sneakers | What Jenn Wore

Summer’s Perfect Pair

May 17, 2017

Schools nearly out for summer! And while Seattle’s weather may still not be cooperating, I’m ready to trade my sweaters in favor of summer dresses. Sandals may be summer’s quintessential shoe, but they’re not always the most practical for the modern woman-on-the-go. Enter the vintage-inspired Brooks’ Renshaw Court shoe. Perfectly comfy and stylish; white leather pairs well with all of my lighter summer pieces. And the addition of the sneaker to a more feminine look gives an outfit a fun, athletic vibe…girlie meets street-style, if you will.

If you missed it earlier this week, Kirsty and I are styling our new kicks in preparation for summer weather (with hopes and bated breath). Be sure to check back in for our “famous” (we like to think so!) 4-Way Friday post showcasing these fantastic Brooks sneakers paired with summer skirts and dresses.

{outfit details}
sneakers: Brooks Renshaw
dress: Madewell
hat: Madewell x Biltmore
bandana: (found at Queen Anne Frame)
bag: Coach
sunnies: Smith (found at Queen Anne Dispatch)
earrings: J.Crew

Happy Wednesday! Thanks for reading. ~Jenn

photos thanks to Natalia

Sneakers #MomStyle

February 1, 2017

Confession time! This is the outfit you will see me in most every day of the week (excluding work events and Sundays, when I’m not even dressed). Call this “Mom Style” or simply the uniform of a busy woman on-the-go; but a pair of black skinny jeans are sophisticated and can be worn with most anything. Not to mention, a sleek pair of black sneakers help me get through my hectic schedule with ease (and in comfort!). Add a few accessories and maybe a couple swipes of mascara, and you look put together…almost ready to face whatever the day throws at you!Sneakers…how I love you?! I am an absolute devotee to a street-style sneaker (don’t get me wrong, I like the functional ones too!). Lately, the pairs that I am reaching for most often are my Brooks Heritage sneakers (also seen here, here, and here). I’m obsessing over Brooks’ retro styling crafted in unique materials (think satin, pique, velvet, and suede) that make the sneaker totally luxe.

As luck would have it, just last night I got a special sneak peek at Brooks’ spring line. And it did not disappoint! New Vanguard and Chariot styles in fresh spring colors (one color story is inspired by gelato – pastels like pistachio, peach, and raspberry) and and entirely “new again” sneaker inspired by their early tennis collection. Need-less-to-say, I have several additions to my sneaker wish-list!

{outfit details}
sneakers: Brooks Chariot (c/o)
denim: McGuire Denim
cardigan: Treasure & Bond (planning to add this one to my closet)
plaid: Rails (sale!)
tee: Leith
bag: Zara (old)
sunnies: Smith Optics
choker: Vanessa Mooney
rings: Fresh Tangerine (heart & band), Katie Dean (evil eye)

Head on over to Kirsty’s blog to see how she’s styling her Brooks sneakers. And, yes, that means we’re planning to post our first “4-Way Friday” of the new year THIS Friday! Stay tuned for more fun antics (and possibly some blooper shots) just in time for the weekend.

As always, thanks for reading! ~Jenn

This post was sponsored by Brooks, but my heritage sneaker love is entirely genuine (all opinions totally my own).
photos thanks to Angie Anderson

2016 Trends & Sale Picks

December 29, 2016

The end of the year is a sentimental time and evokes feelings of nostalgia. With regards to my blog, it’s always fun to review the style trends of 2016 and predict what will remain current into the coming year. Below are some of my favorite style moments from this year, including pieces I will continue to wear into 2017. Also, as usual, I’m throwing in some shopping picks…all of which are on sale (tis the time of year to snap up some deals, after all)!

Oh, how I love a cropped, wide leg pant?! Call them culottes, or not; I’m still in love with the wide silhouette and ankle grazing length. However, always keep proportions in mind here. Tuck, belt or wear a more fitted top to balance the voluminous proportion of the pant (and show off your figure).

Bomber styles became 2016’s denim jacket. I’m still obsessing over my current collection! Satin, leather, cotton, and long or short; there is a bomber jacket for everyone in 2017!

This may be a divisive trend, but body con dressing made a resurgence this year. The bodysuit even returned in vogue. However, there is a simple way of beginning to embrace your curves – try a more fitted, slimming cotton dress (make sure there is a bit of stretch), then dress it down with a pair of sneakers so that you feel more street-wise and less Jessica Rabbit. Or layer with a more casual piece like a vest or denim jacket; showing off some of your figure but in a more comfortable way.

