For Fashion and Fitness

Finding your perfect basketball shoes

For daily wear – I love these B-Ball shoes

Many subjects involve an intersection of art and science.  Particular clothing items, such as basketball shoes, fall into that category.  First issued as a means of greater ankle support and for sport, basketball shoes became equally important to fashion.  Today, the perfect pair of basketball shoes involves a balance of fashion and fitness.  Here’s how to find the right pair for your intended purpose.

What Are Your Needs

Aside from fashion, if you’re going to wear the shoes to play the game, then you need to identify your needs.  Knowing what kind of player you are and your future position helps.  You need support and flexibility to run and maneuver, but specifically, identify whether you’re more valued for your power or speed.  Basketball players play both offense and defense, yet most gravitate toward one or the other, and your choice of shoe will accentuate your level of play and style.

Shoes give both support and flexibility yet you’ll find shoes that will provide one more than the other, often sacrificing support for flexibility and vice versa.

Choose an Appropriate Height

Most players of the game choose between a mid or high-top model.  If you’re buying a pair for fashion alone, then a low-top model is also a choice.  Those who are utility players may do better in choosing a mid-top model.  Utility players are more balanced when it comes to playing offense and defense.  Those who make a lot of stop and start moves, such as a forward, need added support to protect their ankle and should purchase a high-top model.  Some shoes, such as the Curry 2, are hybrids and provide decent support and flexibility.

Compensate for Online Purchases

It’s no longer a novelty to buy products online.  It’s a bit more tricky to purchase clothing because shoppers don’t have an immediate chance to try something on, yet reputable vendors offer flexible and easy return policies.  However, one way to compensate is to search for particular models offline and trying them on while making your ultimate purchase online.  This is especially useful for basketball players who can turn and pivot in the store to emulate moves that will take place on the court.  For example, you may wear a particular size shoe for casual wear yet need an added half inch in a performance shoe since your feet may need room to shift while in motion.  Also, be sure to wear the same kind of socks to the store that you will wear on the court.  You may find that casual socks are less padded than sports socks, which can cause you to buy the wrong size basketball shoe.

Don’t Be Fooled By Price

Price is not always a signal of quality.  A high price does not determine how well a shoe will perform nor should you pass judgement on a model or manufacturer that offers products at a lower price than competitors.  Moreover, when it comes to basketball shoes, as mentioned, you have to determine whether a particular model is made for fashion or as a performance shoe.  You may like how a particular model looks, but if you’re a player, it’s more important to ensure it will provide support and help you play well.

Realize There Is a Difference

Can you wear a performance shoe for fashion?  You can, but if you’re concerned about fashion, it’s advised to separate the two.  As mentioned, you can’t wear a fashionable pair on the court; you need a performance shoe.  Yet, you’ll rarely find a pair that can work equally well on and off the court.

Low-top models work well off the court and can be worn with jeans and pants.  You can get away with wearing mid and high-top models with shorts but it depends on your style of clothing and level of confidence.

Know Your Limits

Can you wear basketball shoes on a date?  Sure.  Can you wear them for a job that requires walking around or selling sporting apparel? Yes.  Should you wear basketball shoes to a job interview?  No, not if you want to get hired and be seen as an adult.  Basketball shoes have come a long way from their origin.  There are a lot more styles, models, and manufacturers to choose from, and it’s much more accepted to wear them off the court.  But know your limits.

Read Up On Shoe History

Basketball shoes, such as the Air Force 1 shoe, have become inextricably connected with hip hop and urban streetwear.  A good deal has been written on the role basketball shoes have played in hip hop and the practice of graffiti.  A number of books, documentaries, and articles have been issued on the topic.

Georgia Alexander is a fashionista! A part-time model, she also blogs about fashion and beauty. Her articles appear on women’s lifestyle sites.