Question : How hard can it be trying to find a pair of black trainers?
Answer : Quite hard actually.
My head has been basically doing this for the last few weeks.
Black Gazelles? Black Nike Roshe? Black Gazelles? Black Nike Roshe? Black Gazelles? Black Nike Roshe? x Gazillion.
My brain said old skool - the Gazelles were classic and would go the distance. So I bought a pair and tried them on at home and I decided ... I didn't like them on me. The thing is, I looked at the navy ones before the black ones and in the navy, they do a junior version and I prefer the shape of the toe on the junior version to the womens design. The women's style (here) is narrower and more tapered at the front and doesn't suit my legs (strange but true). The junior version (here) is a little rounder at the toe and just work better on me. It's horses for courses - it's up to you what you like.
So I've gone with the Nike Roshe. They are plain as plain can be. The white soles help lift the whole design a little - all black and it all looks too heavy on me. The shape of the toe is wider than on my old New Balance 410's which I didn't get on with as they were too narrow at the front for me as well. If my footwear is a touch wider at the front, it helps balance out the carrot legs. And I like the black and white laces - it breaks up the mass of black. Little deets. Little deets.
They are also the lightest footwear around - they're like the Maltesers of the shoe world. Light as a feather and some people might not like them when they first get them as they are also very thin and may seem a little insubstantial. If you prefer something with a little more to it - the Nike Air Max Theas might be the ones for you. Oh and the inside sole is ribbed which feels a little strange but guess what? I stuck my fleecy insoles in and I was sorted. I took them out for the first time today for a 4 hour out and about stint and they were just fine with no breaking in issues.
Anyway, I hope I haven't got this wrong. I know what I'm like with black footwear.
Which are you? Old skool or new school?
They are also the lightest footwear around - they're like the Maltesers of the shoe world. Light as a feather and some people might not like them when they first get them as they are also very thin and may seem a little insubstantial. If you prefer something with a little more to it - the Nike Air Max Theas might be the ones for you. Oh and the inside sole is ribbed which feels a little strange but guess what? I stuck my fleecy insoles in and I was sorted. I took them out for the first time today for a 4 hour out and about stint and they were just fine with no breaking in issues.
Anyway, I hope I haven't got this wrong. I know what I'm like with black footwear.
Which are you? Old skool or new school?
-----------------------------
Last Note :
The Nike Roshe One used to be known as the Nike Roshe Run. Just incase there's any confusion when you're looking around.
Oh and I thought I'd throw in a little bit of visual encouragement here so you can see why I plumped for these. Just ignore the fact that my legs are a foot shorter than everyone else featured :(
Source
Looking at those pics, I think I'm going to be wearing a lot of black this winter #blackisback
I fear I could be following suit again with these Sue! They look super light and comfy, not to mention so stylish too.....just how I like my footwear to be! As much as I love a bit of old school I am very tempted by these newbies as well! :0) xx
ReplyDeleteYou have your black Converse - they will do the trick and still have that cool factor. I was thinking how well they served you last winter - I even started looking for shearling lined leather ones at one point!
DeleteI do not believe it!!! I have been scouring Pinterest for inspiration and I had just about settled on these. I am also pondering grey or a camel colour too. Arghh. First world problems. I love these on you. Does your' Husband like them? Just wondered as my Hubby refused to be seen with me, in London, if I dared to wear my Stan Smiths?! H xx
ReplyDeleteGrey and camel are softer coloured options which probably are much easier to work with actually. Normally I would go for these shades and the black is a step away from my usual comfort area in footwear. It will be interesting to see which way you go. And no my hubs doesn't have a problem with me wearing anything like these (as long as I'm not fine dining with him) and besides he hasn't actually seen me in them. He's out of the house when I'm in my pj's and back when I've got back in them. But no problem with the Stans - I did the whole Amsterdam trip in them earlier this year and as far as I know, he didn't mind them (or he didn't say).
