Best Foot Forward: A Sneaker Series (Part 15)

August is finally here, which means cool breezes, fall outfits, and the end of blisteringly hot summer days are almost upon us. In 2022, I decided to focus on refining and maximizing my sneaker collection’s potential by placing an emphasis on quality over quantity when considering my next purchases. To do so, I’ve carefully considered how each pair corresponds to the rest of my collection and wardrobe, while also taking into considering Atlanta’s often unforgiving climate. Luckily, the hottest days of the year are now behind us, and each pair of sneakers highlighted in this post will be able to complement sweaters, coats, and jeans to create the best fits possible very soon. This has been a very fortunate year for my sneaker collection, and as always, I’m grateful to be able to share some of the highlights on “Best Foot Forward.”

Pair 1 (Upper Left): Rick Owens Ramones in Natural

After I initially purchased a black pair of this iconic Rick Owens silhouette, I assumed that I wouldn’t eventually add another pair of this model to the rotation. Objectively a bulky, unconventional pair of sneakers, the Ramone silhouette has always appealed to me because of how well it pairs with the oversized streetwear aesthetic. This pair’s cream colorway, pentagram accent logo, and slightly more structured materials than on my other pair made these a necessary pickup when I found them on sale on EndClothing.com.

Pair 2 (Lower Left): Birkenstock Boston in Taupe Suede

I’m always looking to add variety and practicality to my rotation, which is exactly why I recently purchased a pair of Birkenstock’s iconic Bostons. Extremely easy to slip on, this pair can be either dressed up or down and worn year round. They’ll primarily be used for everyday activities like walking the dog or taking out the trash for me, but I also have some fall outfits planned that center around this simple yet effective style.

Pair 3 (Upper Right) Maison Margiela GAT in Black Splatter

The Maison Margiela GAT has quickly become one of my favorite designer sneakers. Its simple design can easily be made eccentric via its artistic and eye-catching colorways, often channeling Jackson Pollock’s abstract paint-splatter techniques, which are some of the greatest pieces of all-time. This black pair serves as a canvas for vibrant red, blue, and yellow paint spatterings that pair perfectly with its brown gum sole. While not for everyone, I love this pair and often let this be the statement piece that defines whatever fit it’s in.

Pair 4 (Lower Right): Adidas Yeezy Boost 700 “Wave Runner”

Instantly recognizable, the Yeezy Boost 700 is one of the controversial artist’s most iconic pairs of sneakers released to date. Utilizing a unique color palette of neon orange and yellow with many shades of blue and gray, this pair really shouldn’t work on paper. But in practice, the “Wave Runner” 700 is an alluring and eclectic pair of sneakers, made only more appealing by their incredibly comfortable structure. Politics and controversies aside, Kanye West’s style and music will always have a special place in my heart, and these shoes are no exception.

I feel incredibly privileged to be able to explore an interest of mine while curating and building a collection of sneakers that allows me to express myself and connect with a community of people with the same passion for shoes that I have. Even though every pair can’t be worn as often as I’d like, owning pieces of history that help encompass the entire sneaker culture is such a fantastic feeling. With the hottest days of the year behind us, I’m looking forward to doing these pairs justice with proper outfits as soon as possible.

Best Foot Forward: A Sneaker Series (Part 14)

Fall is finally upon us, which means that the Earth tones, boots, and Fall aesthetics from my wardrobe are finally in full swing again. This year has been packed full of exciting sneaker releases, collaborations, and high-end designer sales, some of which I’ve been lucky enough to get my hands on. Fortunately, I am once again able to write another installment of my favorite series here on this blog with part 14 of Best Foot Forward: A Sneaker Series.

Pair 1 (Upper Left): Saint Laurent Paris Wyatt in Brown Suede

The Saint Laurent Paris Wyatt has cemented itself as one of the most recognizable and iconic silhouettes in all of high-end menswear. Its signature heel and cowboy-like strap take this pair’s playfulness to the next level in the brown suede colorway, as opposed to my black leather pair’s elegance and presence. SLP’s craftsmanship is top-notch, and after many wears, the Wyatt’s sole is still holding up strongly. I was lucky to grab a pair from SSENSE on an over 50% off sale, which is essential given this boot’s retail price. Even though I will be wearing these year-round, and their deep brown color and buttery suede were built for the Autumn season.

