Shoes for Sports: Tips on What to Wear to Your Next Home Game

No, not tennis shoes for tennis, but shoes for watching Wimbledon, the MLB, or Michael Phelps swim. Whenever I go to sporting events my biggest dilemma when putting an outfit together has always been choosing shoes. Should I pick shoes to match the colors of the team I’m cheering for? I’d better not wear the opposing team’s colors that’s for sure. I certainly can’t risk wearing my cutest pair. Like the time I wore my orange suede ballet flats to a Giants game in San Francisco and an overzealous fan in the bleachers spilled his beer all over my feet!!! My shoes were ruined, and so was my mood! Beer + rowdy fans = not a cute look.

Other than color, there is also style. If the event is at night there is always the chance it will get cold and nothing kills the mood like cold feet. If you’re watching a swim meet you always run the risk of getting your feet wet. Sporting events are dangerous places for your finest footwear and even though at Open Runway we would like to wear our stilettos everywhere we realize there are some events where you do need to pack away those custom designed black and gold snakeskin gladiators and step out into some of these cute sporting event friendly options.

The Jelly Shoe

Lately I’ve noticed a revival of the jelly shoe that we were all such big fans of at age 5. These new reinvented and much cuter versions of the 90s classic are perfect for that swim meet you have this weekend. No need to fear chlorine puddles and the occasional mis-dived belly flop, these shoes are a cute alternative to flip flops and wellies.

Cowboy Boots

Yes, cowboy boots are a great option. They have that country chic vibe when styled right and provide warmth which is key if you are going somewhere cold. A few weeks ago I wore sandals to the Stanley Cup Finals and it was a disaster! Whether you’re going to a rodeo, the Stanley Cup, or a backyard game of catch, western themed boots are stylish and practical. Plus now that department stores and online retailers are stocking different varieties of cowboy boots they are becoming more easily accessible for those of us who don’t live in the Wild West.

Black and Patent

For those fashionistas who refuse to wear anything but their finest footwear, the black patent flat is not only a classic, but also great for sporting events where there is potential for spillage, like my Giants game experience. No need to worry about matching your team’s colors –  black goes with everything – and the patent makes it easy for you to wipe off all the spilled ketchup, beer, and cola that is bound to go flying when your team scores a run. If you want something more colorful, you can even design your own pair of patent flats in a variety of colors  and with a multitude of different embellishments like giant bows or studs using Open Runway’s design tool. Take a look a look at our demo!

Keep in mind these aren’t the only options for your sporting event woes. Let us know what shoe choices you’ve made recently!