FASH-ON WITH XXL JJDP – SPRING IN YOUR STEP

Shot by jjdp

Shot on Location – Around Gwangju

Spring is the time for renewal, a breath of fresh air and a time to reinvent. So too with your wardrobe, but for many, spending tons of money on everything new is just not an option. Why not try changing just one thing, starting from the bottom up with some new comfortable sneakers to make your old look feel brand-new?

But before treating your wardrobe to new shoes, take some time out for your feet. After a harsh winter you might have ended up with some dry,  rough and cracked patches on your feet. Do they need a bit of loving? I am sure that they do. We often forget that our feet have been hiding in heavy socks and shoes all winter and that pretty soon they will have to see the light of day when sandal season comes around. And for many, when this realization hits, it is too late. Stop procrastinating and start using a great product from The Face Shop: the Smile Foot Peeling Pack, which works wonders. Just use the treatment and in about a week all the dead skin will peel off your feet. After the peeling, just moisturize, and you will not have to worry about having scaly and cracked feet anymore.

Once you have taken care of moisturizing, it is time to dress your feet in something really comfortable. I am kind of a shoe/sneaker collector and once I own a pair, I own them for life.  Additionally, if I find a brand that I really do love, I become a loyal follower. I love to change up my look, and sometimes a simple signature sneaker is all you need to make your black jeans and black t-shirt outfit stand out. Shoes and sneakers can be the one thing that can make or break an outfit, so pay more attention to them. This month I take a look at unisex shoe brands that work for all.

Firstly, gear up comfortably with a classic pair of sneakers that I would call “go-to sneakers” for everyone. I think you already know which ones I am talking about. Could they be anything but a faithful pair of Converse or Chuck Taylor’s? I have to ashamedly say that I only bought my first pair at 21. I really do not have any idea as to why I waited so long; let us just say I am in love with them and now about 15 pairs. They are simple, easy to clean and come in all colors and designs.

If you are new to the Con-Universe, start off with a simple, solid black pair or the classic whites with red and blue trim. And do not worry if they get dirty or smudgy – this just adds to the extra street cred and “lived-in comfort” that these sneaks ooze. They come in high tops, low-cuts and other limited editions, and are as comfortable as can be. So if you have not already tried them, then go, go, go. There are numerous stores downtown which sell them, including an official Converse store for more specialized and limited editions, but I always see them on sale at ABC Mart and Footlocker for discount prices.

The next brand that I really love, and that also come in amazing colors and styles while basically keeping to the same design, is Vans. A favorite with the skateboard crew, these unisex essentials can also comfortably ease into your wardrobe. They instantly add some allure to dark denim jeans and there are some great varieties in different colors for women, as well for work wear during the day but also for something unusual in the evening. Check out the new designs in stores now. I have some in dark denim and I wear them everywhere.

Finally, I have also fallen in love with Nike high-tops. I bought a pair in a bright and vibrant teal, which I love. Again, I don’t need to do much when wearing them. Just a simple pair of jeans and t-shirt combo will do. One of my other new favorites are a suede outdoor pair, stylish yet functional. They are great for the outdoors and have an added zipper on the inside ankle for ease in adding form and function.

So change up your look one step at a time. Have fun sneaker shopping!

Shoes

Converse – Converse store, Downtown

Nike – Shinsegae Department Store – USquare

Vans – ABC Mart