Skirts & sneakers: the winning combo!

June is here, the good weather is just around the corner, and we're starting to celebrate our newfound freedom. Like us, you're probably eager to get out your best skirt, which has been waiting patiently in your closet for almost a year... But you're not really ready to give up the comfort of your favorite confined slippers (like our charentaises made in France !). No problem, this summer, free your legs without upsetting your feet thanks to our advice and those of our experts on how to stylishly combine skirts and sneakers.

The casual-chic contrast: a bit of history...

Since the 1930s, with the revolutionary Coco Chanel, the gradual emancipation of women has been expressed through clothing. Originally masculine pieces began to enter women's wardrobes and blended with chic clothing. Later, as women entered the workforce, they became working girls who needed to combine class and comfort. The "casual-chic" style was born.

At the same time, sneakers have been following their own path since the invention of rubber vulcanization in 1839 by Charles Goodyear. Originally primarily intended for athletic use, they began to match the jeans of young Americans. Although initially controversial, they became THE comfortable and stylish shoes par excellence and followed the evolution of feminine looks. In 1950, Marilyn Monroe wore them with rolled-up jeans, then in 1988, they were paired with mini-shorts to embody the youthful innocence of Baby in Dirty Dancing. It is only recently that we have dared to truly pair sneakers with a dress or skirt, and these outfits have risen to the forefront of fashion... and are here to stay, since this perfect example of the casual-chic look continues to seduce women, especially the youngest among them.

On the left, the magnificent Marilyn Monroe with Keith Andes in Clash by Night. On the right, the iconic simplicity of Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing.

Loren Fascianel, author of the slow fashion blog Soyons élégants and self-image coach, explains why it's a winning combo: " The skirt/dress and sneakers combination works every time because it blends the two universal polarities that make up the world: the feminine and the masculine. The skirt is culturally associated with the feminine, also in its shape and fluidity. Sneakers, for their part, are associated with the male wardrobe (also in their structure and material). When you combine these two energies, it's a kind of Yin and Yang that complement each other and create a balance. This gives an overall harmony that is not only pleasing to the eye but also creates a bit of the unexpected and therefore a more assertive style. "

As you can see, the successful marriage between skirts and sneakers is unanimously popular! Another significant advantage: it allows you to reuse your evening outfits for your daily activities or, on the contrary, to respect the dress code of a formal evening without having sore feet. At JULES & JENN, we love this concept, because it means that a single piece will cover a multitude of occasions... and that you will therefore consume more reasonably! But then, how can you ensure that the contrast is not too shocking? Get out your blenders, it's time to mix everything up!

Tip #1: Play with volumes and midi skirts

How can you free your legs without revealing them entirely? A multitude of shapes and lengths are available to you, and long skirts and other "midi" cuts (halfway between a mini skirt and a maxi skirt) allow you to create chameleon-like outfits that adapt effortlessly to your desires. For summer, a long, flowing skirt with white sneakers will do the trick to modernize the bohemian spirit. You can also opt for a slit midi skirt, thus accentuating the contrast between femininity and sportswear.

At JULES & JENN, our favorite look for this option is the timeless white skirt, both trendy and timeless, to be combined with our feminine Velcro sneakers . You can complement this outfit with a simple casual T-shirt or a cozy sweater for cloudier days.

Tip #2: Dresses and skirts with thin sneakers

Short skirts and dresses can also be paired with different types of sneakers! Our ambassador Margot from the eco-friendly blog bloomers.eco does this very well with our new beige and blue linen sneakers. She says: “ I like to pair these beige linen sneakers with navy blue trim with a dark blue mini skirt and a loose-fitting sailor top for a smart-casual French look. Otherwise, I wear them in the evening with a long navy blue EcoVero dress for a casual-chic look! ”

Tip #3: Gold, to stay chic even in your sneakers...

Gold, we've been seeing it everywhere this year! So, what better way to add a cool touch to our dressy looks than with sparkling sneakers? Once again, our Velcro sneakers seem to be the perfect choice, whether in a total metallic gold look, in khaki and gold suede or in white and gold leather . This last pair goes very well with a long floral skirt, for a sparkling summer look.

A more understated but equally effective option: wear a black skirt or dress, some pretty gold sneakers, and our gold tote bag. You see where we're going with this? Subtle colors, enhanced with sparkling accessories... and you're done!

Tip #4: Add some color to your sneakers!

Gold isn't the only color that will make your sneakers stand out! By choosing colorful sneakers, in pastel shades or more flashy ones like the coral of our recycled canvas lace-up sneakers, you can fully embrace your casual shoes and give more character to your look.

Loren, as part of her expertise on the influence of color energies that she develops in her " Chromoguidance ® " explains the following key points: " There are a lot of misconceptions about colors. Many of the obstacles that prevent us from wearing colors are based on unjustified but deeply rooted cultural beliefs. For example, we think that it is difficult to match colored shoes with our clothes. Or we imagine that we will be too noticed with color on our feet... None of this is true, these are just fears. In reality, there is no real difficulty in matching colored shoes. As soon as we allow ourselves to see life in color, there are plenty of possibilities! For example, it will be very elegant to wear colored shoes to twist and liven up a neutral-colored skirt. It will be just as harmonious to wear shoes in a shade close to your skirt. This allows you to create a pretty, stylish monochrome and also to lengthen the silhouette. Then, you can play with the color of your shoes by creating a color reminder with a shade present in the print of your skirt. Finally, playing with color, even on the feet, allows you to create lots of different harmonies, more or less contrasting, and therefore to express your personality! Color is a perfect ally for this, in addition to energizing us on a daily basis .