DeleteThey look elegant on you. I've been looking for a pair for some time but have yet to find an (affordable) color combo I like. I finally found a pair of new balance that don't make me look like a slob. That took forever. Why are trainers so hard to get right (at least for petites)? What worked in the end was I found a more feminine color combination of grey and lavander. The Roshes were even more comfy, though, you're right about that! However I will try and be happy with my one pair and NOT start hoarding trainers...
ReplyDeleteElegant. That is something - I didn't think that was possible with my little stumpy legs. I do find that with something like this, the whole way to go is to keep it monochromatic. It's only a recent discovery but with the trainers, it's the whole toe shape and feel of the trainer which determines whether they work well for my legs. The NB's I had were much more traditional trainer styled but narrowed to the front whereas these Nikes actually widen sufficiently at a point to balance the way my legs look. Honest! Might be fun for you to try a pair just to see the difference.
Deleteenough with the enabling! I have been perusing these and a few similars in earnest and, like you, have been unable to make a decision. (TYPICAL GEMINI!) I do not do well woth trainers, but the skate shoe has braodened my horizons somewhat and I am now dipping my toe into this black trainer water...While I decide I have dug an old pair of Nikes of one of my boys (their feet were once smaller than mine!) out of the loft and may start with them...#blackneverleft #blackisthenewblack xx
ReplyDeleteOh I've not come to this decision lightly. I took a while to come round to the Stans last year and they have been my best footwear buy for a long time - they have been worth every penny. I know I won't defer to these in the same way because they're a mesh fabric and that means I can feel the wind through them. Great on the warmer days but a bit "fresh" on other days even with sheepskin liners in. Now get those trainers of yours on and see how you go!
DeleteYeah you have joined the Black Nike gang, welcome. You went for the Roshe.... good choice, I went for the Theas like you say I wanted something with more substance for dog walking. The white sole do keep them looking fresh and they look great on you and I can see them working so much with your cool style. xx
ReplyDeleteThere was a slight reluctance to pay the extra for the Theas as I know I could be making a mistake buying black trainers so I took the middle ground instead. So far, I've had them on twice this week but they do dictate the entire outfit I wear. With the Stans, just about anything goes and I have to say, I'm definitely more a tennis shoe girl.
DeleteI love them - I have black internationalists and black nike air max - more substantial but I love wearing them as you have here with all black! Great choice - much better than the Gazelles in black!
ReplyDeleteI just knew you had to have a pair tucked away ... or two! Thanks for the vote of confidence!
DeleteVery cute, Sue! I'm still at a loss on how to cuff my jeans--you have that down pat though.
ReplyDeleteOh it's very haphazard what I do - it's just whatever feels comfortable. A little flash of ankle is good for me. Too high and I look like like I'm wearing crops with my short legs!
DeleteI have the Air Max Thea in black with white soles and a white "swoosh" - I guess they'll do the trick :) Excellent inspiration!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! I needed the inspiration to give me a nudge in the right direction.
DeleteOh Susie - they're the most comfortable shoes!
ReplyDeleteYou've inspired me. I'm going to wear my Nike Roshe with an all black outfit tomorrow - afterall, it will be Friday!
Hi Fiona, I was a little unsure when I got them as they were so light but I've got used to that and to also not wear them on cold days as the wind whistles through the mesh doesn't it?
DeleteBut tomorrow sounds good - Black Friday :o) I might join you there!
Grrr, I love these, but they are just to long and narrow for my size 8's. I went through a similar crisis (first world problems and all that) a month or two ago, and ended up with a pair of all black Nike Air Pegasus for the bargain price of £36. I still feel a little odd wearing 'proper' trainers for anything other than exercise, but at least if I don't wear them that often, I haven't broken the bank on them! xx
ReplyDeleteHi Sue! I'm getting back into blog reading after a busy month. How are you getting on with these? I am in the market for a pair. I have bought 3 pairs of trainers so far and feel I'm still in search of the perfect pair.... I've seen these around and they seem to look good on most people. You are once again rocking a good look!
ReplyDelete