12 hours ago
How to effortlessly jazz up your style with sneakers
A good sneaker can give you all the comfort and style you need with the least effort.
Whether you're all about the label or just in need of a comfortable shoe to go about your day, there's a sneaker type for everyone.
Do you enjoy the look of high-top sneakers or prefer to show a little ankle?
Tiisetso Molobi, founder of the fashion label Urban Mosadi and Vans ambassador, gives TRUELOVE all the ins and outs of sneaker buying, from shapes to maintenance.
High tops or low cuts?
Different sneaker cuts work for various needs or outfit choices. An example Tiisetso gives us includes how ankle grazing low cut sneakers work well with straight-cut jeans or trousers.
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She says, 'Highs are great during the winter months but can be seen as seasonal. They pair well with wide-leg pants or jeans. The 'dad' shoe, although it's a low [cut], works with most looks, full-length skirts, trackpants as well as jeans.
'Lows or slim cut sneakers look great with straight cut jeans or pants, particularly the barrel-shaped silhouette slacks. The ankle grazing pants are best when wanting to showcase your choice in socks and sneaker.'
Tiisetso's top sneaker picks
1. 'For me, there are three types of shoes I enjoy wearing day to day. First being The Dad Shoe, which is characterised as chunky, comfortable & retro. (New Balance 2002R or 1973's or Asics GT-2160 and Salomon)
2. 'Lows or Slim Sneakers are typically minimalist in design, narrow and utilitarian. (Replica GAT by Maison Margiela, Adidas Samba or Japans, Puma Speedcats or Vans Authentic).
3.'Collectable collab sneakers, this can be contentious or coveted. It truly depends on your personal taste and genuine appreciation for shoes. (Opening Ceremony x Vans Authentics, Cecilie Bahnsen x Asics).'
If you're not much of a sneakerhead and prefer to splurge on takkies for workouts, Tiisetso offers some advice on choosing the right shoe for you.
'Advice I would give to a non-sneakerhead who only wears sneakers to work out, would be try a minimalist yet comfortable canvas sneaker that works for your foot shape. For a slimmer feet, sneakers like Speedcats, Japans or Sambas can work.
'For wider feet, sneakers that have a broader toe-box design such as the Vans Authentics will work best. But the Dad Shoe is a safest most stylish option across the board. They come in a plethora of styles and sizes offered by many sneaker brands.'
Tiisetso Molobi in her top sneaker picks.
Photo: Supplied
Maintenance tips
Maintaining your shoes all depends on how often you wear them and the style you're going for.
Tiisetso explains that some sneakers need to 'patina', which is a natural or artificial wear and tear of a shoe and its exposure to the environment that softens the material, darkens the colour or adds a unique texture to give the shoe a little bit of character.
'The best way to maintain your sneakers will always depend on the frequency of that shoe in your sneaker rotation. Some sneakers need to patina to give them character. So no need to keep them clean, for instance, white and grey Replicas should be left as is.'
Tiisetso continues, 'But the general rule is canvas sneakers should be sprayed with fabric protector while new. This should prevent staining. Leather polish works for that skin, and predominantly nubuck or suede fabrics just require a clean hard or medium eraser, when scuffed. The eraser can also work on the rubber of your sneakers.'
