The once-humble slip-on sneaker steps up in style – and price
Thanks to the fashion world’s enthusiastic embrace of surf/skate culture over the decades, the Vans-style slip-on sneaker — a simple, unadorned, lace-free upper attached to a rubber sole — has become an instantly recognizable Southern California silhouette and an uncluttered canvas for self-expression, not only for Vans, but also for countless other brands.
In recent seasons, luxe versions of the humble skate shoe have been rolling out to retail and serving as less-formal, summertime iterations of the ever-popular smoking shoe.
Here are a few slip-ons that might make slipping out that rainy-day credit card worthwhile.
Petal Power Everything is coming up roses in Tory Burch’s take on the skate-shoe silhouette thanks to canvas uppers printed with a floral motif. (Tory Burch Miles sneaker, $75 at toryburch.com.)
Dress Blues The Jimmy Choo spring-summer collection includes a slip-on style covered with enough bright blue glitter that even Dorothy Gale might find herself with a case of shoe envy. (Jimmy Choo Blue Coarse Glitter Fabric Sneakers, $425 at jimmychoo.com.)
Minimal to the Max Céline’s caramel-colored pony calfskin slip-on is the epitome of the luxury skate shoe. (Céline Skate Slip-on, $720, at the Celine Boutique, 319 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills.)
Geometry Lesson Givenchy’s upscale version features a collage-like design on the satin upper that includes both black-and-white geometric shapes and paisley patterns. An added touch of luxe? The black leather trim. ($495 at Net-a-porter.com.)
Italian Style The OG of skate shoes has had no shortage of luxe collaborations of its own; its second season partnership with Diemme, an Italian footwear brand that hails from an Italian commune 40 miles from Venice, includes a minimalist slip-on with an upper in soft, buttery leather and hand-stitching detail where the upper joins the sole. (Vans Vault X Diemme Montebelluna Lo LX in navy, $300, available locally at Blends.)
Hi-ho Silver A sparkly silver suede slip-on (say that five times fast) is the Michael Michael Kors glittery go-to for a skate-shoe silhouette. (Michael Michael Kors Boerum Glittered Slip-On Sneaker, $110 at michaelkors.com.)
