All-white Nike Air Force 1s are the rage these days. In fact, all-white sneakers—regardless of brand—is a popular footwear choice among the trend-conscious.
However, unlike the Little Black Dress, which is both stylish and functional, wearing white sneakers in the Philippines may present some challenges. The weather is unpredictable. There are little to no sidewalks when walking from one place to another. And then you have good friends who turn sinister threatening to “bless” your brand new white shoes (is that still a thing in schools? Tell us in the comments section of this article online).
Here’s a throwback inspiration for the young ones: No guts, no glory. If you want to look the part, you have to learn how to deal with the risks of taking your sneaks to the streets. But don’t worry, here are three quick tips on how to make the most out of your “white-walker” experience:
Switch it up more often
First off, don’t wear your white sneakers as your primary footwear. Maybe if you had Chuck Taylors on, that would be more acceptable as these were made to be beaters. However, going with dark-colored footwear should be your best bet, and wearing your favorite white sneakers selectively should help preserve them longer.
Fit your footwear to your schedules
Are you taking public transport or riding in a private vehicle? Does it look like it’s going to rain even when your Weather app tells you otherwise? Make that careful decision before stepping into your fresh pair of Stan Smiths! If you’re just spending the day in the mall, then wearing your whites doesn’t sound like too bad an idea.
Love goes long
Treat your white sneakers with love and care. Don’t leave them outside under the sun. Keep them dry and store at room temperature. Don’t forget to give them a good wiping after use. Place crumpled paper inside them to prevent creases.
There are people who buy shoes and don’t care. While that should generally be the idea with footwear, some people spend their hard-earned cash on a purchase they deem essential. That said, protecting your purchases to last longer is a smart move. It’s similar to why no matter how beautiful iPhones are, they still end up in cases.
So is wearing white shoes in the Philippines worth all this trouble? Of course. At the end of the day, they’re just shoes. We can’t spend the rest of our lives looking down. Keep your chin up—wear them in good health! S