How to tie Golden Goose laces

How to tie Golden Goose laces, how do Golden Goose sneakers fit, how to clean Golden Goose sneakers, and why are Golden Goose so expensive?

Founded in 2000 by young Venetian designers Alessandro Gallo and Francesca Rinaldo, Golden Goose is the starter of the “ugly sneaker” trend: pre-distressed sneakers, carefully handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail. Comfortable, durable, and stylish.

We discussed these perfectly imperfect shoes in our previous Everything you need to know about Golden Goose Sneakers article. Today, we want to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Golden Goose sneakers.

 

why are golden goose so expensive

What is a Golden Goose? What does “Golden Goose” mean?

A golden goose is a steady source of wealth and success. In the fable “The Golden Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs”, Greek storyteller Aesop writes of a goose that laid one golden egg a day. The magic goose was killed by its greedy owner, who hoped to get all the gold at once. The moral of the story: “those who have plenty want more, and so [they] lose all they have.”

Like golden goose eggs, we fully support a regular schedule of new “drops” of Golden Goose sneakers into your closet. But first, read on to understand why Golden Goose are so expensive.

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why are golden goose so expensive

 

Do Golden Goose sneakers run small or large?

Golden Goose sneakers come in whole sizes (women’s US 4 to US 11, and men’s US 6 to US 14).

If you are in between sizes or have narrow feet, we recommend going down a size: they tend to fit wider than other sneakers, and the difference in heel height slightly shrinks the length of the foot overall. 

If you have wider feet, and have trouble finding sneakers that fit just right, you will love Golden Goose! Go for your normal size, and enjoy the comfort (and the height advantage).

An extra word on comfort: Golden Goose sneakers come pre-distressed and weathered, so you won’t have to “break them in.” Simply wear them straight out of the box, and forget about sore feet and blisters!

If you have a job that requires you to stand all day, enjoy long walks or travel a lot, Golden Goose are the sneakers for you.

 

how to tie golden goose laces

Golden Goose Size Chart

Golden Goose Size Chart

How to tie Golden Goose laces

This might seem like a question with an obvious answer, but, if you want your Golden Goose to look their best, tying your shoelaces into a neat bow is not ideal.

These sneakers are made to look effortlessly cool, like you slipped them on on the go – which you can do, if you leave your laces untied…like this:

  1.     Put on your shoes and make sure they’re tight enough
  2.     Tie a little knot at the end of each shoelace

Done!

 

how to tie golden goose laces

 

But…won’t they get looser with each step, and eventually slip off your foot?

Maybe. To avoid that, do this instead:

  1.     Put on your shoes and make sure they’re tight enough
  2.     Tie a knot with each shoelace as close to the lace hole as possible
  3.     If the laces are too long, keep tying little knots until you reach your desired length

Now you will never have to tie your shoes again!

Keep in mind that, after a few months of wearing them, your sneakers might stretch and feel a little loose, so you might have to tighten your laces and re-tie the knots.

What socks to wear with Golden Goose sneakers

Most Golden Goose sneakers have a low profile, including the iconic Superstars, so we recommend wearing no-show socks with them.

If you’re brave enough, you can even go sock-less—Golden Goose sneakers are very breathable, so don’t worry too much about sweat. 

 

why are golden goose so expensive

 

A few models, like the Francy sneakers and the Classic Slide sneakers, are high tops, so you can go ahead and wear mini crew socks with them.

How are Golden Goose sneakers made?

Though they may look ‘used,’ Golden Goose sneakers are made from the highest-quality materials that Italian shoes are known for—full grain calfskin leather, premium cotton laces and loopback cotton lining. Each pair is uniquely handmade and hand-distressed, which actually means it takes a long time to produce them.

On any given pair, the right shoe may not match the left shoe perfectly, and this is intentional. They are usually similar in terms of marks and distressing (there is a method to the pre-distressed look!), but the patterns are not always identical.

 

 

Keep in mind that the presentation and storage box is sometimes distressed as well and varies by model. This is important to note because this is not a defect or damage from shipping and handling.

You’ll also notice the interior lining, which is not smooth leather or unvarnished suede leather, but rather a loopback cotton toweling material, which makes the shoes warm in the winter and cool in the summer for your feet. This is also a purposeful design feature so your sneakers are pleasant to wear year-round.

These are all subtle design cues that make Golden Goose sneakers so special.

How to clean Golden Goose sneakers

Just because your Golden Goose sneakers have a pre-loved look, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t clean them regularly to ensure their longevity.

Here’s how to clean Golden Goose sneakers:

  • Upper: use a soft brush or toothbrush to remove dust and debris. Then, clean the leather upper of your shoes with a soft, lightly dampened cloth. Every few months, you can apply a renovator oil, to condition and moisturize the leather.
  • Soles: regularly clean the soles of your shoes using a damp cloth and neutral detergent. You can also use a toothbrush to remove dust and debris.
  • Laces: remove the laces and hand wash them using a mild detergent. Air dry at room temperature.

 

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Are Golden Goose sneakers worth it?

Why spend over $400 for a pair of shoes that looks like they’ve already been used, and “pre-loved”? Why are Golden Goose so expensive?

Here’s Golden Goose sneakers are worth the price tag:

  • Each pair is uniquely handmade and hand-distressed in Italy.
  • They go with everything: pair them with jeans, a dress, a skirt…Golden Goose sneakers are a closet staple to wear throughout the seasons, day and night.
  • They’re super comfortable! These sneakers are crafted in premium quality, supple leather, and feature a padded leather insole that provides support to the heel and the arch of the foot.
  • They’re extremely durable. They will last years in your closet and, since they come pre-distressed, you don’t have to worry about them looking worn out.
  • They’re sooo stylish! Golden Goose sneakers are vintage-inspired yet contemporary, and unlike any other shoe on the market. We can’t get enough of them.

Discover our large selection of Golden Goose sneakers for women, men, and kids: we constantly have the best pricing offer in the market, as we import our items directly from Italy!

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About the Author

Alex English is the Head of Content Marketing at italist.com, building on a lifelong passion for fashion and luxury. After publishing a lifestyle blog for nearly ten years and obtaining an MBA in Milan at SDA Bocconi, one of Europe’s top business schools, he joined the italist team in 2019. His work since then has focused on upper-funnel messaging, brand storytelling, establishing italist as a thought leader in the space, and enriching the customer experience on the platform. Find him on LinkedIn.