I’ve come to a sudden realization with the arrival of fall: my closet doesn’t feel like “me.” Or rather, it doesn’t feel like me now - it’s full of years-old pieces that I wore to death 5-10 years ago. My style hasn’t changed much, but being on the cusp of turning 30 (in spring 2022) has had me really examining my closet and trying to figure out what kind of pieces I always want to wear nowadays and maybe elevating it a bit. I’ve been looking for higher quality pieces that feel good to invest in and will hopefully last me until I inevitably go through this same cycle again in 5-10 years.
On one scrutinization of my closet about a month ago, I realized I was missing a good pair of lightweight white sneakers. I had some chunkier Hoka Cliftons that I always wear to walk the dogs, as well as the white Keds I wore almost every day in college, and I wanted something in between. After a lot of comparing and contrasting, I went for the Allbirds Wool Runners in Natural White. I liked their slim profile and that they were more of a cream color rather than a true white. I had heard people call these “the most comfortable sneakers ever,” but I waited to see for myself. The wool on these is so soft and comfortable, and the insoles are cushion-y and supportive. They actually are the most comfortable sneakers I own! They’re also incredibly lightweight and basically feel like slippers. The one downside is that they only come in whole sizes. This wasn’t a problem for me because I’m normally a size 7, but just something to keep in mind. My usual size fit perfectly. I have quite narrow feet and these don’t feel too wide, although there definitely is some room if your feet are on the wider side. Allbirds suggests that if you’re between sizes to size up.
Allbirds makes a lot of claims about these shoes: they’re soft enough to go sockless, the wool wicks away sweat and odors, and they’re machine washable are a few examples. I’ve worn these a little bit without socks and didn’t have any issues with blisters or excessive sweating - despite being made of merino wool, I didn’t notice them feeling any warmer than other sneakers I’ve worn. I haven’t had to wash mine yet, but I’ve read other reviews saying it’s easy and freshens them right up. They also sell insoles separately, since you’re supposed to remove those when you wash the sneakers and they can hold odors more than the shoes themselves.
When I wrote my Style Resolutions at the beginning of the year, I mentioned I wanted to try to find more sustainable clothing options. I’m not sure how well I followed through on that this year, but I do appreciate the efforts Allbirds makes to be environmentally-friendly. The merino wool uppers are ethically sourced and made, the soles are made from Brazilian sugarcane and the world’s first carbon-negative green EVA, the insoles are made with castor bean oil instead of the usual petroleum, and the shoelaces are recycled polyester. (All info from Allbirds website.)
I really like how minimalist they look, without excessive branding, and I feel like it makes them more versatile and able to go with just about any outfit. To demonstrate, I shot some photos of two outfits I'd wear them with.
The first outfit I paired them with was a J.Crew slip skirt and graphic tee. I just recently got this skirt and I’m in love - I know it was quite a trendy piece a few years ago (with everyone clamoring to get the pricier version from Realisation Par), but I think it’s a great “neutral” piece. You can dress it down like I did here with a t-shirt and sneakers, or you could make it a little fancier with a blouse and flats. I can’t wait to try it with a baggy sweater once it cools down more - I have a black mock-neck cable knit sweater that I think will be perfect. I’m not usually one to pair sneakers with dresses or skirts (except for when I was in my aforementioned Keds phase), but the Allbirds are minimalist enough to not clash, in my opinion.
The second outfit is something I’d pair the shoes with much more often: some black Mom jeans, a basic tank, and an oversized jean jacket. Can we talk about this jean jacket for a second? I’m in love with it. Perfectly baggy and oversized without going overboard. It looks easy and casual and chic all at once. The sneakers just add to the casual look. I’d wear this for lots of occasions: just going out to run errands, lunch with friends, or visiting my mom at the brewery she manages!
I’m super happy with my Allbirds Wool Runners so far, and I can’t wait to pair them with lots of things this fall.
Do you opt for sneakers even when not working out? What are your go-tos?
Outfit links:
Deluna Interlocking Circles Bracelet
American Eagle Stretch Mom Jeans
Madewell Oversized Trucker Jean Jacket
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All photos by my husband, Brett!