I Bought New Shoes... Again
[ 9 May 2009 ]
Yesterday, I was a woman on a mission. I am overhauling my entire life, & part of that includes starting running again. So I needed shoes to exercise in, but even beyond that, I just needed something comfortable. All I have here in New York are high — & I do mean high, you’ve seen my shoes! — heels & flat boots, neither of which are much good for serious walking, let alone running.
I approached Broadway stealthily. I went into shops I never, ever go into, like Lady Foot Locker, admiring the clever colour combinations & holographic panels, but not really seeing anything that leapt out at me. I knew that theoretically I should be looking at the “running shoes” section, but they are so ugly. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I felt despair. I almost turned around.
But then… at the back of the store… I saw these. Twinkling; sparkling; eye-gouging — & I immediately knew they were the shoes for me. I didn’t even try on anything else. I LOVE THEM. They are super-sonic, hyper-pink, super-saturated, gloriously exhilarating… In other words, perfect. Yum.
Here’s to not twisting an ankle! (I used to run in Reebok Ice Creams, so I should be okay… right?!)
Love letters & feather headdresses,
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Those are really cute. I held off buying running shoes for a year before I finally settled on an okay looking pair!
Those are adorable! I agree running shoes are really ugly. I wear new balance “walking” shoes instead. =)
Running shoes are always so ugly I think and just don’t suit me, but they are so ‘you’!
i love them! they would completely motivate me to take up running.
i went shoe shopping today aswell, looking for some practical but stylish shoes to see me through the awkward change-from-spring-to-summer period in the UK but had no luck, nothing stood out to me particularly.
again, those are gorgeous, nice find. :) xx
Helen — Thanks! They match my hair perfectly, it was meant to be!
Maya — YES! Exactly! They seem really magical to me, how can you not feel like a superhuman when you’re wearing them?! My next shoe assignment is sandals or something open for summer. They are the worst kind of shoes to shop for, seriously. Total nightmare :<
so cute! and… pink! omg.
but I can’t imagine running in those. you’d need to pry my asics from my cold, dead, hands.
(if you’re going to run in them, PLEASE make sure you get good insoles! non-running shoes don’t usually have good enough support, especially if you tend to pronate, and will make you much more prone to knee and hip injuries)
is it just a coincidence that you and nubby both have done sneaker posts in the last week? i think not… i have also been looking for a good pair of workout shoes. curse being a vain girl…
Gosh, they are pretty! I wonder if I could get a pair of trainers that matched my hair? There must be a gap in the market for this kind of thing…?
emelline — I will indeed buy insoles. Thank you for the heads up!
natalee — Actually just after I posted this, I remembered that Nubs had written about her silver spaceman sneakers! She & I are psychically linked, of course ;D
Ria — Mmmmmmmm, colour coordination ‘TIL DEATH!
Gala, now that you are part of the running “community” (new fancy shoes really is the first initiation) you should find some new gear. There is NO NO NO NO NO better gear than Lululemon. Your love for Matt and Nat and Canadians will be continued once you discover Lululemon.
www.lululemon.com/
Jacqueline Saxby — I wanted to go to Lululemon yesterday but their shop (well, the location near me) is temporarily closed. V. sad. Instead I went to Old Navy & bought a sports bra & some trackpants, haha.
THOSE ARE BEAUTIFUL AND I WANT THEM. OH YUM.
Boooo to that!
Well you should try to get there. ASAP. I have Lulu pants that are like 3 years old and battered to death! The tank tops are second to none. They hold your cutie pies in like nobody’s business while you run!
those are so gala, it’s unbelievable!
I am theoretically opposed to jogging, but I might actually take it up if my feet were housed in shoes as lovely and as pink as those are! :P
Are they Reebok? I can’t quite tell from squinting at the picture…
Jacqueline Saxby — Anything that holds my cutie pies in is all good by me, haha.
kid k — Yes they are! The box says EX-O-FIT HI S.G. STRAP. Which means nothing to me but maybe it will help someone! I’m going to do that couch to 5k thing, Kris Atomic was telling me last night that it is awesome & I’m all over it. I haven’t been running in what feels like a really long time.
Oh wow those are so effin awesome!! I loove!!!! I love the straps and the color!! Make sure you don’t trip and fall when you’re out running, cuz you’re staring at your pretty shoes :)
Running is my least favourite form of exercise but those are pretty sweet. I recently joined the ‘sport shoe owners’ club after attempting a fast paced exercise class in Converse high-tops….ouch. I bought a pair of pretty slinky black Puma trainers that tie up with ribbons instead of laces :) They’re insanely comfortable.