Pair 2 (Lower Left): Air Jordan 1 High Retro ‘85 “Neutral Gray”

The Air Jordan 1 High is easily my favorite sneaker of all time. The “Neutral Gray” colorway, after its initial release in 1985, was brought back for the first time in 36 years this year and came fully adorned with the original detailings that made the first pair so special. A slightly higher-than-usual heel cut, a soft suede swoosh, and an ever-so-slightly blue tint to the sneaker’s tongue are impressive details that complement this shoe’s simple and clean design.

Pair 3 (Upper Right): Air Jordan 3 Retro X A Ma Maniére “Raised By Women”

Of all the sneakers I’ve added to my collection in recent years, the Air Jordan 3 Retro X A Ma Maniére “Raised By Women” is one of my favorites. Jordan Brand’s collaboration with Atlanta streetwear staple A Ma Maniére brings out the best from the Air Jordan 3. Thick suede elegantly replaces the iconic elephant print found on most threes, while aged and vintage-looking color tones add to this sneaker’s vibe. An homage to the women that raised him, this shoe is a powerful statement from its designer. This is easily the sneaker of the year.

Pair 4 (Lower Right): New Balance 550 X Aimé Leon Dore “Evergreen”

Speaking of collaborations, New Balance recently teamed back up with New York streetwear brand Aimé Leon Dore for the re-release of the 550. This vintage basketball silhouette checks all of the boxes for what makes sneakers popular in 2021: It is slightly chunky, features various materials, and features neutral colors that go with everything. I picked up the green pair, but wouldn’t be against also adding the gray ones eventually, as well. The cream lace swap just puts these over the top.

Although I’ve been writing a lot about music on this page recently, sneakers are still my favorite hobby and interest. I’m lucky to rock many of my dream shoes and pick up a lot of the best releases in any given month, and this year has been especially rewarding in that sense. What’s your favorite pair featured here?

Best Foot Forward: A Sneaker Series (Part 12)

In an effort to emphasize the concept of quality over quantity, I’ve started refining the kind of footwear on my wishlist. Instead of purchasing more pairs of lower quality sneakers which I’m not entirely interested in, I’m making sure I won’t regret the purchases I’m making. Recently, I was able to add the highly-coveted and exclusive Air Jordan 1 collaboration with Los Angeles-based streetwear company Union in the “Black Toe” colorway to my collection, which I will be featuring in this post. Let’s jump into it.

If you’ve read the previous installments from this series, you know that the Air Jordan 1 High Retro is my favorite sneaker silhouette of all time. Whether it’s the original colorways which released when Michael Jordan was active in the 1985 season or new collaborative offerings, I’m a sucker for this shoe. In recent years, Jordan Brand has teamed up with the likes of Off-White, Travis Scott, Union, and Dior to create some of the most hyped sneakers in a long time. While incorporating the essential characteristics of this instantly-recognizable silhouette, this Union collaboration also utilizes minor design changes which just makes this pair pop.

This sneaker combines classic colorways elegantly, pairing the original “Natural Grey” upper and tongue with the “Black Toe” heel and toebox. A stitched and exposed tongue gives this pair a rugged and vintage vibe, which is accentuated by a soft yellow midsole, similar to that of the Travis Scott Air Jordan 1. Blue and yellow accents throughout this pair makes them even more noticeable and unique. I would sub in the alternate yellow laces if it weren’t for the amazing default pair which splits halfway down the middle, pairing black and cream together beautifully. This is how collaborations should be done: unique and experimental while maintaining what made the silhouette a classic in the first place.

Taking a different approach to buying sneakers has been very fulfilling and satisfying so far. Prioritizing quality over quantity is a practice which I’m trying to apply to every aspect of my life, not just the sneakers on my feet. But either way, most sneakerheads respect the Air Jordan 1 High X Union for the amazing collaboration that they are. Me included. What do you think of these? Let me know. Thanks for reading.

