i actually wore sneakers

And it wasn’t for some dance-/fitness-related function, too.

Gasp. I know! I’m finally (trying) to embrace rationale and accept the plight of the university student. High heels aren’t necessarily practical — mom’s words, not mine — for daily, campus treks (though it is accomplish-able, been there done that my freshman year) through rain/snow/sleet/hail/etc. So if we’re to go for durability and comfort, ballerina flats, though lovely, aren’t exactly the most foot-friendly (in terms of arch support), and if we’re going to flat, we might as well go straight into the deep. Sneakers are, then, the next viable option. Obviously. Did I mention I was an all-or-nothing girl? Blame it on the stars.

If money were of irrelevance, Lanvin or Pierre Hardy sneakers would occupy the depths of my closet – perfectly chic (or is it just the price tag and designer label?) with an air of a hip-hop touch. But alas, it is, and the only other sneaker a chic girl would ever reach for are Converse.

The question now, is this: high-top? Or low-top? The former are the ultimate classic, so very old-school and nostalgic in all their hi-top-ness, whilst the latter are younger. Hipper (I loath to use that word but here I am, using it). More modern (they’ve been reduced to  “Lo-” without the “w” for the cool factor). A smidgen more feminine, too.

When in doubt, pig out! Just kidding. But since assuming this new found pragmatism (when it comes to footwear), I’ve decided the reasonable thing was to get both. Oui! Both, because the inner waffling was driving me insane. I took the plunge with the hi-tops first, though. On sale for a ridiculously amazing price on Karmaloop was a pair of all black leather hi-tops with a sheepskin interior. Talk about grunge-rock gone luxe. I never knew how to wear it, though, so it became sole mates with my sweat lounge pants.

Later on, into my life came the quintessential white lo-top. Which wasn’t actually purchased by me — windfall from a commissioned dance gig — but anyway. I didn’t know how to wear these babies either.

And then I had a revelation. Drooling over Garance Doré on a near daily basis comes with its benefits (cons are, I’m overcome by a strong urge to start my wardrobe from scratch) comes enlightenment!

“(…) I remember an interview with Charlotte Gainsbourg where she said that she wore low-tops with jeans and high-tops with skirts, which sent my into a vicious existential crisis. (…)”

My problems solved! The French know best. My mind is going into overdrive: my American Apparel U-neck body con dress with those hi-tops to tone down the sexiness. Lo-tops with skinny  jeans (hi-tops would shorten the legs). Lo-tops with flared denim! I can see it: a striped Petit Bateau shirt that makes it so very all-American yet European at once.

My point? Today, I actually wore sneakers. To work — before you fret, it’s Casual Friday.

A peek of the ankle between the top of a low-cut sneaker and skinny jean is so endearing, I think.

White lo-top Converses – the view beneath my desk.

Awkward pose to show the faux suede elbow patches on my sweater. If my boss is reading this – it was my lunch break! I eat at my desk.

This notebook makes me smile.

.   .   .

x

P.S.: I was just reminded why I don’t can’t wear sneakers on a daily basis. The obligatory bathroom trips (let’s be mature here, we’re all human, girls inclusive) — just a few skips and a hop away from my cubicle, usually run smoothly. I get up, walk, and go.  Pas de problème. Take away standard pumps from the girl, and what do you know: I’ve tripped on myself EVERY SINGLE TIME, both ways. If I was the type to turn red with embarrassment, I would.

P.P.S.: My parenthetical asides have gone out of hand.