5 Things You Should Buy

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The sneakers for when sandals would look better

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The sneakers for when sandals would look better

But you have places to go and you're walking all day and your pandemic feet aren't ready but you still want to look dressed.

Becky Malinsky
Jul 24, 2022
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The sneakers for when sandals would look better

5thingsyoushouldbuy.substack.com

Hello! For those of you who weren’t here last weekend, and there are a lot of you, welcome! A little background: For years people have come to me with their shopping conundrums. I’ve dressed and shopped for celebrities, CEOs, friends, family and even the occasional stranger on social media. I’m picky, opinionated and love a good find. Hope you enjoy this lighthearted grab bag of what I think is worth buying each week. It’s raw, real and (hopefully) a fun, easy scroll of eye candy. So glad you’re here.

Some feedback from last week: more pictures, more styling ideas! So this week - we are changing things up a little. (Assume we will be changing things up often.) And next week…no selfies, I promise. Mostly.


Today, a topic near and dear to my heart. Sneakers, for when you still have to go to work or run errands or generally just want to look cute.

My favorite sneak of the moment? A classic Reebok nylon pair that’s a little bit shiny, very retro and…$70! I can’t keep up with sneaker hype and honestly, I find the original versions of things to be the best version most of the time. This pair checks all those boxes. So in a twist on 5 Things this week, here are five ways to wear this pair, while still dressing for summer.

  1. With a mini skirt and your go-to short sleeve button down (which we discussed last week.)

Matteau button down shirt, Miu Miu mini skirt

2. With a work-appropriate dress. Please note the nylon bag - A sporty bag ensures you don’t look like you forgot to change out of your commuter shoes.

Vintage Dress. The Row Bag.
A closer look: The shiny-ness of the nylon makes them feel less athletic. Reebok Classic Nylon Trainers

3. With jeans, a white T-shirt and cotton blazer. Ok this one is actually more tricky than you’d think. You don’t want to show up to dinner in the exact same look as your husband (I think?) So how to keep the masculine/feminine balance here: a little bit of ankle, a papery thin T-shirt and a dainty handbag. Sleeves pushed up. Hair down. Sorry, I’m very specific, but I guess that’s why you’re here!

Officine Generale Blazer, Ayr T-shirt, The Row Jeans, Donna Karan Bag, a similar bag here.

4. With a fresh off the SNAV, Italian vacation look even though you’re just going to Fedex. Balancing here again with a white T-shirt, so the sneakers don’t look out of place. A lacy camisole might throw this off.

The same Ayr T-shirt, Emporio Sirenuse Skirt, a similar style here.

5. With black work pants! Something we all are trying to make less sad every day. I strongly feel there is nothing better with a black pant than a classic sneaker. Hello Phoebe Philo! If you want to make your black pants feel like an integral part of the outfit instead of a “basic”, a sneaker will 99% of the time be your solution.

But this is a newsletter about five things, so here are four more sneakers that are interchangeable with the above.

Nike Waffle Trainer (not the jazzed up versions but this exact model).

Nike Waffle Trainer - the version in the men’s department, and size down 1.5 sizes

Spalwart Marathon Trails. My dream sneaker but I am between sizes. The 38 runs slightly small, the 39 way too big. I’ve bought and returned so many times. Maybe some of you are lucky half size folk.

My favorite sneaker, that sadly does not come in half sizes. Better luck to you!

Nikecraft x Tom Sachs General Purpose. Probably the only shoe I would consider buying on the secondary sneaker market. Still sad I never got a Mars Yard.

NikeCraft x Tom Sachs newest launch, the “General Purpose” - sadly only really available through StockX type sites.

Tretorn Nylites I mean…CLASSIQUE!

Not included in this newsletter: Converse, Vans, Adidas Sambas. Because you don’t need me for that!

NOTE: I use affiliate links when applicable which means I may get a small commission from things you buy (no cost to you!) Thank you for supporting my work and trusting me with your shopping!

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The sneakers for when sandals would look better

5thingsyoushouldbuy.substack.com
6 Comments
Mary Grace Griffin
Nov 15, 2022

Hi, Becky! Would you mind sharing where your denim shirt is from? Similar to Laura, I’ve been looking for a minimal denim shirt sans pockets with a darker wash—more Ina Garten, less Western. AYR recently released a good one, but the wash is a little lighter than what I’m looking for. Your shirt seems to be it!

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Megan Hanson
Writes Night In
Oct 1, 2022

This is literally my daily inner-monologue with the seasons changing! I throw on so many outfits, look in the mirror, and say (sometimes out loud to my dog) this would look better with sandals. This is great.

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