9 Pairs Of Sneakers Every Girl Should Own
We need balance in all areas of our lives and that includes the shoe department. Although a lot of us love the allure and the appeal of a great heel, sneakers have made a stylish comeback over the years and can be dressed up or dressed down. Plus, the physical benefits they give to your body can't be beat. Sneakers cause less pressure for your legs and also give your feet so much comfort.
And I honestly think that they are functional in ways that appeal to me more now that I am not in my early 20s. I have also found a way to elevate whatever pair of kicks I choose to throw on. I can turn a pair of Air Jordan 1 Retros into high fashion in a hot minute. Want to get more into creating a sneaker collection but don't know where to start? We have assembled a list of versatile sneakers that we believe all women should cop. Scroll through for some fire kicks to add to your closet!
*This list is specially curated by the xoNecole team and some links are affiliate links. If you purchase an item from an affiliate link, xoNecole might earn a small commission.
Air Jordan 1s
Nike
Air Jordan 1 High Zip Premium
The Air Jordan 1s are one of the most classic sneakers in the game. It's highly coveted as an elite design that can be worn at any age with almost any outfit.
Women's Nike Presto React Sneaker
eBay
You gotta have some dope kicks when you're doing Kanye's Workout Plan. Prestos provide a comfort and stability that make them an ideal candidate.
New Balance Women's 009 Athletic Sneakers
A pair of New Balances are what sporty chic dreams are made of. I have no doubt you can pull this look off too once you add these to your cart.
Women's Nike Air Max 97 Sneaker
Nike
This may be one of our faves on the list. Air Max of all years are fire but the 97s hold a special place in our hearts. We don't know if it's the style or the array of colors but we can't get enough.
FILA Women's Disruptor II Premium Casual Athletic Sneakers
DSW
The fashion industry somehow morphed FILAs into an ugly sneaker and still managed to make it work. This brand was in the center of the 90s resurgence last year and it has made for some jaw-dropping looks, from runways to sidewalks.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Chuck 70 High Top Sneaker
Chuck Taylors are the epitome of nostalgia. They can be basic but they can also be over the top. You can opt for high tops or low tops and still look fly.
Nike Air Force 1 '07
Nike
A wise man once said, "Give me two pairs. I need two pairs. So I can get to stomping in my Air Force 1s!" Air Force 1s may seem "trendy" as you notice celebs like Bella Hadid and Kylie Jenner wearing them, but they have been a staple in our community for decades. Whether you're donning a mini dress or boyfriend jeans, AF1s will always be the move.
Vans Ward Low Top Suede Sneaker
DSW
Vans provide somewhat of a vintage vibe but in the most fresh and fun way. The best thing about this shoe is its thick sole. Back in the 60s, the creator, Steve Van Doren, wanted to double the size of the sole of all of his competitors. That small delineation created a truly evergreen sneaker.
Adidas Originals Superstar Shoes
Adidas
Adidas Originals Superstar in Cloud White/Core Black
Even I know that the Superstar Adidas are essential. When it comes to styling, I typically pair them with a high slit maxi dress for a perfectly balanced look. No matter the occasion, you can rock this style with ease by adding your own sauce to the mix.
Featured image by Getty Images
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Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
Courtesy
Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
Courtesy
Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
Courtesy
Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy