Not a Sneakerhead? These ’70s-Inspired Runners Will Change Your Mind 

But just when I felt I’d abused my feet enough for one season, I stumbled upon a sneaker I actually loved: Loewe’s Ballet Runner, aptly named for merging the silhouette of a ballet flat with the style of a 1970s track shoe. It’s my exact comfort zone. On the fall 2019 runway, the leather runners were paired with cropped trousers, opaque tights, and even satin evening gowns; online, they’re available in a dozen colors and materials, from shades of cream (my preference) to audacious yellows and retro browns.

At $550, they’re an investment, but it seems other designers are on the same wavelength. My colleague Madeline Fass found a handful of similar ’70s-inspired runners to wear with dresses, jeans, and everything in between, from Nike to Tory Burch. Burch likes the silhouette so much, she called it The Tory, citing it as her “ideal” sneaker. “I’m not much of a sneaker girl, but these soft-silhouetted tennis shoes might be the ones to change my mind this fall,” Fass says. “I’m intrigued by the laid-back, sporty aesthetic—no physical activity required. Plus, some of them were inspired by styles originally produced in the 1970s, or they’re reissues of the originals, which makes them feel less like a sneaker trend and more like a vintage treasure.” Re/Done’s primary-hued nylon sneaker was in fact inspired by a vintage find, and Lotta Volkova’s new Adidas collaboration includes a reissued 1970s sneaker from the archive.

Whether you’re in the market for a statement shoe or just need to upgrade your white sneaker game, find all the best options below.

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