Loove
I’m so confused. When I first saw French designer Isabel Marant’s “sneakers”—which have a concealed 3-inch wedge heel built into them—I was mystified. It seemed like the worst of both worlds: you get the sloppy look of a sneaker and the discomfort of a high heel. Sweet combo!
Popofstyle
Don’t get me wrong—I’m a fan of both sneakers and dangerously high heels, but doesn’t combining them cancel out the inherent value of each? It seems to me that there’s a distinct time for sneakers and for heels, but under what circumstances do you say, “Oh, my secret-heel sneakers will be just the thing!”?
On top of that, Marant’s originals cost a whopping $680, and though a variety of cheaper and cuter versions are now available, I still can’t quite understand why someone would invest in shoes that inspire you to slam-dunk but threaten to break your ankle if you actually try.
SheFinds
However, I’m clearly missing something, because when I was in Paris this spring, they were everywhere. Shop windows boasted pairs in fun colors, and I saw them on the feet of many a stylish girl traipsing through the Marais.
When I returned to New York, I met up with some friends for brunch and—lo and behold—one of my friends was sporting them, which gave me the perfect opportunity to pelt her with all my burning questions.
Sofi Fahrman & Helga Weber
First of all, on what occasion do you wear them? The answer was self-evident: brunch. And how do they feel? “They’re actually really comfortable,” she assured me.
I insisted on trying them on right there on the sidewalk, and in fact, they were pretty comfortable. Perhaps not as comfortable as real sneakers, but certainly more cushy than the majority of heels in my closet.
Glamazonsblog
“I’ll only be able to wear them through the fall,” she admitted. “And in ten years, I’ll probably look back and say, ‘What was I thinking?’”
For me, this would be a reason NOT to buy something; but for my dear friend, it was all the more reason to go for it. I guess that’s what ultimately divides trend-lovers and trend-avoiders. Some of us ask “Why?” while others ask “Why not?”
What about you lovely readers—would you wear wedge sneakers?
Related links:
- TalkShoes tells us about their thoughts on this new shoe phenomenon…
- InStyle and ELLE magazine have also snatched up this new peculiar trend
- If you’re not a fan of the built in heel, perhaps Repetto is more your taste?
Written by Tory Hoen for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.
WRITTEN BY
Tory Hoen
Tory Henwood Hoen has been published by New York Magazine, Vogue, Condé Nast Traveler, Bon Appétit, Fortune, and others. She was Creative Director of Brand at M.M.LaFleur, where she founded the brand’s digital magazine, The M Dash. Her debut novel, The Arc, is available in bookshops near you and online.
It’s really a nice and helpful piece of info. I am satisfied that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this.Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for posting this informative blog on the proper ways of wearing wedge sneakers. Sneakers are all the rage now. A lot of people are wearing sneakers on a regular basis. I got a lot of useful info from this blog. Looking forward to your next post.
I’ve been having this same debate for a few months since I went to London and saw these everywhere. I’m a commuter with a busy lifestyle here in Chicago, so I never wear heels on the train or buses because it just isn’t conducive or comfortable. So the possibility of having the *best* of a comfortable sneaker but being a little more fashionable intrigues me. My boyfriend thinks these things are hideous, but then I saw a photo of Charlize Theron sporting a pair and I just got even more intrigued. I haven’t bought a pair yet (I certainly don’t want to pay more than $100 for them). Generally I am not a huge trend follower; sticking to classic silouettes that flatter my petite, curvy body type is what works best for me. And since I can’t afford to buy every piece of clothing or accessory I want, it makes more sense to make sure I get the most out of what I buy.
That said, I just bought my first two pairs of colored denim: one in mint (love), one in neon coral (love the color, but I still feel kind of obnoxious wearing them). Here’s the thing, though. There’s a photo of me as a 5 year old wearing a purple sweater and bright, orange/coral pants. And I’ve looked at that photo in the past and thought, “God, what did my mother dress me in?” Yet, here I am, having bought orange neon pants and I’ve worn them to work (yeah so there was a black blazer that might have classed it up a little, but they’re still orange pants).
So if the 90s are making a comeback, it seems only right that the Spice Girls’ platform shoes would’ve come back right with them.
Honestly I think it’s all about what you find attractive, never mind what everyone else is saying and go with what works for you. If it’s jeans and a t-shirt or a pencil skirt and pumps, it’s all about expressing yourself.
My feelings on the sneaker wedge are that they’re ugly, so I won’t be jumping on this “hot trend”, much like I won’t wear head-to-toe animal print.
Definitely a huge, big time DO! 🙂 Thanks for your post and lovely photos 🙂
I fell in love with these wedge sneakers and got them in 2 different colors. I can see myself wearing them through fall and winter and I don’t really care if in 1, 2 or 5 months they’ll be “out of style”… if I like wearing something and it makes me happy, I will wear it regardless of what people are saying or how “outdated or so- yesterday” it is. Besides, in NYC you can be yourself and wear whatever u want, you see so many crazy/weird/awesome styles all over the city that it kinda gives you room to be bold and experiment and decide what u wanna wear withoutbwottying whether you are “in accordance to the latest trend” These crazy wedge sneakers combo might become a joke in a few years but I will definitely wear them for a long time to come. I love NYC!
I am not a fan of those sneakers, I must say. These sneakers look clumpy and will not do your legs any favours. Give me those T-bar shoes any day.
I was in Paris two weeks ago but didnt get a chance to buy them. Do you know,if I can get them in the USA???