Sneak Attack
Alternatives to ubiquitous Adidas sneakers.
I hope 2025 is the year Adidas Sambas and Gazelles are retired. I get that they are comfortable and come in a lot of different colors but I feel like it’s time to consider some alternatives.
I live in NYC, a walking city, and spend a lot of time in Paris, another walking city. As chic as boots can be, I can’t walk long distances in them. I can’t wear them on my stupid little mental health walks or to run errands. The days of wearing ballet flats on walks are over too. I need a comfortable sneaker so my knees don’t feel like they need replacement surgery the next day. In the winter, I wear them with wool trousers and a pulled together outfit that can be worn anywhere without looking too casual.
I’ve put together some cold weather appropriate outfits with Adidas alternatives so you can look chic, be comfortable, and stay warm this winter.
If you are traveling my planes, trains, or automobiles this winter, this would be a comfortable outfit to wear.
I love a tweed or checked coat for winter like this oversized tweed houndstooth coat to add some extra color and texture to my solid colored separates. It’s also on sale.
I am trying my best to add more color to my winter wardrobe and this lilac donegal wool blend turtleneck sweater would look great with brown, grey, and navy.
A comfortable trouser for working at home or travel days are these taupe wool-blend knit straight leg pants. A less expensive version are these taupe shaker-stitch sweater pants.
I really don’t need another bag but I’m madly in love with this eggplant suede crossbody bag for adding more color to my life.
The first time I realized you could wear sneakers in Paris and look very dressed up was on a Chanel Beauté press trip in 2015. One of the beauty editors showed up the first morning in a sweater, ivory knit trousers, Hogan sneakers, and a navy Tom Ford coat with a black astrachan fur collar thrown over her shoulders. These Hogan sneakers are perfect for replicating the look.
If you need a bag to carry your laptop to work or for travel, I love this Rue de Verneuil Medium Traversée Bag but I prefer the XL size for longer trips.
When the weather is very cold, you need a wool hat that covers your ears like this dark red wool beanie and not a decorative hat.
I’m not allowed to buy another coat since I just bought this grey ‘S Max Mara coat but I love this handmade oversized wool coat. (It’s double-faced wool so more for those of you in warmer climates or for April weather.) The color of the coat is petrol which has been one of my favorite colors ever since I bought a pair of petrol ponyhair pumps from Anya Hindmarch at Harrod’s 20 years ago.
Complement the coat with this pine green cashmere turtleneck sweater. It comes in five other colors if green doesn’t suit you.
When you wish for the comfort of a sweatpant but need to look a little more dressed up, try these charcoal grey pull on wool flannel cargo pants.
I don’t need another bag either but I love this black suede bowling bag. Less expensive options are this black leather bowling bag and this black leather bag.
I bought these plum colored Prada collapse re-nylon and suede sneakers for New Year’s and love the color against all my grey trousers. They also come with plum colored laces which I prefer to the black.
Complement the sneakers without looking matchy-matchy with this lilac cashmere beanie.
There comes a point when only shearling will keep you warm in winter and I love this reversible shearling coat but you can find more styles here.
This chunky pure undyed cashmere turtleneck sweater is one of my winter favorites.
You can definitely wear ecru trousers in the winter but only on dry days.
You can never go wrong with a Gucci Jackie bag in burgundy.
If you like the look of Adidas but want something that’s not Adidas, try these Tod’s suede-trimmed leather sneakers.
Keep your head warm with the Pringle of Scotland cable-knit cashmere beanie.
This brown suede trench coat might be more of an Uber coat but that’s because it’s uber chic.
Pair it with a brown cashmere turtleneck sweater and Prince of Wales checked wide-leg pants.
Add a pop of red with this red leather bag from The Row. For a less expensive option, try this oxblood leather top-handle bag. Or you could go straight to the inspiration and find a vintage Hermès Plume bag.
These tan suede sneakers will elevate any outfit and allow you walk all day.
Top off the look with a brown cashmere hat or a more fun color.
I feel in love with this chevron wool and mohair-blend bouclé coat the minute I saw it but a less expensive somewhat similar option is this wool pied de poule coat. Much more reasonable is the oversized tweed houndstooth coat from above.
I love a Fair Isle sweater in the winter. I may have to put a post of them together soon.
I may need to buy these charcoal grey wool herringbone pants for myself. They would go with so many different colored sweaters.
The brown suede bag is super chic and not too crazy expensive.
I own these Toteme grey suede-trimmed wool-flannel sneakers and can attest that they are very comfortable. I also changed out the white laces to these grey laces and they look so much better.
The cashmere beanie is so reasonably priced you can get multiple colors.
I feel like a need a cheerful red coat like this red wool and cashmere coat in my winter wardrobe soon. A less expensive red coat is this red cape coat.
This Après Ski merino wool turtleneck sweater is perfect the city or slopes.
I love a navy trouser in the winter and these winter blue virgin wool wide-leg pants are perfect for pairing with any color sweater.
The color of this Gucci Horsebit 1955 Micro leather crossbody bag is snow light blue which makes it even more perfect for winter.
Show the young kids how cool you are with these blue Comme des Garcons x Spalwart runner sneakers.
Top things off with a blue cashmere hat.
This burgundy wool-blend coat is also a great color to brighten up your winter wardrobe.
I rarely wear black but I feel like I need this black and wool and cashmere-blend sweater in my life soon.
Instead of plain black pants, try these black and ivory checked wool-blend wide-leg trousers.
This lilac patent leather top-handle bag is great color and can be carried by the top handle or a shoulder strap.
I have these black Owen sneakers from The Row in taupe and ivory and they are very comfortable.
The grey patterned hat is the perfect finishing touch.
I’ve posted most of these winter essentials before but I keep getting asked about some of them so now they are all in one place.
I love Spanx tights because they don’t fall down but they no longer make the ones I own. Their plush tights sound perfect for winter under trousers or with skirts.
I prefer the Uniqlo Heattech t-shirt since it’s thin for layering under sweater.
When it’s really cold, I switch to the Hot Chillys micro-elite chamois crewneck. I hate thumb openings so I get my tailor to shorten the sleeves so they fit perfectly under sweaters.
My favorite socks are the Falke softmerino knee-high socks. I love them because they don’t fall down but they aren’t too thick.
My dad gave me HotHands Hand Warmers and Toe Warmers before a winter trip to Stockholm in 2004 and I’ve been using them ever since. They’re great if you want to use your phone and not wear gloves.
I love a dark polish in the winter like the Hermés nail polish in rouge h color. It’s works well against my pale skin.
For rain and wet snow days, I love this Balios umbrella. I have one in every color because they are so great.
For dry chapped winter skin, La Roche Posay Cicaplast is a miracle worker. It’s great for after laser treatments too. I layer it over Dr. Diamond Metacine Instafacial Plasma.
For scarves, I love the Eric Bompard stole that comes is a beautiful range of colors and also the Heidi Wynne scarf in my Habitually Chic buff color.
Even though this post was about sneakers, it’s going to snow today and Sorel boots are always the best option for bad weather. I bought these shearling-lined and rubber-trimmed leather ankle boots for this winter.
“People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.” — Anton Chekhov
Stay warm and chic!
XOXO,
HC
Love your color pairings. Coordinated without being too matchy - so chic!
Such a great post to get us through the doldrums of winter. Love it all!