Best Foot Forward: A Sneaker Series (Part 6)

The sixth installment of my Best Foot Forward series features everything black, white, and grey. That’s right, we’re in for a monochromatic look at some of the most versatile sneakers in my collection. Ranging in price, accessibility, and style, these sneakers are all very distinct from one another, but match with most outfits and situations handsomely. Let’s take a look.

Pair 1 (Upper Left): Nike X John Elliott Vandal in Anthracite

If you’ve been playing really close attention, the name John Elliott should ring a bell. One of my favorite designers John Elliott has collaborated with Nike on multiple occasions, and it always able to reinvent or reimagine iconic Nike silhouettes by giving them tasteful modern twists. We already covered my JE Air Force 1’s here on the blog, but today is a look at Elliott’s take on the classic Nike Vandal. A premium suede upper gives this sneaker a luxurious appearance countered only by the bold white midsole and gradient strap at the top of the tongue. While these weren’t the easiest sneakers to break in, they are fairly comfortable now that I’ve paired them with enough outfits. Any time John Elliott’s name is attached to something, it’s a possible purchase for me.

Pair 2 (Upper Right): Vans Old Skool in Black

I’m a firm believer that everyone could and should have a pair of these sneakers in their collection. Fashionable, timeless, and comfortable, the Old Skool has its roots in skating culture but has transcended into a streetwear staple for years to come. You can’t tell easily from this picture, but the midsole of my pair is showing clear signs of wear that, if it were any other pair, I would wipe away with a Crep Protect wipe, but I instead let build up to add character to this classic silhouette.

Pair 3 (Lower Left): Common Projects Achilles Low in White

After purchasing the CP Achilles Low in white is when I realized that I was truly entering a new phase of the kind of sneakers I’d be adding to my collection. Aside from some minimal golden branding on the outside of the shoe that is innocuous to the average person, the CP Achilles looks the same as any other white leather sneaker. So why is it worth its somewhat lofty price tag? The CP Achilles is a staple for me not because of hype or clout, but because of timelessness and craftsmanship. The leather on this pair is as nice as any of the other leather sneakers I’ve ever worn. Comfortable, modern, and minimal, the CP Achilles low can be dressed up or down to give entirely different vibes. I love this pair.

Pair 4 (Lower Right): Air Jordan 1 Retro “Shadow”

This is the fourth and final pair of Air Jordan 1’s that I have to show you as a part of this sneaker series. Contrary to what some think, the Shadow 1 is actually an original Jordan 1 colorway released in 1985. This cool grey pair is less of a statement piece than either the red or blue variants of the shoe that I wear so often, which compliments the other pairs nicely. I wear my Shadow 1’s on rainy winter days and am not surprised to see the resell price increase day by day as this pair becomes more and more popular.

Thank you for reading another installment of my sneaker series! I look forward to posting another soon, which will likely feature more color than this post did. We will see.