I think we went through this in the 1980’s, am I right? And it was hideous back then, too?
I marvel at Pumas. Here’s a shoe that has absolutely no support whatsoever, costs a ton of money, and markets itself as a kind of chic sneaker. For something like $80-130, shouldn’t you either have a really beautiful shoe or a sneaker with amazing, supernatural support to it? The kind that would allow you to take a Zumba class, walk sixteen miles, and stand at a kitchen counter cooking all morning with subsequent happy, pain-free feet?
Some of them are really cute, though. I mean, I get the appeal.
When I was in Greece, silver sneakers were all the rage and they were really, really cute and pretty. I mean, really silver, like this kind of silver:
… except with a much prettier style and usually set on a comfortable, low platform heel. They came in all price ranges and I’m hoping that the fashion might make it to the U.S. at some point. They would be a very comfortable option for the stylin’ minister, I think. I saw a lot of professional gals wearing them with a pair of tailored trousers, a fitted cotton jacket, a nice blouse and tasseled scarf thrown with that particular Athenian flair around the neck. Great purse, nice hair, very smart look and easy to run around the city in.
That type of sneaker (the really silver one) that you posted is great. I can see myself wearing it
I find as an urban, young female pastor, I often end up with dressy flats or nice sneakers, dark denim, a leather jacket, a neutral t-shirt or long sleeve and some type of scarf.
i’m going for a kind of classic, casual chic and street smart, but approachable and down to earth at the same time as i walk through downtown every day. Nice enough if I run into a city councillor or business owner I can talk to them as an equal, but also if I see a high school student they won’t be intimidated or put off.
PB sez “I think we went through this in the 1980’s, am I right? And it was hideous back then, too?”
Yes indeed, we did. Those are wrong on so many levels…
I’d wear those if they weren’t so expensive.
Wow..I really want silver sneakers.
Or, even better…silver Chucks! My Chuck Taylors are my favorie shoes ever. 🙂
i wore sox with pink sequins one day, (with khakis and blouse-for a gals only small group) and my best friend(!) said they were hideous- LOL. As a 50-ish female pastor with bad feet/knees from years of retail work, I would LOVE to wear really hot, fun shoes again! So, yeah PB, order us a few pair of those silver sneaks with the good support and cushioning and i will wear them.
I love my Privo’s they look very nice and provide moderate support.
http://privo.zappos.com/n/es/d/722277698/page/1.html
some of the privos are nice.
i have to admit, i don’t see the attraction of any mary-jane style at all, though they seem to be popular with clergy.
perhaps older ladies can pull them off or they make the more orthopedic shoes look a little nicer, but i can’t get over the schoolgirl/librarian connotations no matter the style. i similarly can’t stomach athletic flats – they’re too casual for the flat and too flimsy for the sneaker.
perhaps some can pull those all off without looking like a 13-year-old in uniform… i know i can’t 😉 when in doubt, i always make my shoes as nice as possible – flats with a buckle or other ornament much of the time.
[I tend to agree. When I finally found a pair of substantial, pretty and supportive black flats that WEREN’T Mary Janes I was so happy! They’re just too cutesy for most of us. – PB]
Some of the Privos are certainly nice.
I think sneakers in metallic colors just look…silly. Making a casual, casual shoe in a metallic color does not change (from my perspective) the fact that it’s a casual, casual shoe.