I spend a lot of time in running and fitness gear. Between my love for running and my job working in youth sports, I’m constantly in athletic and leisure clothes. Honestly, 90% of my closet is probably some variation of leggings, running shorts, sports bras, and comfortable shoes.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t like to get dressed up and feel cute, too.
While running shoes will always be my first love, there are definitely times when a pair of daily trainers just doesn’t fit the occasion. My girlfriendS and I like to hit up local wineries as a way to celebrate our runs, and while most of these places have a pretty casual dress code, I don’t always want to show up in tights and running shoes. Sometimes I want to look a little more feminine.
That’s where Oasis Society comes in. The brand offers a variety of women’s shoes designed for those times when you want something a little more polished, ranging from casual flats and loafers to dressier heels and strappy styles. I recently checked out The Demi, a 3.25-inch heel that caught my attention because it combines a cute, feminine look with some comfort technology that I think a lot of female runners can appreciate.
Looks
First of all, I absolutely love the vegan leather with the red woven finish. It’s eye-catching without being too much, and it has just enough personality to make the shoes feel special. I’ve actually had several girlfriends — and even a few random people — comment on how cute they are when I’ve worn them.
The Demi has that fun, dressed-up look that makes me feel like I actually put some effort into my outfit, even if the rest of my wardrobe is still leaning heavily toward my usual casual style.
Comfort
Of course, looking cute is only half the equation. As a woman who spends a ridiculous amount of time in running shoes, I have gotten very spoiled by comfortable footwear. I’m not interested in wearing a cute pair of shoes if I’m going to be counting down the minutes until I can take them off.
That’s what initially caught my attention about the Demi’s DreamCloud cushioned insole. The name alone sounds like something that should be inside a running shoe, and the idea is pretty similar: provide soft cushioning and support so you can actually spend some time on your feet.
The Demi lets me walk around, hang out, grab a drink, or even dance a little without immediately thinking, “OK, I need these shoes off.”
Obviously, these aren’t running shoes – I’m obviously not going to be logging my next 5K in them. But I appreciate that Oasis Society seems to understand something that female runners know particularly well: just because we aren’t running doesn’t mean we want our feet to suffer.
The Run Oregon Take
I’m never going to be the woman who gives up her running and athletic shoes entirely. But I also don’t want my identity as a runner to mean I have to wear athletic gear everywhere I go.
Sometimes I want the leggings. Sometimes I want the running shoes. And sometimes I want to put on a cute outfit, throw on a pair of heels, and feel a little more dressed up. For winery trips, date nights, dinners, or those occasions when I just want to feel a little more put together, these have become a fun addition to my closet.
Because yes, I’m a runner. But I’m also a girl who likes cute shoes.
