Irina Shayk Just Changed My Mind About These “Ugly” Sneakers

She convinced me to upgrade my errand-running looks.

By

Kaelin Dodge

Published on February 7, 2024 @ 03:00PM

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Popping out for coffee, dog walk, or a quick trip to the store hasn’t historically been a reason to dress up — at least not for me. I throw on whatever shoes are closest to the door and step out in my sweats and oversized tee, you know, just keeping it simple. But, supermodel Irina Shayk just single-handedly convinced me to up my “out-for-errands” fashion game.

When Shayk was spotted in New York City walking her dog, I couldn’t help but be envious of how chic she looked doing something so mundane. She started with perfectly slicked-back hair, chunky gold hoops, and sporty, designer sunglasses that are better than your average frames. Then, she reached for a loud, tiger-print jacket she wore over flowy, cropped blank pants. And finally, she finished the look by slipping on a sensible statement shoe: a pair of sold-out New Balance 610 trail sneakers that aren’t your average city sneaker. It was gorpcore meets mob wife, and I was instantly obsessed.

At first glance, Shayk’s look seemed like a lot of effort for a quick errand, but once I realized how simple it was — and how you really only need two things to achieve it — I was dead-set on recreating it. With the right jacket and shoes, anything — yes, even sweatpants — can look fashion-forward. And with a statement jacket already in my wardrobe, I really just needed to find the perfect sneakers.

Merrell Moab Speed Hiking Shoe

Buy on Nordstrom $130

Veja Suede Venturi Sneakers

Buy on Madewell.com $205

TBH, if the day requires walking, my shoes are often where the outfit falls apart because I reach for my podiatrist-approved sneakers that are “ugly.” But Shayk’s outfit reminded me that I can have that same level of comfort and support without forfeiting the entire look. Her trail shoes added to the charm of her outfit; the chunky, colorful sneakers were as bold and interesting as her animal-print coat.

Gorpcore sneakers are far from new. In fact, they’ve been a supermodel favorite for a while, worn by Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski, and Kendall Jenner, who tend to pair the dad-approved sneakers with workout pieces and oversized jeans. But this was one of the first times I’d seen the style dressed up, and perhaps the first time I thought that a walkable sneaker could look chic. So, yes, I’m finally convinced I need to invest in a pair. Find more sneakers inspired by Shayk’s trendy dog-walking look, below.