White shoes…
I don’t really like white shoes. I don’t even like white boots, and you know I love boots! I think it’s the sharp contrast between my legs and the shoes. I haven’t worn white shoes in years. I think the last ones I had were some Keds slip ons in the early 90s! But, I caved and bought a pair of Adidas Stan Smith sneakers last summer.
Stan Smith…
Stan Smith is a real person! When I was looking for these, I just figured he was a designer or maybe just a name someone at Adidas decided to stick on the shoes. But, the real Stan Smith is a former professional tennis player. In fact, he won the 1971 US Open and the 1972 Wimbledon Singles championship. Also in 1972, Smith was the year end world No. 1 singles player. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987 and currently serves as the President of that organization. If you are really into tennis, you can read more here.
A little more…
Originally, these shoes were the Robert Haillet (he was a French tennis player) sneaker and first appeared on the scene in 1965. In 1978, they were renamed for Stan Smith after Haillet retired. Unlike other Adidas sneakers, the Stan Smith versions do not have the ubiquitous three stripes. Instead, they have three lines of perforations. Smith (the person, not the shoe) agreed to having his name on the shoes for the royalties (surprise, surprise). He signed a contract with Adidas in 1973, but the shoes featured the name Haillet and Smith’s portrait on the tongue for several years. In 1978, they officially became the Stan Smith sneakers. If you’d like more information, you can read more here.
Last summer…
My granddaughter had some of these, and I thought they looked really cute on her. I think my oldest son had a pair of the clamshell Adidas sneakers when he was in high school. I didn’t want those, and I didn’t want any with stripes on them. Ironically, the Adidas Samba sneaker is having a moment. You can read Alison Gary’s (Wardrobe Oxygen) post here. I bought a pair of the Stan Smith sneakers for our vacation to Hilton Head last summer. I can’t say these are the most comfortable sneakers I’ve ever worn, but they are much better with my insoles in them! I wore them with my Lilly Pulitzer dresses when we went out and about.
Too bright…
Now, I really like the pairing of a dress with sneakers. I have even worn some recently. You can read that post here. But, there’s just something about these sneakers that don’t float my boat! I think it’s because they’re too pristine…too white and bright. They need a good scuffing and to be worn and broken in. In order to get that, though, they have to be worn. And, I don’t think they look good enough to be worn. See my dilemma? Vicious cycle, right?
A challenge…
I apologize to the blogger who wrote this post…please let me know in the comments! Anyway, Ms. Blogger’s post featured a pair of white sneakers/shoes. I commented I liked them on her but just didn’t like them on me. I also said something about having this set of photos I hadn’t used yet. Jodie said I should post them and see what you all thought! As I’ve got four posts to do this week, I decided this was the week to do it!
Going out on a limb…
OK, so this is your chance to tell me what’s wrong (or right) with these sneakers/look! I think the shoes are too shiny bright and new. I also think they come too far up on my foot and come across as clunky. I would love a pair of Golden Goose sneakers that already have that worn in look so if anyone would like to buy me a pair, I’d happily accept them! Here is the pair I’d settle for, but if you want to make my day, these are even better! I mean, they’re hand distressed in Italy. Maybe, for the price, George Clooney is the one doing the scuffing!
The outfit…
This is another of Garnet Hill’s Siren dresses. I’ve shown several of them over the summer. I cannot, for the life of me, understand why retailers discontinue things like this! This dress makes anyone look fabulous! It’s easy care, has pockets, and was a decent price. I could probably find a link to a used one, but I dislike doing that as I can’t guarantee quality or authenticity. I can’t remember if it was the same year or the next year, but they also produced one of the Signature Merino Sweaters in the same print (it may or may not live in my closet)! I know this is off topic, but if you need quality merino cardigans, these cardigans are wonderful! They wear like iron and are so classic. I’m not going to say I have a lot, but I could go for more than a few weeks wearing a different one! I have been collecting them for at least 15 years! And, my oldest looks every bit as good as the last one I bought probably three to four years ago.
The Lewk!
Well, hmmm…what completed the Lewk? Oh, yeah! Stan Smith sneakers! Oh, these have really gone up in price! I wore this earring and necklace set I bought at J Jill a few years ago. I like the way the necklace filled in my décolletage and draws the eye away from my bosoms. This is a versatile set I’ve worn with many different outfits.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I really do want to love my Stan Smith sneakers. I want them all grungy and distressed. Does anyone have George Clooney’s number? So, can we talk? What is wrong with my sneakers? If I distress them (artificially if I have to), will that make them look better? Or, are these a jeans/pants pair of sneakers only? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk! I promise to get back to you as soon as possible!
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I adore my white sneakers while I was at first like you, never liked white shoes. So wear them. What I think, and who am I but since you are asking, is that I find it a bit strange to wear closed shoes with a sleeveless dress. If you would wear a thin cardigan over the dress it would look great, to me anyway. But that’s me, I never wear tights and shirt sleeves, or bare legs and long sleeves. Get the feeling???
Thanks, Nancy! I think that may be just the thing…it’s the nakedness of the dress with the sneakers!
