We’ve seen sneakers go from athletic use to casual wear to stealing the spotlight with fashion elitists. Finding the right pair of sneakers on a budget can be a difficult mission. Classic heritage brands are a go-to for this situation. Here are my top five picks for relatively affordable white sneakers that’ll match any closet.
- Reebok’s Club C 85 Model Vintage
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These beautifully minimal Reebok’s pair well for those who love a clean, neutral-toned aesthetic. Soft leather is a great material to dress up or down as it’s so versatile, plus the stitch pattern throughout adds a little bit more depth to the shoe. I personally pair these with a baggier and lengthy pant to play into the old school silhouette that the Reeboks have. And the best feature of these shoes has to be the $70 price tag, which is fairly inexpensive for a nice pair of shoes.
Shop here:
https://www.reebok.com/us/club-c-85-model-vintage-women-s-shoes/BS8242.html
(On a personal note, CLUB C REVENGE SHOES at $70 and the CLUB C 1985 TV MODEL VINTAGE SHOES at $90 and are a few of my personal favorites. The 1985 TV MODEL’s are a bit more expensive, but they’re worth checking out.)
- Nike’s Blazer Mid ’77 Vintage
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Nike’s high top Blazer was introduced back in the 70’s, originally as a basketball shoe. Reimagined, the shoes are now released as a casual sneaker priced at $100. The Blazers come in 5 different colors — white, black, orange, blue, and pink, but customizable color options are available on the website.
Shop here:
- New Balance’s 624
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“Dad shoes” have been very popular for quite some time. The 624’s from New Balance are not just a good dad shoe, but are also the original dad shoe we’ve all seen and loved. Fortunately, these New Balance sneakers are in stock, unlike many of their other must-have shoes. The 574 Cores have a retro silhouette that juxtaposes with many contemporary styles in a playful way.
Shop here:
https://www.newbalance.com/pd/womens-new-balance-624/WX624-V2.html
- Asics’ Gel Kinsei OG
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The Gel Kinsei OG’s have quite a reputable clientele with e-commerce planners at Kith and Rilka Noel, who has described the sneakers as her “current and probably forever” favorites. The silhouette is reminiscent of the 2000’s technical era of shoewear. The gel soles that are designed for runners provide both technical and aesthetic support. At $180, these shoes are above the median price range in comparison to my other picks, but not to worry — Amazon is currently selling them at $124.
Shop here:
https://www.asics.com/us/en-us/gel-kinsei-og/p/ANA_1022A111-100.html?width=Standard
- Feiyue’s Fe Lo Classic Women
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Feiyue’s Fe Lo Classic Women
To make up for my last pricier recommendation, Feiyue’s Fe Lo classic is the cheapest stylistic shoe I’ve come across, with a $24.99 price tag. These super low sole shoes contain the classic blue and red colorway seen throughout the shoe industry. What makes these shoes unique is the curved silhouette and chunkier toe. For an everyday sneaker, the Fe Lo’s are the perfect choice.
Shop here:
https://feiyue-shoes.com/collections/frontpage/products/fe-lo-classic-white-1
As I said at the start, finding the right pair of sneakers while on a budget can be tough. From brands such as Nike, New Balance, and Asics, heritage companies provide the best footwear on a budget. These timeless pieces will take you anywhere from the casual grocery run to a night out (although that option can be saved for the future, post-COVID.) While the sneaker industry may not be as widespread in women’s street fashion, there are definitely some hidden gems scattered throughout.