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Currently obsessed: New Balance sneakers

Wednesday 15 January 2014
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I wouldn't use the term fashion forward to describe me. In fact, fashion-missed-the-boat would be a better phrase to use. Right now, it seems like I'm a little late trying to jump on the fashion boat (again!) before it set sail because every darn website I've looked at are sold out of these trendy New Balance sneakers in my size. Pffffttttt....... What. The. Fudge.

I've sneered at the socks with heels trend. I looked at the whole coat/jacket on shoulder trend and deemed it pretentious (yes, I was pretentious to try it too but hey ho, it looked good in photos, right?). "The sneakers with every outfit" trend is the one that I'm embracing wholeheartedly. I've been harping on about trendy and comfortable footwear since the inception of this ol' blog of mine. I simply cannot walk in heels and it's just not practical especially when I have to dash from place to place.

Ever since Garance Dore's stylist friend, Viviana Volpicella was mobbed by street style photographers wearing the brightest Nike sneakers known to womankind with her equally colorful outfit, we were instantly enamored. Never mind that we often make fun of fellow tourists wearing their sneakers everywhere in Europe. It's not a case of reinventing the wheel. It's about making the wheel flashier and putting them on a sleek Porsche rather than a Ford Fiesta. And boom, suddenly what was once unfashionable has become stylish.

Personally, I prefer the slimmer and sleeker New Balance 410 and 420 sneakers because the bulkier ones remind me of my backpacking days when my elephantine Pumas were just an extension of my feet. You've probably noticed from the photos above that I'm rather obsessed with black and burgundy, both of which are rather difficult to get hold of at the moment. The cheapest place to get New Balance happens to be Nordstrom. So if you live in the U.S........lucky you.

What are your thoughts about these New Balance sneakers? And if you own any, are they comfortable? What about size wise? If you happen to stumble upon a pair of burgundy New Balance 410 or 420 sneakers in size UK 3/ US 6, please pleeeeeeeaaaaase let me know (the cry of a desperate woman).




54 comments:

  1. I sadly cannot pull this look off at all. I got a pair of the ones that J. Crew was selling and when I wore them out one day, the boyfriend was like "WTF ARE THOSE?" Ouch.

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    1. Really?! I would've thought these would look totally cool with your outfits.

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  2. They are comfy, they are my gym trainers! I would never ever wear them with proper clothes but then I am an old lady.

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    1. Tabitha, I would never EVER call you old lady. You look at least 10 years younger. Minimum.

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  3. You and me both on missing the boat - I came to the moment of NB trainers from Michelle who writes My Fashionable 40s blog. She posted on Avenue 57 last year (November I think) and from then on I have been envious as heck.
    But now I am unsure if I'm so late I should just buy another brand?

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    1. Fiona, I suggest we just hold on to the hull for dear life. It's better late than never :P

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  4. I've tried a few pairs of NB trainers on and would size up, they are quite a snug fit. I've just snagged some from Urban Outfitters. Hopefully you may have better luck sourcing a uk 4. Good luck.

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    1. Natalie, should I take the half or full size up?

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    2. I've taken the full size up and they are fine for me. I'm not sure if it varies for each type of trainer, I bought the grey 620's. I tried the 410 in my normal 4 and they were so small. Hope that helps.

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  5. I love my New Balance sneakers and wear them all the time! I hope you will find a pair in your size!

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    1. Kayin, I want to see photos of you wearing your NB sneakers. Pretty please.

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  6. I'll let you into a secret, I've been emailing the oracle of New Balance - Susie So So - looking for a grey pair and she fairly delivered with a few great links. But actually, after some discussion with her, I decided to stick to the Onitsuka ones as I think the NB are suddenly everywhere and it kind of puts me off them a bit as it feels like I'm jumping on a bandwagon? Having said that, I bet I'll have a pair before the year is out...but I always like to be behind the curve a bit - remember the boyfriend jeans?! x

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    1. Boy, do I remember the boyfriend jeans debate! All you have to do is surrender. Just get a pair :P Or else we'll be having yet another debate in a few months.