Oh yes, and when I picture you in those shoes, I picture you as a unicorn.
Damn, those are amazing!
I love Nubby’s new shoes too – similar but in shiney silver! Hurray for comfortable AND pretty footwear!
Oooh, those are gorgeous. Fat fluffy sneakers are so much fun, aren’t they? I recently found foot love as well, a pair of white and brushed gold buckled sneakers that were on sale. Bonus!!!
Those look like the most comfortable sneakers ever! Buying new shoes is always fun, but the worst thing is breaking them in! I just bought some Onitsuka Tigers, and breaking them in has been dreadful! I’ve got huge blisters on my ankles! Yipes!
Those. Are. Awesome. I love them!!! So pink, so perky, so perfect!!
positivelypresent.typepad.com
awww I love them. Although I don’t think I could go running in non-professional-running shoes, because I am already so used to them!
It would be great if you could share your plan for overhauling your life, I’m sure it would be super-inspirational.
Oh my, those are glorious! I’d be tempted to take up running if I could wear those babies. :D
Those are great inspirational shoes!
The only way I could ever run is chasing you to steal those adorable shoes!
Im going through the same thing..whenever I want to exercise or go running I dont have any good sneakers to wear…maybe I will just go bare foot like a cave women!!! haha
Ah! I have this dilemma! I have such a problem with the way the running shoes look for women that I just run in my cons. I would feel wrong running in something that looks so ugly.
Yep yep yep I have to agree most running shoes are ugly but I got this pair two years age I think from nike with gold and light blue and white and have a gangster wearing a fedora on the inside :) Yours are awesome! Goodluck running and stretch!
those are hot!
on the flip side, i think running shoes are one of the time where you shouldnt worry about how they look. bad running shoes can ruin your knees, back, etc.
Reeboks with the straps! hehehe
Sorry that just reminds me of that song…
I am so glad that you, like me, don’t like those hideous “running shoes”. They are about the ugliest thing any feet should not have to touch!
And, obviously, beautiful shoes :) I’m sure just putting those babies on every time you have to run will me enough motivation for you to keep going.
Oh! Gala they are perfect for you…What lovely shoes!!!!
I thought about taking up running to get fit, but I find it so boring and horrible. So I didn’t, instead I invested in an amazing heart covered hoop and have been poledancing for almost 6 months. Much more exciting choices for me! :) Choosing to exercise doing something that excites me and I love has been really important because it needs to inspire you, not just promise a good workout if you can’t get yourself into the mindset of enjoying it. Hope the gorgeous purchase works out!
Pretty, but I don’t know how you can run in those. I just got some pretty fly teal running shoes from New Balance.
I think running shoes are amazingly pretty, but my mum always ran so instead of slipping into ruby red high heels I plodded around in anti-pronation New Balance runners. Ah, now that I think about it . . . yep, today I’m totally overcompensating with my fluro pink adidas sports gear to make up for my pink-less childhood.
I’m so proud of you! With your running! And your trackpants! And your shoes that are actually fit for human consumption! (I’m missing both the women-love-shoes gene, and the ability-to-move-in-heels superpower.)
Overhauling life sounds interesting. New shoes are always an excellent beginning to an adventure like that :)
Those shoes are AMAZING, like some sort of hyper coloured crazy moon boots.
Fabulous.
I wouldn’t be able to run in them though I don’t think, so props to you if you can! :P
I wear Rebok runners… they’re ugly but they’re super comfy, and I only wear them to the gym anyhow.
Yours you could wear to places other than the gym :D
xx
Those are my kind of sneakers.
Excellent choice!
Omgosh, I’m totally crazy about solid, brightly coloured shoes and those are just the thing! I love the pink! They’re so cuute!
Very nice buy. :]
i have a pair of mizunos, they are not ugly. they’re not exactly pretty either but there is no olive, puce, brown, or puke color on them anywhere!! just plain white an navy.
they are probably the most comfortable running shoes i’ve ever owned. literally the first second i put them on i knew they were the ones for me.
I love running but the thought of running in those makes my feet hurt!! Maybe I’m in my own world, but I don’t think running shoes are that hideous, whenever I wear them I feel accomplished for working out and therefore don’t mind wearing them to run errands since I’m proud of the hard work I put in my exercise. I do really love those shoes though, I would totally wear them walking around the city, but I’ll stick with my nikes!
soo lovely! awesome shoes. for riz.
Haha… those shoes definitely scream “GALA!”
I don’t suppose they came with a confetti? Shoes like that really need to. lol XD. I think I need a super-awesome pair of Reeboks like that for band camp.
