The middle school version of myself was really cool. I was going through old photos last week, working on a project for my Mimi’s 80th birthday, and I stumbled upon a pictures of my friends and I. We were rocking out tucked in t-shirts (one of those t-shirts being a peace frog one), tennis shoes (mine were Adidas) and one of my friends was rocking a Pooh Bear watch. My bangs were large and uneven and according to some friends, I resembled a baby J. Lo. The coolest, let me tell you.
Shoes – c/o | Hoodie -c/o | Jeans
Shortly after those middle school days, I packed away my tennis shoes and opted for heels, nearly every day. I was really fancy like that. Well…20 years later, the tennis shoes are back in my life. The journey back to comfort has been slow going for me over the years. I traded my heels for flats years ago, but really, aside from running and working out, I wasn’t much for tennis shoes. I’m short and I’ve always felt that tennis shoes made me look shorter and younger. Then life happens and you just want your wardrobe to fit your life. The busier I get running around with the boys, the more I just want to wear something that makes all of that easier. I love my flats, but nothing beats a pair of tennis shoes.
Comfortable Style with Adidas
I went back and forth between the classic Adidas and this pair of neutral grey Swift Run Trainers. I opted for the running shoe, since they were both, cute and neutral, but I could also wear them when I run and workout. I have literally wanted to wear them every day since they arrived, and I pretty much have. Aside from the days I needed to get dressed for work of course! These shoes are insanely comfortable. The soles are a little wider than the foot bed, which gives a nice stable base for running; it may all be in my head, but I really feel like they give you a nice bounce in your step. The tongue is also attached to the shoe, so it’s almost like pulling on a pair of socks. I love them!
Shop The Post
My middle school self would probably look at this outfit and think…what kind of pants are those, are they high waters?! Why is there no color in this outfit?! …and are you wearing purple lipstick? Ew. When you’re in middle school, you know everything. I would have never guessed that years later I would look back at my middle school style and laugh. Now, what will I think of this outfit in 20 years? Only time will tell.
-Brooke
Now, let’s…get…linking!!
NEW! I’ve started a collaborative Pinterest board for the Oh, Hey Girl! Link-Up. I would love for you to join and share your looks there too! Just send me a message on Pinterest or at Brooke@pumpsandpushups.com if you would like to be added.
Link up any post you would like to show off; your outfit, home decor, recipe, workout. Anything at all! Because, oh, hey girl! I want to see it!
Link-Up ‘Rules’
1. Follow me on Bloglovin or Instagram
2. Link back to my site from your post, you can grab a button if you like!
See who I link with here! (p.s. – if you have a new link up on your blog, leave it in the comments, so I can add to this list!)
I’m glad my parents have all my childhood photos so I don’t have to look back at myself in middle school. It was definitely an awkward time for me! Love those cute tennis shoes!
Yes! Haha I showed my friends that were in the picture too, we died laughing. Today’s middle schoolers have a lot more style than we did!
While I don’t have any shoes like this, I do love flats for running around with the boys. My heel days are long behind me after a knee injury, so flats it is, haha! 🙂
Thank you for the link up!
Hope you are having a great start to the week and all your Christmas preparation is going well! I’m hoping to wrap some more presents today!
Away From The Blue Blog
I’ve become more of a tennis shoe fan recently as well – for the quick weekend errands when no other shoes really make sense! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Well how fun and comfy do you look? Adorable!! And can I get a C.U.T.E? The perfect run around outfit!
Brooke, what a fun post! You look so stinking adorable in this outfit regardless of what your middle school self would think! My middle school self was very uncool!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
You know about me and tennis shoes, I love this casual look.
xo
Pinksole
Yes, bring back the tennis shoes and totally comfy wear!
This casual outfit is the cutest on you, you can’t beat being comfy! Thanks for hosting Brooke!
Marta
http://www.sweatersstripesandsweets.com
So cute girl! Can’t go wrong with tennis shoes and a comfy outfit!
Katherine | http://www.oneswainkycouple.com
Such a cute casual look! I love finding great pieces that are warm and light weight. It’s so hard to run when you have on bulky layers.
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
Such a cute athleisure look!
You look SO cute and comfy! I absolutely LOVE that pullover!
Rosy Outlook
You look great! :))
http://www.meriwild.com
I do think we look back and laugh—-but at the time we were in fashion!!!
