How does a sneakerhead pick what shoes to travel with? Ask Liz Beecroft, who works hard to balance the competing worlds of social media and mental health as an online sneaker guru and licensed therapist. Here, Beecroft lends us her advice for packing a suitcase—and unpacking emotional baggage—in style.
At only 28, Liz Beecroft has been a basketball player, grad student, licensed therapist, and sneaker guru who’s collaborated with brands like Nike on limited-edition releases. Although her move to New York in 2014 brought with it the wave of fashion inspiration that kickstarted her career as a bonafide sneakerhead, it all really began with her childhood in Frackville, Pennsylvania—a small town a few hours north of Philly where ball was life (and, according to her, one of the relatively few things to do).
“It started with playing basketball,” says Beecroft. “I was always fascinated by Allen Iverson, my favorite player growing up. Him, Jordan, Jason Kidd—all those guys with the Nets and the 76ers mostly—I always wanted their shoes, and each year they’d have another shoe out and I’d have to get that, and the next thing I knew I was collecting all these basketball shoes.”
On Instagram, Beecroft is a pro at showing off her style for the masses; in real life, she’s a pro at helping people work towards better mental health. Along with being a sneakerhead, she’s also a working therapist—but figuring out how to make both jobs fit together took time.
“Just because most therapists aren’t into sneakers doesn’t mean you can’t be.”
“I didn’t really talk about mental health at all when I started, and it got to the point where I had these two separate lives,” she says. “It was hard for me, and it also didn’t really align with my values. I started going to therapy again and my therapist was like, ‘It’s okay to be both! Just because most people in the sneaker space don’t talk about mental health and just because most therapists aren’t into sneakers doesn’t mean you can’t be.’”
While balancing between her life online and off is an ongoing process, Beecroft has found a way to do it—and do it well—even when she’s on the go. Below, she shares her secrets to packing a colorful wardrobe, choosing what sneakers to bring along, and the way she deals with her own travel anxiety.
How to pack mix-and-matched looks (and wear them well)
I’m definitely inspired by colors and anything that’s a statement piece, but at the same time, I love calm pieces. I like to mix and match a basic with something that’s a statement piece—patterns, prints, and mixing patterns is something I find to be aesthetically pleasing. Most people look at me like, “Why are you wearing this together? It doesn’t make sense.” But for me, I think anything that most people think doesn’t make sense, makes sense for me.
The best sneakers for rushing to your gate
My current favorites are the Nike P-6000s or a pair of the Nike x Sacai LD Waffles. Both are extremely comfy.
How many pairs does a sneakerhead pack?
At least 5 pairs of sneakers: A basic solid white pair (usually Air Force 1s), a pair of Jordan 1s, something fun like my atmos x Nike AM 90 Animal Pack, a pair of high tops like the Comme des Garçon x Nike ACG Mowabb, and any current favorite new release.
How many pairs of sneakers CAN a sneakerhead pack?
I recently went to Italy and brought 9 pairs with me.
The one thing she never leaves home without
My headphones. I have to have them; if I’m flying, or even just in the car, music gets the travel time ticking. Lately, I’ve been listening to Post Malone—the new album is so good!
In-the-air skincare routine
I keep it really minimal because I find that the more product I put on, the more flared up I get. I use mostly Glow Recipe products because they’re very lightweight—not a lot of extra ingredients in them—and they do the job. I have the Pineapple enzyme serum which gives you a good glow, and then I put the Watermelon moisturizer on.
“Because of my anxiety—I have to plan ahead.”
Then at night, I use the Watermelon Glow Mask or the avocado one, and they all work pretty well. I always, always bring Dr. Jart’s Tigergrass Camel Drops because I have very sensitive skin. It helps keep my skin calm, it gets the redness down, which I like a lot. And then the Laneige sleeping mask to keep my lips good and soft and not chapped.
Planning down to the minute
I’m a planner, and I think it’s because of my anxiety—I have to plan ahead. My boyfriend and I have a shared Google Maps list, so we’ll have different cities and look into things. Even when we go to Disney, I’m one of those people who’re on the app making all the reservations, all the fast passes, making sure we’re good to go. Same thing in other places: I’ll look up the cool local restaurants that people like to go to and fun places to check out so I make a point to get to them.
- 1Away Bigger Carry-On, $245
- 2Nike P-6000 Sneakers, $100
- 3Nike Air Force 1 Sneakers, $90
- 4Air Jordan 1 Sneakers, $110
- 5Skullcandy Crusher ANC Wireless Headphones, $320
- 6Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask, $45
- 7Glow Recipe Pineapple-C Bright Serum, $49
- 8Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask, $45
- 9Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Camo Drops, $46
- 10Laneige Water Sleeping Mask, $25
- 11Crocs Classic Clogs in Pink Lemonade, $45
- 12Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, $20