PRETTY!! <3 <3 <3
Ohemgee, those are ADORABLE! They need to make more fun and colorful athletic shoes, don’t you think?
I know it’s not good to do, but I’ve run in all types of sneakers before. I think it’s not so bad if you’re on a treadmill instead of outside, but I could be wrong.
in my opinion, if you wanted to take running seriously, it shouldn’t matter what the shoe looks like, but to each his (or should i say her) own.
Those shoes look awesome! I’m super jealous~ Just the other day I was thinking to myself, “I need to find a new pair of running shoes. I bet finding a cute pair of new running shoes will help motivate me to run more!” And then I see you made this post. Hehe.
What is the name of the shoes? Did you see them in any other colors/patterns {though I’m pretty partial to the solid bright pink that you chose, too~}.
I kind of want to check out my local Lady Foot Locker and see if I can find a pair similar.
For anyone who wants a pair, I did some googling: www.sneakersnstuff.com/system/... Ta da!
Glad to see you have solved your sneaker dilemma! I walk several kms most week days and I can’t do it in my work heels. Alas I’ve about given up on finding something that doesn’t make me look like I’m wearing marshmallows on my feet. Wish I had the hair to pull off this delicious candyfloss look!. PS. New to your blog, finding it inspirational on many levels right now. Many thanks.
:D :D Yeah, that colour matches perfect to your hair colour. They´re great. Maybe they will come to Germany, too. :D
those are HOT. I hope you dance in them or do something physical and fun in them!
I went shopping the other day, and there was a whole section of a store devoted to the color hot pink (the store was subdivided into different colors for the most part). I thought of you instantly. :)
Those shoes are awesome! :D
Aah, those are beautiful!
omg we can never ever share a wardrobe. 50% of everything i have is neon pink and turquoise. and obviously, you have those same colour choices. haha!
Oh, honey, no! Love your style, but please, please don’t run in those sneakers. There’s no shock absorption at all and you’re setting yourself up for serious knee and back problems in your 30s and beyond. Do yourself a favor and go to a proper running shoe store. Fashion is never worth ruining your body for.
hey gala, i dunno if you’ve heard about this but i thought you’d find it interesting:
www.buyoncegivetwice.co.uk/eve…
Running shoes are not supposed to be fashionable. You will injure yourself with those shoes in no times. Go to a store that specializes in running shoes and get yourself fitted. As a runner, i know the importance of a good running shoe. You may not hurt your ankle, but your knees and shins will suffer a far worse fate.
www.mizunousa.com/equipment.ns…
This is the first real brand of running shoe I bought, and I think these are still cute as far as running shoes go. You want to look for something that is snug around the ankle and has a good arch support. That is your best bet in not getting injured.
These shoes are really really cute indeed. They are a fashionable alternative to your “killer” high heels. Your knees and ankles are going to suffer further if you run in these. Get yourself a real pair of running shoes and save yourself the pain.
Hey Gala, the shoes look great but i don’t know if they are good running shoes. I run a lot myself and would probably say you’d be better off going into a store and getting probably fitted with the right shoe for your arch (as the previous commenter said).
Shoes can make a big difference in terms of how far you’ll run.
Miss Darling, they are HOT. I’ve been rocking some super 80s style nike’s these past few weeks, I must admit I’m more of a sneaker girl than a heel girl, though!
how are you planning on starting off with the running? i’ve been wanting to take up running for a while now but don’t know how to go about it at all. i’d love some kind of guide/review of the technique you’re using etc. xx
Eep, yes, what people have been saying about real running shoes for running. Get real ones fitted – not just for the sake of your ankles, but as said… for your arches. It’s not just comfort – do you know if you have a ‘normal’ step (not actually all that normal), if you usually step on the outside of your feet (supination) or step on the inside of your feet (pronation)? Me, I supinate when I run, to a degree which requires a specific types of shoes not to ruin my feet before I’m even middle aged. I feel fine running in regular flat aerobic shoes, but my knees may need replacing in a few years if I maintain that habit…
Those are super duper squeal inducing cute! However, I wanted to share with my my conversion story of going from cutesy not-suited-for-running sneakers to actual fitted running shoes.
I made the conversion unwillingly at the insistence of my serious running friends. After I wore properly fitted running shoes, I found that running was SO much easier, it was incredible! I could run farther and faster than I used to, and at the end of the workout, my feet and ankles felt not a bit sore! And running with the proper shock cushioning was so fun- like bouncing on marshmallows. I am pretty vain about my feet, so for me to be stick with the ugly choice, the difference had to be HUGE and it was. You’re a creative gal, perhaps you could buy plain white ones and dye them, encrust them with crystals, cover them with puffy paint, or something!
