How to Use Sneakers to Hit on Girls

You're doing it wrong.

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You've tried everything you could think of and read every edition of "Dating for Dummies," yet you continue to strike out with the ladies. You gave it your all and being yourself simply wasn't enough; your personality alone just wasn't cutting it. Poor you. Give it one more shot, and this time try coming at it from a different angle. We know how much you love sneakers, and while not all women care as much as you do, you can still put this to good use. You're not exactly a ladies man but sneakers are your passion and something you're confident about. Remove yourself from the friend zone once and for all and read up on How to Hit on Girls with Sneakers.

Lurk hashtags.

A really simple way to filter what you're looking for is to look through hashtags. If you're looking for a little lady to share your sneaker lifestyle with, look no further than Instagram as a starting point. For example, try searching #chicksinkicks and you'll find a plethora of ladies to spark your interest. They won't necessarily be local but in 2013, internet friendships can easily evolve into more. Just beware the catfishes and don't be a creep.

Compliment her sneakers.

Everybody likes compliments every now and then, and it's refreshing when somebody points out something different. She may not have the hottest sneaker collection but maybe she has a few cool pairs. Hit her up with something as simple as "nice kicks"—it's far less thirsty than telling her she has luscious lips or leaving screenshot-worthy lines in her comments. Complimenting her footwear is less invasive (read: creepy) and also opens a topic of conversation, one that you already feel comfortable with.

Offer her the connects.

If you work at a shoe store, give her some insider tips about releases and even offer up your discount if you can. It gives you an excuse to talk to her more, and for her to listen. Tread lightly or else you'll end up getting friend-zoned but still hooking her up with J's every Saturday. Just be cautious with what you give up and don't get fired over a girl!

Buy her new kicks.

This one is a little out there but some guys have money to blow on a girl they barely know. If you find some kicks in her size or on sale, scoop them up and surprise her. Casually joke that now she owes you a date. If she can rock GS sizes, you can easily find some goodies for under $100. Hey, it sure beats a $200 date. If you don't have the funds, make the offer anyway (say it as a joke to be safe) and pray she doesn't accept. This will shed some light on what kind of person she is as well. (I ain't saying she a gold digger...)

Take a matching sneakers pic.

Now that you follow each other on Instagram, it's safe to assume you've gone through most of her pictures and gathered enough intel to pursue further action. If she posts a picture of her Jordan XIs, post a pic of you wearing yours too. What a coincidence! You won't even have to say anything—she'll take the bait. Take notice if she has a pattern and try to work yourself into it. Point out that you guys match and she might even suggest taking a pic herself. Hashtag hisandhers. Hashtag twinsies.

Help her find her grails.

Many people struggle with that one elusive pair, the one that got away. Help her find her grails at the right price and she'll never forget about it. She'll love you forever—okay, maybe not "love" and maybe (probably) not "forever," but for a period of time you will be her favorite person in the world.

Talk to her.

Pick her brain about sneaker topics. Let her rant to you about how having tiny feet won't let her sneaker collection be great. Ask her questions. Hype her up for knowing things most people don't, and she'll feel like an expert. You'll close in on a common interest and she'll feel like she can talk to you. If she's not a sneaker girl, just talk to her about stuff she likes and put her on to the sneaker world.

Show her new stuff.

You already follow all the sneaker/streetwear blogs and bloggers. Show her the new Flyknits before she sees them. Send her links and screenshots of things you think she'll like before she sees them on Adrianne Ho. Even if she's on top of this stuff, she'll know you were thinking about her.

Send her alley-oops.

Keep a few of her interests on your radar and hit her up when something she's been eyeing goes on sale, or something she's been looking for magically appears on eBay. You're already watching a dozen (or two) auctions already, what's a few more?

Tell her you're a sneaker blogger.

If all else fails, you could always tell her you're a sneaker blogger or intern. That'll get her attention, at least enough for her to follow back, respond to your DM or even acknowledge your existence. How sneaky of you. But then again if that's what it takes to garner her interest, maybe she deserves it.