I have done statement dresses, statement shoes, statement earrings, statement skirts, statement everything, but even relatively recently, I would have been incredulous at the thought of wearing statement sneakers. But fashions change, as do people – see my recent post for proof of the latter. So here I am, in 2019, loving my rather non-modest Nike trainers (I’m just going to use ‘trainers’ and ‘sneakers’ interchangeably, Brits and Americans be damned).

I have been talking about sporty footwear for a while now, so this shouldn’t come as a surprise. There are several elements that have come together to produce this perfect sneaker-storm. First, I am going to be 40 soon and I rate comfort more these days than my ability to display my legs in the most alluring fashion at all times. I still love heels, but I wear them in the office and for parties and events. Second, my aesthetic in general has changed, admittedly also with significant help from the athleisure and other relevant trends. Third, I am serious about walking my 10000 steps or more, which is only doable and enjoyable in extremely comfortable shoes. And nothing is as comfortable as trainers.

The choices have also broadened and diversified, so there are many options to choose from: white and minimal, crazy and expensive, pretty and pastel, properly sporty. I do love the ones that are actually meant for exercise: they have a coolness that comes from utility and they are the most comfortable. But sometimes nothing but the slight insanity of a fashion sneaker* will do.

My Nike Technos used to fill that slot in my shoe wardrobe and they are still great. However, as soon as I saw these new multicolured Nikes, I was lost. I believe they are called Air Max 270 React Bauhaus Multi which is, indeed, entirely silly. On the other hand, it’s very easy to ignore the name and just focus on the 80s-inspired cheerfulness of this pair.

I love the colour combination: it might seem that it makes them hard to wear, but because of the multitude of shades, these actually match well with a wide range of colours. They are also more versatile than you might initially think: I believe our eyes are getting used to seeing sneakers with different silhouettes. Not only do these work with jeans (obviously), they also look good with a black trouser suit (on this more next week), mini skirts and floaty dresses.

My only complaint is that for a sporty shoe, these aren’t quite as comfortable as I’d like. They are of course much easier to wear than any heels or most flats, but they aren’t as effortless as my proper gym trainers. While I expect this to pass in a week or two, I’m still somewhat disappointed. There is nothing more pointless in my view than uncomfortable flat shoes.

How do you feel about the rise of the sneaker? Do you think it heralds the fall of the Western civilization?

Shoes by Nike, images by Getter Kuusmaa.

*I realise that this pair is made by a sport brand, but it’s nevertheless a lifestlye/fashion shoe. It has more in common with Balenciaga Triple S than it has with anything you’d wear to the gym.