New Balance 9060 Sneakers Review

In my ongoing quest for retro lifestyle sneakers, I decided to try another style in the New Balance lineup. Having seen the heavily embellished New Balance 9060 pop up frequently on my FYP, I tried on a pair at Foot Locker. The cushioning, reflective details, suede and mesh panels, and retro dad styling instantly won me over. I tried on a grey pair, but was really looking for the pink colorway. Fortunately, the helpful Foot Locker staff helped me locate a pair in pink at sister store Champs, located nearby.

The New Balance 9060 in pink pink, pictured below. I gasped when I saw them on the shelf, and it was a perfect match once I tried them on. This is my best purchase of 2024, and that's saying a lot, considering how much I shop. The muted mauve details will pair perfectly with grey, ivory, pale pink, and taupe pieces in my closet. 

At $150, they cost more than other popular New Balance styles, but the design details and superb comfort make them well worth it. I'm eyeing chrome blue and granite grey as potential future purchases. Keep reading for my New Balance 9060 review with tips on sizing and comfort.

Sizing

The New Balance 9060 runs true to size for me. It comes in unisex sizing, so if you're unsure, I'd try on in store if possible. The toe box is adequate without being boxy, and the arch support is more pronounced than the New Balance 327, 574, or 237 styles that I own. If you wear a larger shoe size, be warned that the chunky silhouette can make your feet appear bigger. The insoles on the 9060 are removable, which is a nice feature in case you want to add your own. 

Appearance

In terms of design, the New Balance 9060 is a maximalist shoe. It features mesh panels with suede overlays, a translucent CR device at the heel, a reflective "N" logo, a diamond outsole pattern for traction, and enough Y2K vibes to make any Gen Z sneaker enthusiast happy. It's the quintessential dad shoe, begging to be paired with baggy jeans and a hoodie, a cozy sweatsuit, or your favorite tee and leggings.

Comfort

With a dial density midsole, the New Balance 9060 is more cushioned than other New Balance styles, making it ideal for short runs, long walks, or long hours on your feet. I'd wear these for HIIT training, cycling, or other intense workouts. They feel supportive and light, and I'm looking forward to putting some mileage on them.

This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if purchases are made by clicking links.

Love New Balance? See my New Balance 327 sneakers review and my New Balance 574 sneakers review.

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UGG Funkette Slippers Review

During the dreary days of late winter and early spring, I always reach for my UGG Funkette slippers. They are the highest platforms in UGG's slipper lineup, so naturally, they're my favorite pick for cold nights and rainy days at home. They are similar in appearance to the UGG Disquette slippers or the popular UGG Scuffette slippers. Like the Fluff Yeah slides, they feature an elastic strap with the UGG logo at the back of the heel. I've had my UGG Funkette slippers for over a year in the best selling chestnut colorway. If you're considering purchasing this statement-making slipper, I'll be sharing my experience with sizing and quality in this UGG Funkette review. 

Comfort and Quality

The UGG Funkette is a solid platform slipper with a 2" heel, sheepskin collar, and sheepskin insole. The thick platform makes them look more like clogs than slippers. Sometimes I wear mine with the elastic strap tucked inside for easier, faster on and off. I also find them more comfortable with the strap tucked inside. If you're not used to walking in platforms, I'd wear the ankle strap for more stability. They are heavier than other UGG slippers, but not clunky. As a frequent wearer of platforms, I find them easy to walk in and I have not had any issues with stumbling or rolling an ankle. They keep your feet cozy and warm, especially when paired with winter socks.

I treat mine with suede protector, and I only wear them at home to keep them in good condition. If worn frequently, the insoles will flatten and degrade. If you plan to buy a pair in a color such as red or black, be aware of dye transfer onto your feet or socks. 

Since the UGG Funkette features the Treadlite sole just like UGG boots, these are suitable for outdoor wear. I would not wear them in rain or snow unless they are treated with a waterproofing spray. I often see girls wearing these while I'm out shopping. When worn with loose jeans, they look just like the UGG Classic Ultra Mini platform boots. 

