Image: @selmaksebbagh — Image: @selmaksebbagh

At this point in life, as stoked as I am on a pair of kicks sometimes it’s a battle of "Should I drop this $100-200 dollars or should I pay my health insurance?" Yay, adulting! Anywho, in the face of responsibility, I usually have to find a middle ground. I do this by buying versatile kicks that I know I can style with more than one pair of pants or just one dress and some I’ll cop knowing I can wear them in the gym as well as on the streets. So, here are five shoes you can rock all over your closet and some you can sweat in as well.

1) Chuck Taylor

The sneaker of all sneakers. Rocked originally by rebels, these babies have been a sorority fave in the last three years. This sneaker reigns supreme and is easily one of the most versatile out there. You can rock this with shorts, pants, t-shirt dresses, skirts - the possibilities are pretty endless. I would not take this into the gym, however. There’s not much stability for the ankle and virtually no arch support. You’d be better off going bare foot, but please don’t. By the way, this cop is under $100 for the original and right at $100 for the Chuck II.

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2) Adidas Superstar

A majority of street style snaps will involve the Superstar or the Stan Smith. The superstar, which a majority of 90’s babies begged their parents for when they were 8 has made a comeback in a major way. The rounded toe and the slight touch of color on the stripes makes this shoe easily one of the biggest go-to’s for inserting sneakers into ones wardrobe. If this shoe doesn’t have enough color for you, its cousin, the Gazelle is always a great solution. Also, this cop is usually under $100.

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3) Nike Air Max Thea

Some may argue that the Roshe could be considered more versatile but I truly believe the structure of the Thea is what makes it a more flexible option. In all black or navy you could incorporate this shoe into something you wear to the office (depending on the office, test out those waters on casual Fridays first, and then go from there). There’s more of a professionalism to the Thea. Also this is one that you could rock in and out of physical activity. I’ve run in this shoe and as long as it’s under five miles, you're good. But thanks to that Air Max technology that we all know and love, you can lift and jump around in it no prob.

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4) Vans Sk8-Hi

If you don’t vibe with Chucks, this may the shoe for you. With a little more structural support in this cop, if you’re looking for all day comfort and a laid back approach this is your shoe. The most common color is black which makes the shoe itself easy to pair but, it's produced in many different colors and continously has cool releases. This is a great shoe for every day wear. Plus, it looks great with a pair of cuffed pants and your favorite top.

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5) New Balance 96

This New Balance staple is just as cushy as it is cute. Kind of like the puppy of sneakers. Offered in three colorways, it takes away the anxiety for the indecisive. Not to mention, each colorway is easily transmittable into a wardrobe. New Balance tends to get more of a 'hipster' claim but there’s an amazing sport approach to a lot of their shoes. Considering their foundation lies in running, there has to be. Granted, it hasn’t been the best year of press for New Balance - however, all politics aside, they produce a great product that would be an excellent choice to incorporate into your wardrobe. You could rock these in the gym as well. There’s definitely enough support to ensure a solid work out.

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The goal one day is to be able to buy sneakers like I buy underwear. Different pair for each day of the week. However, since I'm ballin on a budget (as some may say) I have to be a little more cognitive of where my money is goin. So, this is the most efficent way. Make sure that you're coppin kicks that you know will fit in to your wardrobe. But that's also about knowing your wardrobe. If you have crazy colors everywhere than an exclusive Air Max may be up your alley. Do you mama.