Appearing everywhere from runways to red carpets, sneakers aren’t only for athletics. But with a multitude of styles, colors and fits, the world of sneakers can feel huge — how do you even begin? For those looking to get in on this top style aesthetic, we spoke to sneaker expert and former footwear brand director Sean McMillan to help make sneaker choices matching your lifestyle and personality.
Get Fit
First and foremost, McMillan notes most people don’t wear the proper size sneakers. “Life is a sport, right? And so, you need something that fits,” he says. Before you begin your sneaker journey, go to an athletic shoe store and get fitted. “Actually get your foot measured, get the width checked out and start to keep in mind what shoes you have felt to be comfortable,” he says. This will help you start understanding what sneakers you want to buy later. Be open to new styles as well — you never know what your feet will love if you don’t try them.
Work Your Core
From there, McMillan says, you’ll want to build a core collection of three to five sneaker staples of high-quality build and durability. “If I’m looking for a core shoe, I’m looking for a shoe that I can wear half a week and be happy as far as comfort, versatility and style,” he says. The shoe should be able to go on a date, to the office, be worn on the weekend or all three. He recommends retro styles of running shoes, basketball shoes and tennis shoes in particular. You can also choose pairs with a color accent you can wear regularly. Multiple core pairs are important, McMillan says, because it gives the shoes time to breathe and makes them last longer.
Play It Up
After building your core collection, have fun with color, material, pattern and style. “You can play around with color, especially when you know you don’t have to wear this orange and purple sneaker every day,” McMillan says. You shouldn’t be afraid to experiment with aesthetics, but you should always remain mindful of your wardrobe: you don’t want something that’s going to sit on your shelf like a toy. “Things fall apart,” McMillan says. “You want something that’s wearable, that’s fashionable, that would make sense with your personal style.”