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November 4, 2024 update - Shop UGG's collection of Fall 2024 slippers:

Sizing

The UGG Funkette runs true to size. As with most UGG shoes, the insole with mold to your feet in time, leaving more room. They only come in whole sizes, so if you're unsure, its better to size up. If your feet are narrow, I'd wear them with socks and use the ankle strap for a better fit. I wear mine with thick Nike crew socks or sometimes with colorful novelty socks. 

August 27, 2024 update - Shop the latest from UGG:

If you love UGG shoes, see my UGG Tasman review or my UGG Disquette review.

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Gucci Marmont Crossbody Bag Review

Every so often I treat myself to a luxury fashion gift. It typically happens on a birthday or after reaching a personal goal. During the pandemic, that gift was the Gucci GG Marmont small shoulder bag in pastel pink leather. Before making the purchase, I sought out online reviews for more information on interior capacity, durability, and quality. As is often the case with online searches for handbag reviews, I was led to YouTube, where I was met with an overload of enthusiastic unboxing videos and a lack of practical, useful information to help guide my purchasing decisions. Eventually, I braved the COVID retail landscape to visit a Gucci store to see the bag in person, test out the interior capacity, and try it on. 

I had originally planned to write this review soon after my purchase in late 2020, but time got the best of me and I forgot. All the better, because now I can attest to how my Gucci Marmont crossbody bag has stood the test of time. 

After buying my Gucci GG Marmont bag and using it for three years, I'm sharing my thoughts in this Gucci Marmont bag review with the hope that it will be of value to potential shoppers looking for helpful, real world opinions. At $1200 and up, the GG Marmont bag is not a purchase to take lightly.

 

I debated between the pastel blue and the pink (which are no longer available). In the end, I went with this pink beauty pictured below. It's a color which blends seamlessly into my wardrobe, and while I already own a black Marmont bag, this pink one actually gets more wear. For 2024, they came out with a new pink version with a tonal pink logo. 

Size

In terms of size, my Gucci Marmont bag fits just the essentials: a small wallet, keys, my mobile phone, hand sanitizer, sunglasses, and a few cosmetics. This is the "small" size. Unfortunately, I cannot fit a water bottle or reusable bag in it, but it's still a versatile and convenient size for everyday errands, going out to lunch, etc.

The dimensions are approximately 9.5" in width, 5" in height, and 3" in depth. The interior has one small interior slip pocket, which is about the right size for a lip gloss. The lining is made of microfiber fabric, which feels like suede. The interior does stain easily, so I recommend taking care to prevent pen marks and other pernicious stains. 

Comfort

The Gucci Marmont bag strap is adjustable, and the hardware is high very quality. The zipper opens and closes smoothly, but the pull tabs are short leather cords, instead of a metal pull tab. One of the things I dislike about the shoulder strap is that there is no strap keeper on the lower end, so the extra strap length sticks out a little bit. 

As you can see below, I tied pink ribbon around mine to keep it in place. Otherwise, the bag is comfortable to wear, which is something to look out for when the strap has a thinner width like this. In the past, I've found that wider straps are more comfortable on my shoulders. 

I wear mine across the body on the shortest strap setting, but you can also wear it on your shoulder or clutch it under your arm. 

Quality

The Gucci Marmont matelassé leather and the stitching are impeccable on my bag, and even after a few years, I can find no noticeable flaws. Unfortunately, the Gucci Marmont bags don't have feet on the bottom to protect them, so I never place my bag on the floor in order to keep it clean. I occasionally wipe it clean with a damp paper towel. I also take care not to wear the bag with dark denim or black pants, since darker colors can cause color crocking on lighter leather goods. With consistent care and storage, these bags can last for many years, making them a good investment.

I still regret not buying the blue bag, but at the time, I could only afford one, so pink was it. I've also been thinking about getting the white leather version for a while now, since it will pair with almost everything I wear during the summer.

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New Balance 574 Sneakers Review

For me, spring means stashing away the ankle boots and stocking up on sneakers for the transition to warmer weather and sunnier days. When I saw that New Balance came out with some 574 Core sneakers in a perfect mid-tone shade of pink (for $89.99), they haunted my dreams for a few nights. As an avid collector of New Balance sneakers, I had to make them mine. I'm deep into my pink coquette era, and I have been actively hunting for a cute pair of pink statement sneakers since last summer. Fortunately, Journeys had a new shipment of spring merchandise, and I was able to score a pair. In this post, I'll be reviewing the fit, sizing, and comfort of the New Balance 574 Core sneakers.