I’m not getting out of my sneakers anytime soon! I’ve loved seeing the street-style and athletic-wear inspired fashions of 2016. As athleisure continues to be a huge trend, we’ll all be rockin’ our favorite kicks well into 2017!

Oversized and long car coats are pieces that I gravitate to year after year. In fact, I had too many pictures to share! The long length and cozy knit make them ideal for in-between-the-season dressing and are perfect for colder weather layers. In Seattle’s climate, I basically wear mine 11 months our of the year! Further justification for my collection.

My favorite cocoon coat from Buki is now $100 off! Use code “Cocoon” at checkout.

Finally, I leave you with this important thought: a good shoe can take you anywhere.

Thank you so very much for joining me on this stylish journey. 2016 has been a year full of changes for me and I have enjoyed bringing new content, interesting collaborations, and unique photo shoots to life on this blog. I hope that you have been inspired as I have been this year and I look forward to bringing you more style inspiration in the year to come.

Happy New Year and cheers to 2017!! ~Jenn

PS. You can still find the tunic I’m wearing above here and my all-time favorite booties EVER.

4-Way Friday: Brooks Vanguard Style

October 6, 2016

Finally Friday! And, it’s a “4-Way Friday” here on the blog. If you’ve been following along this week, Kirsty and I have been styling Brooks Vanguard sneakers 4 different ways. And now we’re showing off our goofy antics, in addition to stylish ways to wear our new favorite kicks!
How awesome is Kirsty’s look?? I love pairing sneakers with a skirt or dress for a more dressed-down effect. Especially with a fitted mini-skirt such as this one, the changing of a shoe can make an entirely different look. For example, a heel would be much more va-va-voom, while the sneaker makes this skirt more casual, streetwear appropriate (maybe even school pick-up worthy). You can see all of the outfit details on Kirsty’s blog.

And this? Well, overalls and sneakers go together like peanut butter and jelly. It’s all about balancing proportions with this look. The top I’m wearing is more fitted (and cropped) to show some of my figure in contrast to the loose silhouette of the overalls and the oversized sweater. Booties could have worked here instead, but the sneakers just add such a relaxed, yet cool vibe…wouldn’t you agree? See more of this outfit in my earlier post.Fashion blogging can be such a struggle!

I love the playfulness of this outfit. Culottes paired with a leather jacket – equal parts relaxed and cool. Kirsty adds a graphic tee, making the look all the more interesting. See all the outfit details here.

A blazer and sneaker pairing is like the fashion equivalent to the mullet (business up top, all fun and comfort on the bottom)! I actually wore this look to work following this photo shoot. Polished and professional, yet practical. Especially since these Brooks’ Vanguard sneakers are more fashion forward than your run-of-the-mill comfort sneaker; they seem to pull the look together. And, I work on my feet all day…need I say more? You can see more here.

What’s under those sneakers? Only the best (and I mean it, I’ve tried a few!)…the BEST stealth socks on the market. These “sleuth socks” come up higher on your foot, so they stay put. And, made of breathable wool, they are sure to keep your feet comfortable (and your sneakers smelling sweet) all day long. Smartwool (ours are found at Queen Anne Dispatch).Hope you enjoyed our “Sneaker Week” featuring the new fall Brooks Heritage Collection. We’re striding into the weekend in chic comfort. Wishing you a happy Friday and thanks for reading! ~Jenn & Kirsty
photos by Jessica Wood

The Sneaker Diaries

October 4, 2016

I confess to having a minor (ok, major) obsession with sneakers (see Monday’s declaration here). Still your comfy, run-around kicks but with stylish, vintage-inspired design; these Brooks Vanguard sneakers meet all of my footwear prerequisites. Tried-and-true Brooks comfort meets satin quilting, suede detailing, with metallic accents. A major upgrade to your standard athleisure wear but also so easy to dress up, as I’ve done here, by adding a smart blazer and some gold accessories.

Skip on over to Kirsty’s blog to see how she is styling her Vanguard sneakers. Little known fact (and something she doesn’t dare admit now), but Kirsty is a recent sneaker convert. Purchased “only” to wear to Disneyland, her first pair of sneakers were bought out of necessity. She even scorned flats entirely, a self-proclaimed “heels girl.” And now? I rarely see her in other shoes…and certainly not heels! Her other footwear of choice? Birkenstocks. Yep, you guessed it…she was never going to wear those either!