That is too funny because I am the exact opposite when it comes to white shoes… I like them when they are nice and perfectly white but once they get scuffed or dingy looking I tend to either not wear them or try to wash/ clean them. That said I hardly ever, ever, ever wear sneakers of any kind… with anything! I think my feet look funny and oddly small in sneakers.
Hahaha!! And, I think my feet look like I’m wearing gigantic marshmallows on them!!! If I wear sneakers, they are more the slip on kind which probably don’t even count as sneakers!
Thanks, Joanne, for coming by!
I think the sneakers look fabulous with this dress! The proportions are perfect. This dress fits you live a glove and I adore the print and color.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks, Kathrine! Well, if you say the proportion are perfect, then I’m going to run with that!!!
I’m trying to see why you don’t like this Marsha. All I see is wonderfulness. Seriously. Maybe it’s because it’s what I see on lots of other women. So it looks very normal and modern and cute.
Sometimes we have a history with pieces and I think that clouds our judgement. I hope you keep wearing these with dresses because it’s fabulous.
One of these days I’ll tell you the story with my history and white jackets.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks, Jodie! I see the same on women here and think they look fabulous. But, I just feel like I’m trying a wee bit too hard! I know, I know…it’s all in my head!!!
I love a pair of bright white shoes! I think you should get some inspiration from pinterest and try a few different outfits before committing and distressing them. You never know what you might find and if it could work for you!
Thanks for the suggestion, Laura! I hadn’t thought of checking Pinterest! I will do that!
If they are clunky, it means they are probably uncomfortable which is the worst thing in the world when it comes to foot wear. They are nice but that doesn’t mean much if they aren’t comfortable and functional. Great post hope your having a great week.
https://www.bauchlefashion.com
Thanks, Heather! They aren’t clunky in feeling just in looks! They are very comfortable with my inserts, and they’re easy to wear. I’m just not sure about them with my dresses!
I think it’s a cute look but if I were the one wearing it, it wouldn’t feel right to me either. I would feel like the dress needs a ballet flat instead of sneakers…but maybe with a denim jacket the sneakers would feel more right? I like the look of Stan Smiths but they’re not right for my style, and I feel clunky wearing sneakers with a skirt/dress in most cases.
Ah, a denim jacket may be what it needed! While I love the look of a ballet flat, they just don’t work for my wonky foot! I need lots and lots of support. Although as I type that I realize there probably are ballet flats that are supportive!
Thanks for the suggestions, Sally!
It may have been my blog that you made that comment on! Last week I posted about wearing sneakers and your comment mentioned your Stan Smith’s. I think your sneakers are fine on your feet but you might need a more casual dress to pair them with. Good for you for posting something you’re not sure of, it’s a great way to get feedback. I can’t wait to see what you get out of this experience!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! It was definitely your blog! I apologize for not realizing that! I am going to keep trying with these shoes…one way or another, they are going to work!
Just like Jodie’s comment I think this outfit is great. The dress is lovely and the cut really suits you and I love the sneakers.
And, not only do I know who Stan Smith is I’ve seen him playing at Wimbledon! I was a tennis fan from a very early age and the we reached sixth-form at our school we all went to Wimbledon for the day. Oh the excitement, the crowds, the sitting in that arena, just wow. I dot think I actually saw Stan Smith then, that would’ve been in the early 60s when I was 16 and 17!! What I remember most was the tanned legs of both the women and the men! British people in those days didn’t have tanned legs or tanned anywhere else for that matter!
Great post and made me think back to those glorious Wimbledon visits!
I’m glad I gave you another trip down Memory Lane, Penny! I honestly didn’t have any idea that Stan Smith was an actual person let alone a fairly famous one! I’m sure Wimbledon is an amazing place to visit…especially when you’re in school. And, those tanned bodies always strike me, too! I used to lie out in the sun to get a tan…deeply regret that now!
Thank you…I will try to wear the sneakers more to break them in and grunge them up a bit!
You always share such interesting information, my friend. I really enjoyed learning about Stan Smith and the history of these Adidas sneakers. I do love a good pairing of sneakers with dresses but, like you, I am not a fan of bright white clean sneakers at all. And like you, I rarely wear sneakers so it takes about a decade to get the proper amount of natural distressing from wear. I have no idea how to artificially distress sneakers so I would just continue wearing them as is and eventually they will get perfectly distressed. It might take until I’m 90, but I will be the coolest 90 year old ever! I really like black Adidas and the Golden Goose sneakers are wicked cute. But I will never pay $500 plus for a pair of sneakers! Cowgirl boots, maybe, but not sneakers!
Shelbee
Thanks, Shelbee! I honestly thought Stan Smith was a designer…duh! I have thought of giving them to my granddaughter and having her wear them, but her feet are still smaller than mine! And, yes, I love the look of Golden Goose sneakers…but geez!! They need to put themselves on my feet, tie their own strings, and dance the minuet for that price! I know there are knock offs, but I would know! I just need to google it because I’m sure there’s a way…or probably on Pinterest!!!