My Amazon order history tells a story.
Every year, around this time, I get a fresh pair of white Italian Superga sneakers.
I’ve been wearing them for over 20 years.
A Spanish-Italian photographer’s assistant let me in on her comfort and style secret on a magazine shoot, when I asked where she’d got her simple, crisp white shoes from. (We went on to become close friends, so what more to say?)
I bought my first pair of Supergas at Russell & Bromley on Bond Street, before finding them (much) more cheaply on my first visits to family in Italy. After that, I’d always make a beeline for the little shoe shop just off the piazza, where I’d buy them (using lire! Sigh. SO MANY ZEROES).
It became a ritual. I even got matching, teeny-tiny bambini ones for my daughter, as soon as her feet were big enough.
Angelo was bewildered by my excitement about a pair of plimsolls. He’d just do The Shrug, just like he did when I insisted that I preferred a thin, over thick, pizza base, despite his attempts to persuade me otherwise. Both of us as stubborn as each other.
When travel becomes easier for us all, God willing I’d love to make a beeline for that shop again (although I’m not sure I could buy them without sobbing over the shop owner. Which might be awkward).
Unwrapping a fresh pair from their tissue and stepping out as spring begins to bloom, the sun breaks through and we all breathe in hope, feels GOOD. Also, I know someone who might just get it, if I could tell him now.
But I don’t think he’d budge on the pizza.
Style notes
Supergas are really good for wide feet. I’ve recommended them a bazillion times for that reason alone.
There’s just something about the shape that makes them work with anything. I’ve ventured into the flatform version and experimented with different fabrics and colours (metallic, canvas, leather), but I’ve always gone back to the white Cotu low-top canvas in white.
Lacing up a new pair feels hopeful. Like putting on a crisp white cotton shirt.
Today, I sprung for a navy pair, since I figured they’d be more practical wear and tear-wise and they were under £30 and on Amazon Prime. I’ve also bought them from Superga, where obviously you’ll get the best choice of colours and styles.
For US friends, you can find them in Anthropologie.
I thought I’d spare you my desperately-need-self-tanning ankles.
That’s another post.
Are those the same ones you wore last Friday when I saw you? I just ordered a pair 😀
I love getting new sneakers in the spring as well