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    2. Who you calling the Oracle of New Balance! I know nothing apart from they come up small!

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    3. Well - I didn't know that Sue....so in my books, that makes you an oracle! Lol...and yes Marlene, I'm reckoning they'll make a good birthday pressie around June time...watch this space!

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  7. Haha, did you synchronize your posts with Sue and Miss Sophie? I got the 420 in black and grey and it fits small, I'm usually a UK 5 and had to go half a size up. They're very comfy!

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    1. I just went into her blog today and realized we were writing about the same thing!! Haha... See? Great minds think alike!

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  8. Ooo, love this post. I've got the New Balance 420s and... I think I stuck to my normal size although it seems a lot of people have had to size up. I totally love them. They are super comfy. Lately i've been drawn to the chunkier version. Also totally want a pair in burgundy! xx

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    1. Jen, you'll need to show them on the blog. I don't have particularly wide feet so I hope sizing up to a US 6 won't be a problem. Glad to hear that 420s are great. I've just managed to find a pair last night so fingers crossed.

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  9. I sized up in my burgundy 410's and went up half a size in the 420's just because they happened to have a half size available. There's not much in it honestly speaking.

    But I'll keep on looking for you. There's a pair out there with your name on it (almost) in your size. Just do that thing with the insoles that you do :o)

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    1. Thanks for the feedback, Sue. Aiyyyyyyyy...... I buy insoles ALL the time. I would've love to buy lots of shoes (money permitting) but it's a pain always having to slide an insole into them.

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  10. Have you tried Asos? Thought I saw some there. - I Ying

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    1. First place I looked. ALL sold out in my size!! Arghhhh

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  11. Stan Smith are the new New Balance

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    1. Thanks for the new tip. I was wondering what Stan Smith was and then realized I'd bought something similar for my daughter. Didn't know at the time that they were deemed fashionable!

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  12. I have pronanted knees and feet...or something like that. Anyway there is only one kind of shoe I can wear and they are tres ugly. I feel like writiing to them and saying why not make the sneakers cute?

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    1. I've never heard of this condition at all. What kind of shoes are you wearing then? I've seen these so called orthopedic shoes that were supposedly "chic". Yup, tres ugly too.

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  13. My sister introduced me to the 574s mid of last year and I recently bought another burgundy pair in US6. Was planning to post this on my blog with my burgundy purse nearer CNY...haha

    I can send you pictures tonight! What size are you looking at for Women's?

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    1. I'm going to look out of your post. I haven't even touched or seen NB sneakers in person. I've just ordered a US 6 in the 420 style. ONLY size left. Fingers crossed, a thick insole will suffice.

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  14. I just called the store and the smallest they have is UK4:(

    will keep a look out for you, Marlene!

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    1. Finally got them now, Eileen. Yipppeeee! Will feature them soon

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  15. The burgundy colour is my favourite too, just love those images of Fash-n-Chip,s I have been lusting over them also, I don't think I am cool enough to carry them off....... but god they look comfy!!! on the other hand I think you should keep on looking as they will really suit you..... good luck on the search.

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    1. No way! Bet you're cool enough to wear them. I've seen your photos. There are so many different styles but I guess I'm drawn to the sleeker ones.

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  16. This is off tangent but I'm actually v fond of the jacket/coat on shoulders thing because I can never seem to wear a jacket or coat for longer than 20 minutes! Unless it's truly frigid, I find myself uncomfortably warm after walking around or when I go in doors and it's much easier to shrug it off if I've simply got it slung on my shoulders. It does make me feel pretentious...

    I can't do this look at all - everyone would just assume I'm a PE teacher who forgot to change her shoes. The perils of looking "sporty". Good luck with the hunt!

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    1. Haha! Lin, it's definitely not for everyone. I've always loved running shoes more so than tennis. I find them easier to walk in thanks to the curved soles.

