats for sneakers once the baby is here, I certainly recognize that a new pair of “athletic fashion shoes” (what a strange name) will be in order shortly. Now, though, the problem is limiting myself to one color, not talking myself into a color! Turquoise? Yellow? Deep green? Oh my!
Any other colored-sneaker lovers in our readership with advice to share? Or any colored-sneaker skeptics who want to talk me out of a foolish purchase and point me in an alternative direction for fun but walkable footwear?
16 June 2009 – Rainy Day Mom on the Go, originally uploaded by academichic.
personally, im a fan of the “athletic fashion shoe”
my BF has adidas (and similar-looking brands) in a number of colors, and i was envious of the way a simple pair of sneakers could make a tshirt + jeans outfit look fashionable, just by adding a pop of color, especially when it was an unexpected or contrasting color.
thus, my splurge on these:
http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/Diesel-Baffin-Grape-Red-Womens-Trainers/3718958/product.html
i LURVE them dearly!
(though, i would warn potential shoppers to go up a half size from your “usual” size)
I’m not a fan of the sneaker, but Puma makes some fantastic athletic-inspired and super comfy flats. I have a pair of the Vitta style, and ADORE them!
I’m a big fan of the Asics Ultimate 81 Onitsuka Tiger sneakers (yes, they’re quite a mouthful). I just got a pair recently in shades of blue and grey but a girlfriend of mine has them in grey, white and melon. And since some of the styles are unisex, a guy friend has them in white and green. They have any color combo you can imagine and are very lightweight and comfortable. I wore them for 6 hours in San Francisco during an Urban Race, where we walked 7 miles. They’re a bit pricier, but well worth it so far…lasted my guy friend 2 years and counting and still look new.
http://www.zappos.com/product/7480089/color/174529
http://www.zappos.com/product/7170383/color/146896
I’m definitely a fan of the colored sneaker. I have a pair of Steve Madden green and orange sneakers that I really love. I also live in this pair of blue lace-free Chucks. These are perfect for days where I’m so lazy, I can’t be bothered to tie my shoes (there’s some handy elastic under the tongue to keep them from slopping off the feet).
For a slightly more refined look, there are those sneaker/ mary jane-type shoes. I have a brown pair, and they’re quite comfortable, but less sneaker-ish in appearance (I’d like them a lot more if they were a fun color though).
I love privos. I got my first pair while pregnant with my son and I still wear than year round for running errands — sans socks in the summer. The shoe bed is AMAZING!
The green of the shoes absolutely makes this outfit. I have blue trainers and purple trainers as well as blue Chucks, and I think if you are going to go with the ‘athletic fashion shoe’, then fun colour is a must.
I also like the athletic fashion shoe! My 6-year-old green chucks are a commonly remixed item in my wardrobe. I think a fun color is great, just make sure it works well with the colors in your casual wardrobe.
I just got these ( http://maximummess.blogspot.com/2009/06/oh-im-in-love-my-class-got-out-early.html ) a few days ago and cant wait to start wearing them. I got them so I could have something cute to wear with basic jeans and t shirts and still look stylish. I’m a fan of the “athletic fashion shoe”. I don’t like wearing regular sneakers or athletic shoes because they always look so bulky and soccer-mom-ish. I think these are super cute!
I agree with Beth – I live in my Privos because I don’t want to get any of my nice shoes messed up in the lab (and also am a fan of the closed toe). If you’re on your feet a lot they’re a much cuter option than running shoes. Mine are purple :)
I can not live without the “athletic fashion shoe”! I currently have brown, cream and black & white pairs. I bought them before I started exploring colour properly last year.
Prior to that I used to own a baby pink pair – I used to be scared of colours and would only buy subtle coloured shoes etc.
Now, with very valuable guidance and inspiration from you girls, I’m embracing colour and i love it!
I love the green shoes! Stylish and practical!
I don’t have any like that but now I really want a pair! At least one pair sounds like it would be a great addition to the wardrobe. It’s nice to see the casual you today too.
Thank you, everyone for your suggestions! I have a lot to look through now! And Margaret, I am so jealous of that awesome thrift find!
I have those same sneakers, and I love them! They really are perfect for adding something simple but bright to any outfit (the fact that the color added is green really doesn’t hurt, in my opinion).
I also have a pair of kangaroos sneakers in blue-green and purple, which, though slightly duller, also makes for an exciting combination.
I would definitely stick with the fun-colored, bright sneakers. I have some bright yellow ones that I got at Nordstrom Rack for $20, and I’ve completely worn them out, I wore them so much! It’s amazing how they can transform a simple “jeans and T” look to something fun and spunky. Fortunately, it’s not hard these days to find punchy-colored sneakers at an affordable price – go for it!
I have a pair of purple ecco sneakers which are so comfortable and surprisingly versitile!!