White trainer woe...

[choixduroi]

I have white trainers, AISCs, worn them most days for a year. They are leather and can be cleaned but do look a bit worn now. In the cupboard I have an unworn pair of Nike Air with white mesh which I seem to be saving or worried they will get dirty and won't be easy to clean. Now contemplating replacing the Asics with a similar leather pair that can be cleaned. But feel guilty for environmental reasons, as I don't want to be buying and chucking a pair of trainers every year. Any white trainer experts out there to tell me what to do? My fashion style is extremely basic, in the office I wear black trousers, black ballet pumps and a blouse and jacket, and at home I wear jeans, white trainers, a top and a merino jumper.

Sorry I mean ASICS..

It just kind of bothers me as I don't like them looking yucky and worn around the sides of the sole - they just don't look that great any more.

Do you have a photo of the shoes that are looking yucky and worn around the sides of the sole?

Just sell the pair you don’t want and put money towards a leather pair ? Doesn’t seem that big of a deal really

My friends son supported himself through uni by selling trainers. He would clean the tops very carefully, depending on their composition. With white bottoms he would give them a good scrub then apply a weakish solution of peroxide(?) and cover with cling film. Any way. I’m sure there’s a YouTube on it. The trainers, picked up cheaply in charity shops, always looked fantastic at the end of the process. Clean your ASICS, wear your Nikes. Buy new trainers if you want and can afford it.

I'd just get on MandM Direct if you need new ones. I just paid £35 for new Reeboks. But if it's just the sole use some toothpaste and an old toothbrush!

This is why I refuse to buy white trainers, it seems most office workers must buy a new pair every 6 months which seems awfully wasteful considering my two pairs have been going strong 6-7 years.

I now just go for ones with coloured soles and leather tops so they are easy to clean and stay nice.

Thanks very much for the tips. Yes I think I need to spend a bit of time scrubbing them, they are not that bad. I think if I got another full year out of them I could get rid of them with a clear conscience. Couple of years ago I would have binned them and just got new ones, (never spending more than about 40-50 pounds) but have become a bit more thoughtful about it. The Nike Airs sitting in the cupboard is just silly, I should just wear them. Fwiw my other shoes, e.g heels or leather boots, I have had for up to 10 years or more.

I use Fairy liquid or Ariel to clean my white leather trainers, and then white renovating cream which helps to cover up scratches. But even so they don't last for more than a couple of years if I am wearing them as my main shoes.

Spray the mesh ones with protector before you wear them. Clean and repeat protector regularly. That's what I've done with DSs retro Nikes which cost a fair bit on Vinted.
Toothbrush and toothpaste for the worn ASICS. Ir just wear them for casual wear if they are no longer smart enough for the office, don't need to bin them entirely?