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  17. Well first, did you choose the ohoto on purpose (other thatn the burgundy...)??!!
    Because what strikes me the most is that all girls look the same with same kind of outfit and same pause as well. Except from the background one would not (well at least to me but I am NOT a trendy fashion blogger, not snarky comment here I swear) be able to tell the difference. All wearing slim or leggings, dark colours, loose fit... Sorry but Boring! I do not have any NB nor sneakers for the matter and the more I see them, the less to have one pair. I really do not like to wear the same outfit as a girl from the other side of the world because it this trendy, thank you very much. Of course this MYopinion but I really feel unconfrotable with this, I mean in order to be cool it seems to me that the new "uniform" should be a slim, or legging or jean + sneaker + an Isabel Marant thing + whatever is trendy or "rock". I do prefer being myself and maybe out of trend (well quite a bit actually) but I do not care as long as I feel confortable, elegant and, well, ME after all.As for the New Balance I reckon they look pretty good but I do prefer my leather shoes (plenty...) even with my small feet. I think you would look good with them. Do try to find a pair within the child department: often the style is similar, it is less expensive and easiest to find (and fit is good). I am not sure about the insole in a sneaker for confort (says the girl who put some many insoles in shoes too large for tiny feet but oh so pretty...!!)

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    1. oops I meant "photo" and "than",and also "unconfortable", sorry for the typos.
      And also you should "the more I see them the less I want to have them"

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    2. Hmm.....true. Now that you mentioned it, there's a uniform going on here. In any case, I prefer boyfriend jeans. Haha....I have to wear insoles because even the children sizes run big! I hope my daughter will grow up to have normal sized feet. Sigh.

      I like Isabel Marant clothes because the fit works for me and I don't have to think too much. I hate having my clothes altered and I know most of her jackets fit me perfectly. IRO, not so much. A shame because I wouldn't mind venturing out. Speaking of this, I'm like Vanessa Bruno more and more. Back to my first love.

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  18. they run quite small so you might want to try them first in store, I had to size up quite a bit (for the NB 410 both the ladies and kids (oh yes been there too!) version). Love the burgundy too!

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    1. Mine's just arrived. Boy, are you right. They're tiny!

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  19. I want them too but agree with some of the other readers that perhaps the burgundy ones are a bit overdone now? And sold out. I really like the JCrew peachy ones but think they will get filthy. let me know if you find any nice ones in a uk 6!

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    1. Oooh....size 6. Tons are sold out in that size. Now that mine have arrived. You definitely have to size up.

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  20. Definitely size up in the 410's - they are tiny! I have the burgundy and black, and they are very comfy - I can't wear heels at the moment as I broke my leg 3 months ago!

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    1. Yikes! Broken leg. They take ages to heel. I'd ordered a pair in UK 3.5 which is the smallest they go down to. I had to put a thin insole (I normally wear UK 1.5 to 2) and goodness me, are they narrow or what?!

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  21. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  22. I work at a shoe store and NB is one of the brands we sell. About Last Weekend, if you have serious pronation and supination issues, I would defiantly recommend the NB 1540. It has a rollbar built on the sides to help prevent pronation and supanation. Overall it should help with your posture. They use to build it in a white/purple and black color, but they recently changed it to a turquoise/white color. So it is not as bad looking.

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    1. Jordan, thank you for the helpful information! I'm sure Jody (About Last Weekend) will be delighted to hear about this.

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  23. I may sound a little dumb here but are you guys referring to the NB 420 women or men?
    I went in the store today to get a pair and I ended up liking the men's more than the women's. (Am a woman)

    Ended up not buying. Didn't Wanna look stupid walking out with the men's.

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  24. I may sound a little dumb here but are you guys referring to the NB 420 women or men?
    I went in the store today to get a pair and I ended up liking the men's more than the women's. (Am a woman)

    Ended up not buying. Didn't Wanna look stupid walking out with the men's.

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    1. so sorry! Only just seen your comment. I prefer Men's 420s too but unfortunately, I have such tiny feet that I can never buy any. I would so buy those men's 420s if I were you!

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