Too old for sneakers?

Anyone else feel this way?

I'm 31, fit, but not particularly sporty, tall with an athletic build. Every time I wear sneakers I feel like a big -- huge? -- kid. My only sneakers are Sambas, which I wear to the gym. Otherwise, in the summertime, I wear loafers.

In theory, I'd like to get comfortable sneaker-like shoes for long walks, traveling, the beach, the pool, etc., and because of all the sales I've been looking at lots of CPs and Margiela Replica sneakers, and also at cheaper sneakers like the McNairy x Pro Keds. But that said, every time I try wearing sneakers in a non-athletic context, I feel undignified. I think I just like the non-athletic look of loafers or even boat shoes more.

I've been getting drawn to comfortable casual non-sneaker shoes like these:



... but I suspect that they won't really fill the void: I mean, how much more comfortable can they be than the loafers I already own?

Maybe I'm nuts, who knows. But I'm curious: anyone else on here in the same boat? What do you wear during those times when you could be wearing sneakers but don't? Have you found some non-sneaker sneaker, or do you just wear Dad sneakers, like New Balance?

I'm with ya, man. I'm 33 and have tried the sneaker thing. Old school Pumas, Adidas Rod Lavers, Common Projects, and they never feel right. The compromise I've made is Sanuks. They're as casual as I get.

Are you dressing SW&D or MC-lite? Because that may be your problem.

I'm in between somewhere. I wear a lot of 'streetwear' brands, like Wings + Horns or Gitman Vintage, but in a sort of thirty-something way. I teach at a university, so my day to day life is sort of in that middle area.

Originally Posted by GraphicNovelty

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Are you dressing SW&D or MC-lite? Because that may be your problem.

This. It's a state of mind thing.

this is bull ****..

31 is not too old for sneakers.

i'm coming up on 30 quick at 29 right now.

with respect to you, the issue is YOU not being able to wear sneakers. Not being too old @ 31 or rsharp @ 33.

just keep it simple. no branding. minimal and versatile. (e.g. gum soled white common projects).

i have however made a rule that I won't wear hi tops post any sort of significant hair loss/balding. I don't think those two mix.

edit;

Originally Posted by transient

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This. It's a state of mind thing.

+1, and those sneakers look good on that dude despite my "minimal" note above.

31 better not be too old for sneakers, because I am 36 and I wear them a lot. Try something classic like and adidas shell toe, and you are good to go.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying that sneaker-wearing dudes my own age are immature or something. Everyone's different.

And I know it's a state-of-mind thing -- what else would it be? -- but I don't see why that should matter. I'm married, teach at a university, and I guess just don't tend to dress that casually. Slack, you and I own a lot of the same W+H pieces. but you wear them in a much more casual way than I do.... I guess my wardrobe has just evolved away from that sort of casual sneaker vibe.

Originally Posted by transient

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This guy pretty much embodies what I meant by 'looking like a big -- huge? -- kid."

^those look horrible on him

I just got my buddy into cps, black summer editions to be exact and he loves them. He's 40 and has no problems with swag.

Originally Posted by mr bunbury

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This guy pretty much embodies what I meant by 'looking like a big -- huge? -- kid."
Lol. And I thought I was the only one looking at it and go, "dude those sneakers don't go with those pin strips at all." Maybe it's in the state of mind that y'all think you look good in it. Just kidding. I've seen some 30+ pull of sneakers. Keep it simple like pro-keds. Don't go for teen brands like Vans or something. Edit: Just remembered. You could try the new Nike tennis ones. Forgot the full name. They look pretty simple yet nice.

Originally Posted by ArliHawk`

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31 better not be too old for sneakers, because I am 36 and I wear them a lot. Try something classic like and adidas shell toe, and you are good to go.

+1

this.

the problem is your mindset in the sense that you think sneakers are "kids shoes." They're only kids shoes in your mind. You must unlearn what you have learned.
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I dunno if you're too old for sneakers but you're definitely too young for loafers, yuck!