Molly Bloom knows style

My favorite all-time sneakers are Tretorn Nylites. I have owned at least a dozen pairs since the sixth grade when a visiting family friend showed off hers. She lived in a different world as an East Coast preppy with the perfect no-flyaways bob. I was living in Indiana with my long frizzy hair plated into two braids. I felt unsophisticated in my matching shorts set that featured an all-goose rock band (although there are probably some Vice magazine hipsters who would kill for my ensemble these days). I had to have the shoes. There was something about them. Call it an early style awakening.

Tretorns were the first luxury sports shoe. Professional tennis players wore them in the 1960s and ’70s, hence their prep school appeal. They are cushy and feel great on my feet. Tretorns went off the market about a decade or so ago. The ’90s weren’t kind to white shoes or preppy looks. About six years ago I was buying a lot of vintage preppy stuff. I decided to bring back Tretorns. I went on the hunt and finally tracked down a pair in New Jersey. I wore them out dancing one afternoon at 111 Minna and every East Coaster of a certain age talked to me about them.

Now that everything old is new again the shoes are back in production. Tretorns also work for guys who are looking for that classic deep preppy summer look. They don’t work with dark denim or tight pants and they look best bare-legged, sans socks. They are stunning with the right casual skirt or even preppy shorts. I have a pair of ancient khakis that are rugged and snipped off at the bottom for clam digger length that are perfect for Tretorns. Just about anything from Lilly Pulitzer looks great with Nylites. I call the look Haute Preppy. Here’s to spring!