Celebrating your individuality through style is a powerful way to turn heads and stride the streets with confidence. However, styling isn’t just about the clothes you wear – it’s about elevating your entire look with unique, personalised touches. Shoe charms are a fun, playful and distinctive way to add your personal flair to your footwear, making your shoes a true extension of your personality.
From intricate lace details to dazzling glitter charms, chic pins and elegant pearls, the possibilities for customising your sneakers are endless. You can get creative and crafty, transforming your beloved pairs into unique expressions of who you are. Each charm and detail can give your shoes a different personality, allowing you to showcase various aspects of your style.
Here’s a guide on how to DIY embellished sneakers, ensuring you can add that little bit *extra* to your look. Whether you're aiming for subtle sophistication or bold, eye-catching designs, these tips will help you create footwear that stands out in any crowd.
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR SHOES FOR SNEAKER JEWELLERY
The first step to preparing your sneakers for decorating is to clean them. Whether they’re suede, leather or canvas, ensuring they’re in good shape is key. If you’re not sure about the best way to scrub them up, check out our guide.
Secondly, you should have a plan in mind. Map out where you’d like to place your shoe charms, which laces you’d like to use, and whether you’d like your charms to be temporary or permanent. When inserting holes into your sneakers, it’s important to research the best process depending on the material.
Lastly, put on your favourite playlist and get crafting! DIYing is soothing for the soul – so whether you’re doing it solo or with your friends, get ready to let your creative juices flow.
HOW DO YOU PUT ON SHOE CHARMS?
Shoe charms range from adding cute pins to your sneaker’s tongue or eyelets. A popular way to do this is by buying or thrifting pins and attaching them to the suede, leather or canvas of your sneakers. Ensure your pins have flat backs to avoid foot irritation, and add a bit of super glue around the punctured hole to keep the pin in place and prevent stretching with each wear.
For a less permanent option, try dangly charms. These can be thrifted or found at any jewellery store. Ensure the clasp is big enough to be attached around your shoelace, and feel free to add as many charms as you like.
To take your DIY project further, design your own charms. Got a small shell from your fave beach holiday? Or a locket charm with a picture of your pet? You can attach any trinket to a safety pin with super glue, then pin your charm to your laces or shoe for that extra personal touch.
Another cute way to add bling to your sneakers is to thread an old necklace or chain around the back of your shoe. Attach it to the top eyelet, loop it around the heel, and fasten it to the other top eyelet.
As you can see, the options are endless when it comes to decorating your shoes! You can pick and choose from pieces lying in your jewellery box, create your own or hunt for shoe charms that match your style.
HOW DO YOU PUT ON LACE CHARMS?
Another popular way to embellish sneakers is with fun laces. For a cute vibe, use lace thread to elevate your sneaker game. Mix things up with different types that match your aesthetic.
Introduce cool colour combinations that complement your adidas sneakers. Pink, fluffy lace pairs well with red, baby blue, or white hues, while sturdy black lace looks stylish and sleek with neutrals.
Have an old string of pearls or a gold chain you're not wearing? Thread them through with lace or colourful laces to add extra bling to the front of your shoe. Or take your laces to the next level by adding charms. Since laces can always be removed, this is a great way to join the sneaker jewellery trend without making permanent changes.
Experiment with different lacing techniques. Discover all the ways you can tie them on our blog – from ladder to straight!
BLING IT ON
Now you're ready to personalise your shoe collection, which option will you choose? Will you opt for something understated and chic, or embrace a bold, eye-catching look with multiple charms, funky laces, and pins? Perhaps you'll experiment with different themes for different days, mixing and matching to reflect your mood or outfit.
Whatever you choose, you have the freedom to switch up your style with different sneakers each day. The choice is yours, and your shoe charm style is entirely in your hands!