when the going gets tough, the tough get sneakers

[cimorene]

The problem with these shoes is that they are made by Sperry Top-Sider, a brand of boatshoes aimed at dowdy yuppies who would like Lands' End except that their need for conspicuous consumption causes them to eschew mail-order catalogs in favor of brands sold at Nordstrom's. So my advice is to remove all brand markings or lie if asked - not actually skip the shoes entirely, though, because they're really cute.

"Largo" ballet flats by You-Know-Who.