14 comfortable sneakers that you can wear anywhere
Easy to style and endlessly versatile, these are the sneakers that you can wear on pretty much any day of the year
By Hana Lee and Michelle Lee -
If you asked us for our choice of footwear that we’d wear every day, it’d undoubtedly be sneakers. Pick the right one, and they become your go-to for casual days out, running errands, dressy dinners (but maybe not black-tie events), or on vacation. A pair of versatile sneakers is a cornerstone of any shoe collection, which is why we have taken it upon ourselves to trawl the web for 14 pairs you might love. Happy shopping!
If you love textures in your apparels, this one might be right up your alley. The quilted denim finish makes this a standout among regular canvas or leather finish. These are great for days you want to dress simple, but still want to look stylish. Pair these versatile sneakers with a plain dress, or a simple tee-and-jeans combo. The sneakers are an online-exclusive, and are available in other colours and textures.
Love a good print? Go for these polka-dot design that oozes personality. These canvas sneakers are adorned with Comme des Garcons Play’s signature heart motif, and are available in two colourways: white and black. Wear these with an all-black outfit for a pop of colour. This is a collaboration with Converse, so if you love how Converse shoes fit on you, chances are, you’d love these too.
As a sneaker fan, we can tell you there is very few sneakers that give the “walking on cushion” feeling like the Mexico 66 does. We reckon it’s due to the OrthoLite inner sole, which gives “superior cushioning”. The design is simple and sleek, perfect for those who are look for understated elegance. The shoes are unisex, and there’s even a kids’ version, so why not wear it with your whole family, so everyone can enjoy comfy shoes together? We’d definitely pack these for travels, too, since they’re so lightweight! The silhouette is quite narrow, so if you have wider feet, give it a try at the store before carting out.
Looking for a pair of leather sneakers that don’t come with a hefty price tag? Polo Ralph Lauren will leave you spoilt for choices. These come with the brand’s signature pony logo, and a brown heel tab as accent. Even if you have bought a pair of Polo Ralph Lauren sneakers before, it’s best to try the sizes in store, especially if it’s a different model, because their cutting can be quite different.
Another tip: even if the item is not available online, they might have stocks in stores, and you can easily check for stocks on the website.
So the sleek sneakers aren’t your thing. We get it. If you love a good streetwear vibe, but want to keep things simple for everyday use, try the Kenzo-Dome trainers. They borrowed the look of the 1990s skate shoe style, but levelled up with grained leather finish. They are described as having triple overstitching for extra strength, so this might be great for people who are constantly putting their footwear to the test by clocking in tens of thousands of steps a day, and activities that are a stop short of exercising.
If high-tops are your kind of sneakers, but you want something ~luxurious~, you might want to sit up for this: these trainers from Chanel’s Cruise 2023/24 collection might be what you’re looking for. They come in super cute colourways of mint green and pastel pink, so definitely something a girly girl would adore. If you are looking for something a bit more elegant, Chanel has quite range of versatile sneakers you can choose from.
There are moments in life when you need that added height, and this one’s perfect to act as that confidence booster. It comes with a 5cm platform heel, so you can look taller without putting any strain on your feet. We also love the pink stripe accent that runs from the sides to the back! The model runs big, so if you’re in between size, you are advised to size down.
Veja has been gaining popularity in recent years, partly because they are one of the few mainstream brands that use eco-friendly materials. The Brazil-born brand uses 100 per cent organic cotton for the shoes’ upper, lining and laces, while the soles are made of Amazonian rubber and rice waste. The good news is, the brand is now more readily available in Singapore. Apart from TANGS, they can also be found in The Editor’s Market. We particularly love the Veja Campo Chromefree Leather in White Paros, which comes with a pop of cobalt blue.
Women’s Super-Star with gray star and dark gray glitter heel tab, $910, Golden Goose
If you are a sneaker aficionado, you’d probably be familiar with Golden Goose. The Italian brand is known for its distressed look that would make the mother in us shake our head in disbelief if our children’s shoes were in similar states. But on us, it’s fashion. We got our eye on these, which come with the brand’s signature star design, but our attention is on the glitter heel tab, which can instantly jazz up any outfit. Love! These versatile sneakers would match dresses, denim jeans, or even a pair of dressy pants!
Sneakers that are resort-friendly? They exist! These slingbacks from Superga is perfect for that beach holiday, where you want to look dressed up for dinner, but need your shoes to come off easily on the beach. Talk about versatile sneakers! They are also a great footwear option when you’re visiting the parents or in-laws on weekends, and need the shoes to come on and off easily. Convenience is not the only thing that had us sold on these – the laces mimic the look of nautical ropes! The details! These come in two colourways: white and blue.
Aside from its iconic line of Dumpling Bags, Beyond The Vines has its own Canvas Sneaker series that’s designed for everyday ease and utilitarian practicality. Made with 12-oz cotton canvas for sturdy durability, the sneakers feature a classic low-top silhouette (Type 01 Design), that’s available in two colour series, Solid (Series 01) and Colourblock (Series 02).
There are also fun shoelace sets ($8) in various styles and patterns.
A classic pair of white sneakers can never go out of style. And if you’re looking for a sophisticated and versatile pair that will take you through the years, then consider this pair from New Balance. Boasting a clean and pared-back look, the unisex New Balance 550 shoes offer a cleaner take on the heavy-duty designs of the late ‘80s. What’s more, these kicks are also well-loved by A-listers including Bella Hadid, Rihanna, Hailey and Justin Bieber, Emily Ratajkowski, Laura Harrier and Kendall Jenner.
You can’t go wrong with a classic pair of Sambas from Adidas. Originally designed as an indoor soccer shoe, the classic pair has since been upgraded to a street-style favourite. As previously seen on Bella Hadid, the style star usually styles her off-duty model look with a pair of white socks for a more sporty, feminine vibe.
If you’re looking for something similar to the Adidas Samba sneakers, you can also consider the Nike Low 77. Boasting an old-school look, this pair of classic, streetwear sneakers is a great go-to if you prefer something a little more casual, but still, look put together.
This article was originally published in Singapore Women's Weekly.