I’ve been looking for a pair of high-wedge sneakers for years. I tried on these sunny See by Chloe sneakers in 2009, but they didn’t fit.
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In 2010, I pondered this pair by Ash Shoes, but I wasn’t sure I loved them as much as the Chloes.
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I wound up with a pair of silver-sequin, flat-soled sneakers instead.
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Then, last year, I used a gift certificate to get a pair of flat-soled Prada sneakers that went through hell at Lollapalooza.
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But I really don’t feel my best in flats, so I took notice when Beyonce and Alicia Keys were photographed wearing Isabel Marant wedge sneakers last year.
Isabel Marant "Willow" sneakers. Click for more photos on Necole Bitchie.
Those particular shoes didn’t appeal to me because they look too much like gym shoes, but they did make me think, “Maybe wedge sneakers are about to have a moment.” When celebrity manicurist Tracylee Percival raved to me about her wedge Bowie sneakers by Ash, I realized it was time to resume my hunt.
Ash's Bowie wedges. Click to buy at Urban Outfitters.
When I went online to look at Ash’s designs, the style that really spoke to me was, hilariously, the one I passed up in 2010. As I always say, “Never is the next new thing™.”
Click to buy Ash's "Thelma" wedge sneakers.
I wore them this weekend when MrB, gorgeous designer/blogger Stacy Lomman and I went to The Brooklyn Rod & Gun Club in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to see the band Transplendent.
A shoe poses in Brooklyn.
Mike Webb, the director of public relations at MrB’s organization, ProPublica, plays guitar and bass for Transplendent. We enjoyed the band’s cover of “Sabotage,” which was dedicated to the late Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys. Here’s 50 seconds of that. Mike is the dude in the white shirt.
I missed the beginning of the song because I was slow to get the camera working. Then I had to cut off the end because some hipster douche started talking REALLY LOUDLY about how he couldn’t bear to listen to the Beasties since Yauch’s death earlier this month until yesterday, man, YESTERDAY. Williamsburg is known for its hipster population, but I thought people exaggerated that reputation for comic effect. I stand corrected. Nerd glasses were everywhere and Pabst Blue Ribbon, the hipster beer of choice, was being served.
The wine belongs to Stacy, of course.
As we were leaving, a guy riding a bike stopped to look me up and down and exclaim about my outfit, “That looks expensive!” It was good to know that there are places where I can be super fancy even when I’m wearing jeans that have only been washed four times since I got them in 2008 (I like to think the dirt gets bored and walks off on its own). We paused so MrB could take a picture of Stacy and me looking ritzy.
What Wendy Wore
T-shirt: Splendid
Jeans: Acne (2008)
Vest: JC de Castelbajac (2010)
Purse: Louis Vuitton (2001)
Sneakers: Ash (2012)
Now, at last, it’s time for the casting call mentioned in my headline. I want to do a wedge-sneaker slideshow, so if you’re a fashion blogger with a pair, send a photo of yourself wearing them to me at wbjewelry at hotmail dot com. I only need five more blogger photos, so make haste!
UPDATED TO ADD: What timing! I awoke to find a story in WWD headlined “Happy Feet,” about the high-top sneaker trend, whether wedge or flat. Pictured are Isabel Marant sneakers, of course. There are also examples from Alejandro Ingelmo, Barbara Bui and Pierre Hardy. I scanned the Y-3 and Ruthie Davis designs for your viewing pleasure.
From WWD.
Alejandro Ingelmo says he started doing sneakers in 2007 but that interest has picked up over the last season. Holli Rogers, fashion director of Net-a-porter.com, is quoted as saying, “The high-top trend has been bubbling up for some time, and, as trends go, it usually takes a few seasons for them to take hold.” That also fits in with my “Never is the next new thing™” theory. Styles don’t emerge overnight and they don’t go away overnight either, though it sometimes seems that way to people who are in the fashion industry. People often ask me, “Is it too late to get X, Y, or Z?” No, it’s never too late. Whenever you decide you love it — that’s the perfect time.
They’ve done studies on jeans and health hygiene. Here’s an article from a quick google search: http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/01/19/not-washing-jeans-for-15-months-ok-healthwise-at-least-study/ but I read one a couple of years ago that was similar so YMMV, but dirty jeans – probably not gonna kill ya.
In fact, you ladies look fab, I love the new kicks and the dressed down Wendy Uniform.
The hair of one of the hipster chicks looked even dirtier than my jeans.
I don’t wear normal sneakers so I probably won’t be venturing into the wedge sneaker realm but I’m curious to see what bloggers send you submissions.
I would LOVE the Ash ones you bought, but I have a friend that will likely pee herself in glee when she gets the link to them that I sent her. If she gets them, I’ll send you a pic!
Do it!
I got these See by Chloe wedges last week: http://www.gravitypope.com/shoes/product/18907-see-by-chloe-sb18085-999-
Love them. They give me height and they’re not clunky looking.
I LOVE THOSE!
I’m kind of in love with those yellow Chloe sneaks. Your new ones are way fab! And you wore/wear them so well. Perfect with that outfit and it was definitely a good idea to wear sneakers to that freakin’ place. Ugh, that (drunken) idiot talking about being so saddened over MCA — I wanted to smack him. I think you forgot to mention the gourmet pretzel rods!! LOL
I wish I had wedge sneaks so that I could participate, but I guess I’ll just keep rockin’ my creepers 🙂
Looking forward to your slideshow; no wedge sneakers in my shoe closet, but they look great on you.
I like the IM ones heaps. Are the Ash ones comfy like a sneaker should be? I’d go for them if so. The IM ones are stupidly exy.
They’re pretty comfortable. The only bad thing is they come in full sizes and I’m a 6.5. I sized up to 7 and do wish it was a little smaller.
pretty comfortable? Oh you have tiny feet, I’m a size 39 clodhopper!
It would be more comfortable if I could get a more exact size. If you’re a full size, it should be good!
I nearly bought those Ash sneaks, but I’m waiting until I go to London to see if I can find something I can’t see here. But I just sent you an email with my Marc Jacobs wedged sneaks, hope you got it!
xoxo
Cyrillynn
I have been on the hunt for a cool pair of wedge sneakers. I had a pair when I was in Germany when I was ten (Europe is so ahead of its time!). Why my mom let me wear heels then is beyond me, but I do want another pair now. The yellow ones are adorable.
Your mom was more fun than my mom! My mom wouldn’t let me wear the wooden-soled Dr. Scholls that EVERYONE else wore. Let me know when you find the pair of your dreams.
My favourites are the Isabel Marant – they sold out over here – but I opted for the Liberty print Nike Air Max instead.