Sizing

In my experience, the New Balance 574 sneakers run slightly small. I recommend sizing up a half size for more comfort. If your feet are wide, I'd even go up a full size. Like other New Balance styles, the insoles are removable, so you can add your own inserts or orthotics. When it's cooler outside, I remove my New Balance insoles and I add UGG sheepskin insoles for a cozy feel. 

Appearance

In terms of design and styling, the New Balance 574 in pink sugar has a balanced mix of textural details, mesh and suede panels, a shiny patent heel panel, and tonal laces/logo. I love how the 574 silhouette is classic and understated, but the tonal pink uppers make them fashion forward.

They manage to look both modern and retro, with recycled materials for eco-conscious consumers. The only thing I'd change in terms of appearance is to make the logo white so it stands out. 

The rugged outsole and light cushioning make them appropriate for light hikes, short jogs, cycling, and leisurely walks. In terms of cushioning, I wouldn't reach for these for my HIIT workouts because I rely on my Hoka Bondi 8 sneakers for that. For me, the 574 is more of a lifestyle (or fashion) sneaker, and I plan to wear them with my handmade floral dresses for a casual sporty vibe throughout summer and fall. 

Compared to the New Balance 327 and 237, the 574 is more comfortable and feels more supportive. Compared to the 574+ platforms, the platforms are more cushioned and preferable for long walks than the 574. 

If you love platforms, then see my review of the New Balance 574+ platform sneakers.

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New Balance 574+ Sneakers Review

 As I find myself firmly embedded in my platform shoe era, I've been coveting a pair of New Balance 574+ sneakers for over a year. The combination of 2" platform and classic textural details make this shoe a must-have for my winter-to-spring transitional looks. It's the go-to lifestyle sneaker for an understated yet stylish look.

One rainy night, after a session of online shopping (ahem, browsing), I saw that a Journeys store near me had some new 574+ colorways in stock. Astral purple and chrome blue initially caught my eye, so I ventured into the store to try them on for size. The chrome blue is really gorgeous, and they look so much nicer in person. 

Keep reading for my New Balance 574+ review, including thoughts on fit, sizing, and quality.

Since I go up a half size on the New Balance 574, I tried on a half size bigger with the 574 platforms, but I ended up buying my true size in the white colorway. What's great is that the insoles are easily removable, so you can insert orthotics, cozy UGG sheepskin insoles, or other insoles if you like. If you have wide feet, or you plan to wear thick socks, I'd go up a half size.

 

Pictured below is the white colorway, which is more of a cream or taupe in natural lighting. They fit snugly with thick winter socks, and I plan on wearing them without socks in warmer weather. I chose this colorway because it's the most versatile, although I'm hoping that New Balance releases these in a perfect shade of bubble gum pink.

The New Balance 574+ in white and grey, $99.99

They feel nice and lightweight on the feet, and the tapered outsole design helps to propel the foot into the next step, a little bit like my old Hoka sneakers with the meta-rocker design. I can always appreciate a platform that gives me two inches of height and is comfortable enough to wear all day. I've never had blisters or issues breaking in any of my New Balance sneakers. They are reliable straight out of the box, and the $100 price point is a good value when compared to other sneaker brands. 

The insole and lining are comfortable and soft, and they have breathable panels which contrast nicely against the suede panels. 

While I would not wear these for my HIIT workouts, I would wear them for long walks, errands, and other casual endeavors. They offer adequate cushioning and great comfort, but I wouldn't wear a platform for my workouts for fear of twisting an ankle, so these will be more of a lifestyle sneaker than a fitness sneaker for me. 

February 27, 2024 update - If you love New Balance, see my review of the New Balance 574 Core sneakers.

This post contains affiliate links, and I may be compensated if purchases are made by clicking links.

Love New Balance? See my New Balance 327 sneakers review.

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