Best Foot Forward: A Sneaker Series (Part 12)

As I stated in Part 11 of this series, I’ve been lucky enough to pick up some great sneakers this Spring. Variety is the spice of life, and because of that, I try to vary the sorts of footwear I add to my collection. The two pairs featured in today’s post are prime examples of quality craftsmanship and versatility in a color I had been meaning to add more of to my rotation: cool gray. Time to take a look.

Pair 1 (Left): New Balance 990 V5 “Castlerock”

From fashion week and designer lookbooks to couches and cookouts, New Balance has become a staple for any event, casual or formal. The 990 V5 silhouette is one of the most comfortable shoes in my entire collection, as its ultrasoft Ortholite insole provides maximum support without feeling too cushiony for long days on-foot. This “Castlerock” colorway can be dressed up or down, as its neutral gray blends in with any vibe. While some see these as dad shoes, I see this pair as an instant classic, and one I’ll be wearing very frequently for years to come, especially in the summertime.

Pair 2 (Right): Maison Margiela GAT Replica in Graphite

I’ve previously showcased my other pair of Margiela GATs on this blog, which I was fortunate enough to purchase in Chicago, Illinois a couple of years ago. That splattered pair is one I wear year round, and since then, I had been meaning to add another pair of Margielas to my collection. The pair that I recently picked up is made of quality leather and suede as opposed to my other pair’s canvas, which is a nice switch and demonstration of Margiela’s commitment to quality, luxury materials. This pair goes with just about anything and helps round out my rotation with another nice, all-gray pair of sneakers.

While I don’t plan to purchase any shoes in the immediate future, I’m sure more additions can’t be too far down the road for another installment of this series. I’m focused on quality over quantity at the moment, so the next pairs I purchase will certainly be worth sharing. Can’t wait until then. Thanks for reading!

While you’re here, check out this link to help the Black Lives Matter movement.

Best Foot Forward: A Sneaker Series (Part 11)

After what has been an unseasonably cool springtime in Georgia, the temperature is beginning to increase every day, and not every shoe in my collection is viable without risk of heat stroke anymore. I’ve sold some of my shoes recently and purchased more summer-friendly pairs which I’ve coveted for a long time. Part of these purchases were also rewarding myself for earning all As at school during the Spring 2020 semester, a feat I’m proud of given the circumstances and challenges presented by the pandemic. Let’s break down two of my collection’s most recent additions.

Pair 1 (Left): Air Jordan 5 Retro “Fire Red”

Nike’s SNKRS app which utilizes a raffle system to randomly give users the chance to purchase a pair of shoes hasn’t historically been kind to me. I can count the amount of pairs I’ve secured through this app on one hand, while the Ls I’ve collected using it are endless. Recently, however, I was lucky enough to pick up a pair of the classic “Fire Red" Air Jordan 5, one of my favorite colorways of this particular silhouette of all time. Black, white, and red are some of my favorite colors, and the details on this pair such as the reflective tongue and translucent icy outsole made this a must-cop in my opinion. Can’t wait to give these the wear and tear they deserve.

Pair 2 (Right): Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 “Zebra”

One of the most highly-coveted Adidas Yeezy colorways of all time, the “Zebra” has been an elusive pair which I’ve been meaning to add to my collection since they originally released in 2017. The design here is both loud and lowkey, the perfect option to pair with distressed jeans or sweat shorts during hot summer days. While I don’t agree with Kanye’s current political views, I stand for the systemic change he promoted in his early days of rapping and producing. I guess you could say I miss the old Kanye.

And there we have it. Two of the newest pairs in my collection. I’m very grateful for the sneakers that I have, and for the amazing athlete and musician who made them as amazing as they did. Luckily, I’ll have another “Best Foot Forward” post coming soon, as these two pairs aren’t the only ones I’ve snagged recently. Stay tuned, and thanks for reading.