And this is perfect for the casual days….especially with 2 boys!!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I haven’t dressed for the day yet (oops) but when I do I will be replicating this look! Love it!
Cheryl
It’s funny how we change over the years! I’ve always been one to prefer comfort over glitzy because I felt most confident that way (maybe because it was just more me). 🙂
Erica
https://awastenotkindoflife.com/top-5-alternative-christmas-trees/
You always look so fabulous in whatever outfit you are wearing! Love this look
It’s funny how fashion always comes back around! I have to admit, being a mom to two toddlers, I couldn’t be happier that the athleisure trend is in! I love that I get to wear sneakers and still look stylish, and I’m loving your look!
Rachael
http://www.threadsforthomasblog.com
love this outfit! All about comfy clothes!!
Isn’t it funny how much we thought we knew back then?! Oh my goodness, I bet that picture is priceless though! My adult self happens to love this look on you. I am thinking I need to get those sneakers because the only ones I have are my converse. I love this hoodie too! Sierra~Beautifully Candid
Love this comfy look! Such cute sneakers.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Cute outfit and fabulous shots! Thanks for hosting the link up. x Jacqui
http://www.mummabstylish.com
As life changes so does my wardrobe. I am all about comfy clothes, comfy shoes and am so glad that athleisure is in right now!
http://www.mylittlenest.org
So cozy yet so chic, perfect for a busy mom with young kids. Love the sneakers and sweatshirt!
Thank you Ada!
Me too girl!!
Thank you for linking Jacqui!
Thanks Amy!
It’s too funny to look back, I’m like girl what you didn’t know! Haha!
The best kind!
Me too! Totally lucked on the whole wearing sneakers and still being stylish!
Aw thank you Veronica!
I’ve always loved your style! 😀 I’m all about that comfort now!
You always look fabulous Cheryl!
I remember like not caring if I wasn’t perfect either, oh to have that 8th grade confidence back!
Thank you Meri!
Thank you Kelly!
Thank you Amy!
Yes!! The best of both worlds 😀
Thanks katherine!
Thank you Marta!
The best!!
You always make your tennis shoes look fabulous!
Haha I thought I was so cool!
Haha! Thank you Andrea!
Im totally struggling with getting dressed any other way lately!
It’s so funny, I used to wear heels so much, they never bothered me. If I put them on now, it just feels so foreign! Cute flats are always a win!
I was pretty much identical in middle school! Love this look, your sneakers are so fun!
xx, Elise
http://www.sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com
Hahahaha, I think we had very similar middle school fashion senses! 😉 Love your dove gray look here, lady- cozy but chic enough to go anywhere.
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Haha I know I was typing this like what do I call these shoes? I’ve always called them tennis shoes, but they go by so many names! Thank you Lisa, you’re the sweetest!
We were so cool! Haha!
That middle school style was hot girl!! Thank you!
Great comfy and casual outfit! I love the hooded top!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Haha! I totally agree with what you said. Just recently I bought a pair of tennis shoes to wear for not working out but for casual wear, and Mr. says, so you bought a pair of workout shoes to wear out and about… haha. Definitely in Middle school you know everything!
Your photos are wonderful! Great outfit
http://www.recklessdiary.ru
Love this athleisure look on you! So cute!
xo Jules
I love your story – I love that sneakers are back and cool to wear (and not just for working out).
Lisa
Daily Style Finds
It is true, our style does change and evolve over the years for what works best for us and what is popular. Right now, I work at home so I am all about comfort and when I do get to dress up I then get the heels out! Love those neutral colored sneakers and the jacket!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
loving those sneakers! great outfit!
kelseybang.com
Great post dear ………keep posting!!!
New Year Diaries
You look adorable in this sporty look. Love the hoodie and the sneakers!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Love this look! I wear this outfit all the time! Sneakers are so comfy!
xo,
Jacqueline
Stylin In St. Louis
It’s the best!!
Thank you so much Jessica! I saw you on the reward style email this past week, you’re a rockstar!
Thank you Kelsey!
Thank you Carrie!
Me too!! It’s so nice to wear comfortable shoes and not feel like you’re not fashionable!
Thank you Jules!
Haha yes my hubby was the same way!
Thank you Anya!
Thank you Emma!