(Even if you can’t run in those pink ones they are indeed incredible shoes for days when your feet need time away from heels!)
sorry for a 2nd post – these are kinda cute, right? lucky for you electric pink is pretty prevalent in running shoes this season!
www.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikewome…
Oh man, I was just going to say something really nerdy about pronation and supination, but it looks like a bunch of others have already given you that lecture!
I had no idea about that couch to 5k thing, but it seems a lot more sensible than the plan I tried: Basically, on my 20th birthday (almost a month ago, yikes) I got off my ass and ran a solid 5k FULL TILT with no previous training. My body hated me, but it hurt so gooood, haha! Now I love it and want to invest in some Lululemon gear. Sweet.
Good luck!
Oh, what a fantastic idea to start running! I will be looking forward to see new posts about this new adventure of yours, so I can get as motivated to do the same!
i go into those chain stores at the mall because some of them sell Pastry shoes… damn beautiful, they are! :D
salivate
Those are the sexiest damn running shoes I have ever set eyes on.
I must have them!
i’m glad i’m not the only one who runs in non-running shoes because they’re better looking.
well, i don’t run, i walk and ocassionally…sprint?
but, you get the idea.
insoles do work! i wouldn’t give up exercising in my comic book nike’s ever.
I’ve been thinking of taking up running again recently – but need new gear also! I love the inspirational beauty of those trainers.
[Bought a bikini at the weekend to motivate me to get fit & sexy so I can wear it in about a month, when the water here is warm enough to swim in ;)]
Hello Gala,
I was wondering as I read this…Do you take article requests? Can you please write one on how to do a life overhaul? I feel the information could be useful =)
Thank you for being you!
PS – The shoes are awesome!! I can imagine other runners stopping just to look at your feet. Looks like they have decent ankle support, too.
I skimmed through a lot of comments in this post and everyone has talked about support of the shoe…but one thing I want to say is…make sure your toes do not rub the top of the shoe when you run!
I made this mistake and now both of my big toe nails are partially black! It gives me a good reason to keep my toenails looking pretty, but underneath the varnish I know that they are hideous! Also, I have read many stories about the toenails falling off. This pretty much terrifies me due to the fact it is sandal season and I don’t want to wear fake toenails!
I just wanted to say that I think I saw you today. Or I saw a women with hot pink hair and matching shoes who looked like you.
Clare — V. possible, I wore them when I walked to yoga today in Union Square!
I’m a little worried about your arch and ankle support. Maybe your overall health will thank you if you 1) buy running shoes, ugly or no, that will support you in your running endeavours. 2) spray paint said shoes until they are the color you want!
Oh Gala, NO! I have to repeat what others have said about the health of your feet. If you’re serious about running to get your body in shape, you need properly-fitted running shoes. If you run in these pink shoes you will quickly end up damaging your foot/ankle tendons, knees, hips, back etc and you won’t be able to run at all! I have to wear prescription orthotics in all my shoes (haha no fashionable feet for me!) and my doc says the worst thing you can do for your feet is wear heels all the time. Unsupportive sneakers for a high-impact sport is just as bad. Come on, sports are about function, not high fashion!
Near you, I’d suggest checking out JackRabbit sports on 14th between 6th/5th – they will fit you into good running shoes by videotaping you running on a treadmill to analyze your gait. They are all triathletes so they know their stuff much better than the folks at Paragon.
Happy running! Proper gear makes all the difference.
Those are absolutely gorgeous!!
It doesn’t help that I have a weakness for brightly colored shoes and hightop sneakers.
I would love to start running, but we only have extreme weather conditions here in Texas, it’s either over 100 or under 50. The reason I’ve been searching desperately for a cheap tread mill.
For some reason it amuses me how many running buffs have come out of the wood work with this article.
gala, if you do couch to 5k def check out suz’s hiphop podcast – the only way to 5k in my opinion! some of the songs she chooses are questionable, but they always kept me moving: www.podcastalley.com/podcast_d…
xo and i am BUYING those shoes. i have already deemed summer 09 as the summer of the outrageous sneaker and those are perfect!
wow, that matches your hair. Super-chic!
Omg! I LOVE those shoes, they are so bright and pink.
xx
Those are adorable, but if you do any serious running in them it’s going to really mess up your feet and legs. Get fitted for some real running shoes. They’re ugly but so are running injuries.
I fractured my leg partly due to wearing the wrong kind of shoes and it sucks. This happened six weeks ago and it’s still painful. Be careful!
I hate running but I always wear sneakers. Those are awesome!
I just bought some bright blue and pink osiris sneakers. They compliment my usual black wardrobe amazingly!