Whether or not you have felt this way, feeling like you have to buy or wear a certain pair of shoes in order to fit in shouldn’t be the norm and people shouldn’t have to feel this way. When I first started to try and find new shoes that I liked I felt pressured into trying to get more expensive shoes because that’s what other people were wearing. But in reality, you should only get shoes that you like and that are comfortable for you and not based on how expensive other people’s shoes are. I wish I could have read some articles that told me I didn’t have to have a fancy pair of shoes and that if I liked the shoes it shouldn’t matter what someone has to say. That would have saved me a lot of time which is why I’m going to talk about my favorite shoes that are comfortable and affordable.
1. Nike Air Force 1’s
Having a pair of Air Forces is really the best thing because they aren’t all that expensive, they are comfortable and they are the best shoes to use when you don’t know what shoes to wear with your outfit. They also come in multiple colors so you have tons of options to match. These shoes have been around since 1982, they started out as basketball shoes but slowly their popularity became more associated with streetwear. Personally having a pair of Air Forces makes styling easy because they go with everything and they are comfortable! They are also versatile and whenever I have to go out somewhere nice I put on my Air Forces because they can look like a fancy pair of shoes without being expensive. But I have also worn Air Forces with black and blue jeans, cargo pants, and brown pants. I don’t like high heels so to my graduation I wore my Air Forces with a dress because I thought it looked good. Their price range is about $85 to $120.
Having a pair of “chucks” is a good thing because they are nice and comfortable shoes. Converse has been around for years and has always stayed popular. At a very affordable price, they are able to be in any style and truly go with anything. Chuck Taylor came out in 1950 but in the 1980’s they started to become more and more popular when people who were grunge realized that they could have a good pair of shoes that worked with the grunge look. In these shoes, you can walk, run, and do sports. Basically, you can do anything in them and they will last you for a while. I love wearing my Converses because they still look good clean and dirty because they never lose their signature look. I have multiple pairs of Converses in a couple of different colors because they all go with everything. I wear them with my school uniform, jeans, cargo pants, and sweatpants because they are that versatile. These shoes can go from $50 to $120 dollars in the store.
3. Nike Blazers
These shoes have been around since forever and while they are making a bigger comeback they were only basketball shoes at first but they eventually became casual shoes to be worn for everyday use. They are comfortable and can be an easy choice for an outfit. They also have many different styles and colors that you can choose from. These shoes may be a little more expensive than converses or Air Force 1’s but they are still less than most other shoes. Honestly, they are very comfortable and really stylish which is a hard balance to find. I like to wear these because there isn’t too much going on but they still make a statement at the same time. I love to wear these with mom jeans because they cover some of the shoes but you can still tell what the shoe is. They give any outfit some more color and help balance out darker outfits. These shoes can be a little more pricey depending on the type you want but the range is $80 to $130 dollars.
4. Vans
These shoes have been around for a while and while they started as skating shoes they have become so popular that people wear them to skate, go to work, and even red carpet events. There are so many different kinds and colors of Vans which is why we see them everywhere. A part of their popularity is due to the fact that they increased their variety but stayed at an affordable price. They are stylish and also really comfortable. I know I’ve said this about the other ones too but vans have been around for a while and they have always been a good shoe to go to and not forget about. The amount of options Vans offer is so large so the price range really depends on the specific Vans you want. Prices range from $40 to $110 dollars.
5. Crocs
These shoes used to be really popular in the early 2000s and then they faded away but they have come back because people want to be comfortable and stylish. Crocs work with different outfits and they are an easy shoe to just go out in. Personally, I feel like having a pair of Crocs is a lifesaver because everyone needs a shoe you can just slip on, you just put your feet in and go on with your day. Crocs’ prices are a little weird considering what they are but the prices can range from $35 to $75.
Even if before you felt like you had to have a certain pair of shoes to fit in, these are just five shoes that are cool but also affordable. Hopefully, this list helps you believe that you can have any shoes you want and still feel comfortable but also stylish. You should never have to look a certain way or wear certain things to fit in!
