Sneakers are the most worn shoe in the wardrobe, and for that reason the hardest to choose: they all look alike until you wear them for eight hours.
Start from how you will use them
- Heavy daily use: you need a sole with some cushioning and a breathable upper. The cleaner, lighter style beats the flashier one.
- Occasional, polished looks: here you can go for more constructed styles, with platforms or details.
- Travel: something easy to slip on and off that works with both trousers and a dress.
Styles that always work
- Minimal white sneaker: the most versatile of all. Goes with everything — and wears out fastest for the same reason.
- Retro suede: seventies lines, soft upper. Visually warmer, excellent with earth tones.
- Platform: two or three centimetres more without the discomfort of a heel. Changes proportions noticeably, so try it on.
- Slip-on: comfortable and quick, less supportive over long distances.
How to style them
With jeans there is little to think about: it works almost always. Just watch the hem — long jeans covering the shoe shorten the leg, so a turn-up or an ankle-length cut works better.
With a skirt, contrast is the point: a flowing skirt with a clean sneaker is one of the most successful pairings of recent years. With a midi skirt, a platform helps avoid a compressed silhouette.
With a dress, a simple monochrome style works best.
With tailored trousers it only works if the sneaker is minimal, in leather or suede, in a neutral colour.
White: how to make it last
The white sneaker is the most requested and the most delicate. Two habits extend its life considerably: clean marks immediately rather than waiting, and never put them in the washing machine — that is where sole separation usually starts.
How to clean them, material by material
The method changes with the upper: using the same product on everything is the quickest way to ruin a pair.
- Leather: damp cloth, a drop of mild soap, dry immediately. A colourless cream at each change of season prevents cracks in the creases.
- Suede: never water. Work dry with a rubber brush, always following the nap, and use a suede eraser on marks. Protective spray goes on when they are new, not later.
- Mesh and technical fabrics: soft brush, lukewarm water, very little detergent. Never under running water: what soaks into the midsole stays there for days.
- Canvas: the most forgiving material, brush and soapy water are almost always enough.
In every case, take the laces out before cleaning and dry them away from radiators and direct sun: dry heat hardens the glue and warps the upper.
Sizing
Sneakers usually run wider than formal shoes, often by half a size. With narrow feet, choose a lace-up style you can adjust. If you are between sizes and will wear sports socks, go up.
For conversion between Italian and other sizes, see our size guide.
When to replace them
A sneaker can still look presentable and have stopped doing its job. There are three signals to check.
- Worn sole: put them on a flat surface and look at them from behind. If they lean inwards or outwards, the tread is gone on that side and the foot is no longer aligned.
- Cushioning gone: press the midsole with your thumb. If it does not spring back, or you feel your heels after an hour of walking, the foam has finished its cycle.
- Warped upper: collapsed heel counter, creases turning into cracks, widened lace holes. Lacing them tighter does not fix it.
And if blisters appear where they never did before, the lining has worn through: no amount of care brings that back.
Frequently asked questions
How often should sneakers be cleaned?
A quick wipe every two or three wears, a proper clean once a month. On white pairs, marks should come off the same day.
Can I put them in the washing machine?
Better not: soles come unstuck, often after two or three washes. Laces and insoles, on the other hand, wash by hand with no problem.
How long does a pair last on average?
With daily use, twelve to eighteen months. Alternating with a second pair easily doubles that.
Leather or fabric for summer?
Around Lake Garda fabric breathes better; leather breathes less but cleans up in thirty seconds.
Where to see them
Our selection is in the women's sneakers collection. If you prefer to try them on, we are in Bardolino, Lazise and Peschiera del Garda: addresses on our Our Stores page.