There was a time when I hated that outfit. You know the one - it’s casual enough that you look like a dork if you pick a dressy kind of shoe, but yet nice enough that normal tennis shoes are out of the question. Just a few short years ago, we didn’t have many choices for those outfits. And what if you wanted to take a dressy outfit and make it more casual? Sandals were pretty much your only good option.
The shoemakers have answered our prayers, creating an entirely new category of shoes for both men and women - the “nice” sneaker. Some look like bowling shoes and others look like dress shoes of canvas and still others just look like nice tennis shoes, but they’re all wonderful. Here are a couple of my favorites:
The geox - Women’s Snake S/O
: I’m not sure where they’re getting the “snake part, but they’re definitely cute.


Remember when you couldn’t tie your own shoes? Somehow, these black L.A. Gear sneakers seem a lot cooler when the velcro is a choice, not a necessity. I’m actually kind of digging the L.A. Gear - Women’s Advance
. At about $30, I don’t even have to think twice about buying them.


If you love the bowling shoe look, check out these Dexter - Women’s SST 7
. You don’t get much more authentic than that. Whether you’re wearing them out on the street or down at the lanes, you’re bound to impress someone. And if you wear them to an actual bowling alley, you won’t have to worry about picking up some strange foot disease from the community shoes (which could be disastrous as we’re heading into sandal season!).


I’m always up for a little 80s nostalgia, but please, for the love of all that is holy, do not wear these next shoes. Unless you’re wearing leg warmers and a scrunchy. And attending a Halloween party dressed as an 80s aerobics instructor.
Actually, now that I think about it…that could be kind of hot.
Reebok - Women’s Freestyle Hi Des


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