Boring. Super, duper boring. That’s exactly what I used to think about my all black Chuck Taylors that I had to buy as a uniform requirement for a past job. I wanted to get rid of them since I never wore them and they just seemed to be collecting dust, but I could never bring myself to do it because they were actually really nice and still in good condition. So one day, while I was waiting for my nail polish to dry, I see them sitting there in the corner of my closet looking all pathetic and sad like, “Somebody wear me!” If inanimate objects could talk, that’s what those shoes would be saying. No seriously though, they were looking pretty desperate, and being the kind soul that I am, I just had to help.
With a bunch of nail polish still lying around after making over my toes, it just seemed like a perfect “shoe-in” to apply the same concept to the rubber parts of my chucks. I laid down some newspaper to protect my work area and started a simple polka dot design to test the waters. After about 5 minutes the dots were completely dried. No topcoat necessary! How long the design lasts will depend on the activities you’ll be doing while wearing them. If they’re not shoes you use to hike or play contact sports with then I think the design should be semi-permanent aside from minor scuffs that can always be touched up. I’d suggest using masking tape to protect the canvas/fabric parts of your shoe from the nail polish just to be safe. I’ve had horrible experiences and am near traumatized from trying to get nail polish out of fabrics. I’m convinced there’s no remedy to that so be safe and try to avoid it altogether by lining the edges of the shoe where the rubber meets the canvas material unless you’re looking to paint a more permanent design on the fabric part then by all means, do. But if you’re seeking a customizable, changeable design then I’d stick to painting just the rubber parts.
These designs are easily removed with non acetone nail polish remover. I say non acetone because I feel like acetone would dry out and strip the rubber so keep that in mind. When creating your designs use your imagination and doodle whatever you want! Go Jackson Pollock on those soles and splatter it up! Whatever you do, I’m sure it’ll be fabulous, and I’m sure you’ll love it. And if you love it, I love it.
Share your DIY sneaker doodle designs with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram by tagging #DIYsneakerdoodle so we can see what you come up with! And while you’re at it, find us on Pinterest! Happy revamping beautiful people!
*Sidenote: For the polka dots design I used “Love & Beauty” polish from Forever 21, and for the “XOXO” design I used “NYC” (New York Color) nail polishes from Target (except I used the thin nail art brush from the “L.A. Color Art Deco” polishes that I have, and those I got from the “99 Cent Only” store with the infamous pink awning).
