Mamas, have you noticed the whole high-top sneaker trend? It seems to be growing. I had peripherally noticed it a while back, but didn't really...well..care. Until I was totally charmed by Refinery 29's feature of Elettra Wiedemann:
Those are some serious shoes (Monika Chiang sneakers, to be precise). But paired with black skinnies and a silky blouse...they're cute. Like...really, really cute, without veering into puppies and kittens cute. Sleek-cute.
For the first time, uh, EVER, I found myself coveting a pair of serious high-tops. But, you know, not seriously. Cause...I mean...well...look at 'em! Seriously?
I just couldn't commit the cash to such a big, dark, sneaker. At the time, I could think of exactly ONE way those babies would look amazing...and Elettra's wearing it.
But high-tops continued to pop up on my radar....and Mamas, I actually own a pair (sort of). Converse high-tops - they count, right? I typically wear them under something (last seen under my printed Paige skinny jeans)...but buoyed by Elettra's outfit, I resolved to not just wear them, but to show-off the actual High-Top.
But first, my high-top sneaker inspiration board:
(photo credits, clockwise from top left: Vanessa Jackman, Tracy Wang for Refinery 29, Scott Schumann for Stockholm Street Style, Vanessa Jackman, Vanessa Jackman, BigPicturesPhotos.com)
And then me:
Like Elettra....Sort of
This first outfit was directly inspired by Elettra. Since my converse high-tops are so light, dark skinnies made my legs look cut-off. So I went with a lighter color skinny and a fake(!) silky top (OldNavyThankYouVeryMuch).
(wearing: Old Navy blouse - also cute, Current/Elliott slouchy skinnies, Coach belt, Converse high-tops, Salt Hathaway sunnies, Cake Lingerie Cookies-n-cream nursing bra which you can see...hunh.)
With an Over-sized White Shirt
I really like the juxtaposition of a real shirt (blouse, button-down, etc.) with high-tops, instead of a t-shirt. It helps, I think, with the keeping the look from being teenagery. And you know me and my cut-off denim obsession.
(wearing: J.Crew shirt - similar, Gap Maternity jeans as cut-offs, Converse high-tops)
There's a problem with these high-tops, however. The side view isn't so bad. But check out the front:
See the problem? They cut my legs off straight across at the thinnest part of the ankle, making my legs look a little stumpier than normal. I'm tempted to cut the top of the tongue on a diagonal or something to help with this problem. Or cut a rounded tongue? Perhaps that would help? Would love some advice from you wise DIYers....
With Crops Done...Right? Hopefully?
There's something about the proportions on Gwyneth Paltrow's take (inspiration board, bottom right) that I really like. However, I didn't love my baggy boyfriend jeans with this shoe. So I tried my cropped JBrand's.
(wearing: Stylemint Pacific tee, JBrand cropped denim - similar, Converse high-tops)
Kinda fun, no? And really just a t-shirt & jeans outfit. Which is totally my speed.
What say you, Mamas? High-tops...yes?
And I know I can't be the only Converse-high-top-wearing-Mama...I'd love to know how you're wearing yours!
xo,
S
ps. There's more high-top inspiration on our Sneakers Pinterest board....
