Best Foot Forward: A Sneaker Series (Part 5)

We are rolling right along into the fifth installment of this series on my blog. So far I’ve covered some of my favorite personal pairs, including timeless staples in the sneaker culture and some unique pairs in my collection, but today’s post is all about the essentials. The four pairs of shoes selected for today’s post could easily keep you covered for any occasion, and if I had to pair my collection down to just a few pairs of shoes, it would look something a lot like this. Let’s take a look.

Pair 1 (Upper Left): Converse Chuck 70 Low in Black / White

Converse Chuck Taylors are undeniably a culturally iconic sneaker. By the 1980’s, nearly every American had at least one pair of Converse in their closet. Comfortable, stylish, and diverse enough for any outfit, Chuck Taylors are one of the easiest pairs to wear on a daily basis. Converse has released an updated and modern version of the Chuck Taylor, the Chuck 70 pictured here, which are even more comfortable and well-made than their predecessor. These are a must-have for any collection.

Pair 2 (Upper Right): Adidas Ultra Boost 1.0 in White

The Adidas Ultra Boost took the sneaker world by storm in 2015-’16 after Kanye West wore them on stage during multiple performances. One of the most comfortable shoes available on the market as a whole, the Ultra Boost has become one of the most abundant and respectable models that Adidas has to offer. I was lucky enough to buy the highly-coveted triple white pair at retail price when they first released, and while they are much dirtier than I would like them to be, I’m still very grateful to have this pair in my collection.

Pair 3 (Lower Left): Air Jordan 1 Retro “Chicago”

The very first part of this sneaker series covered the Air Jordan 1 in the “Bred” colorway, and I called this silhouette my favorite shoe of all time, which is still true. The “Chicago” colorway is just as culturally iconic as the “Bred” pair, worn by Michael Jordan during his rookie season in the NBA. Multiple lace color options, black, white, and red, give this sneaker an entirely different vibe. I tend to stick with black for the most part, just as MJ did, but you can’t go wrong with the white laces, either. This is many sneakerhead’s “grail” sneaker, and the resell market reflects that. Thankfully, this pair is rumored to be returning next year, so I may just have to double up if possible.

Pair 4 (Lower Right): Timberland 6-Inch Construction Boot in Brown

6-inch Timberland boots are another staple in streetwear culture. These boots have a deeply intimate relationship with New York City, and that popularity has trickled down to nearly every other fashion-forward city in the country. These are to be rocked with confidence and attitude on a cold winter day, and I’m all for it.

I’m not sure how many more posts will come out of this series, but there will be at least one more that I know of. I hope to continue to inform whoever reads these posts about the history behind something that I thoroughly enjoy. Thanks for reading.

Best Foot Forward: A Sneaker Series (Part 4)

I’m happy to be back with another part to my Best Foot Forward series which highlights selections from my sneaker and footwear collection. The four pairs on display this week are all very different from one another, and some are very unique or unlike anything else in my collection. I’ve been looking forward to continuing this series since posting part 3, so let’s get right into it.

Pair 1 (Upper Left): Common Projects Achilles Low in Blush

The minimal silhouette and excellent Italian leather used by Common Projects on their famed Achilles Low has made this pair one of the most popular essential luxury sneakers of the past few years. This colorway, specifically, adds a pop of distinct color and flare to my wardrobe that can be paired with any outfit nicely during any of the four seasons. The blush pink is soft and nearly pastel, but also loud and attention-grabbing when paired with the right fit. I’m happy to finally have the confidence to consistently wear pink shoes without thinking twice about it, and lucky enough to be living in a place (Atlanta, GA) which is full of individuals who appreciate eccentricity and self-expression.

Pair 2 (Upper Right): Adidas Ultra Boost 1.0 Retro in Cream

When the sneaker blogs that I follow first announced that Adidas was going to be re-releasing the coveted cream colorway of their popular Ultra Boost model in it’s original “1.0” build, I knew I had to pick up a pair. I was lucky enough to have purchased the all white colorway for their retail price when they first released, but unfortunately couldn’t get my hands on the cream colorway and didn’t want to justify paying the hefty resell price. Now that I have these in my collection, I’m eternally grateful that Adidas decided to rerelease this iteration of the Ultra Boost. Not only are they extremely comfortable, but the unique cream color goes very well with my wardrobe year-round. These may be one of my favorite Adidas Ultra Boosts of all time.

Pair 3 (Lower Left): Rick Owens DRKSHDW Ramones in Black

These are something else. Dubbed by some as “super converse”, and “clown shoes” by others, this pair is one of the most unique in my collection. The exaggeratedly large toe box, full-length side zipper, and general bulkiness of the Ramones are attributes inconsistent the rest of the sneakers in my collection. Pairing these with an all black outfit, especially with a bomber jacket and hoodie on a cold winter day, just makes taking to the city streets feel so satisfying. I’d describe these as one of the most badass pairs in my collection when rocked with confidence, similar in attitude to my Saint Laurent Paris Wyatt boots.

Pair 4 (Lower Right): Converse X Comme Des Comme Des Garçons PLAY

Japanese fashion house Comme Des Garçons is known for their highly unique and experimental runway looks. Their streetwear line, PLAY, is generally more traditional and made easily recognizable by the bright red heart logo. CDG’s collaboration with Converse has very quickly become one of the most essential pairs of sneakers for those living in urban areas. There are multiple styles to choose from in their collaboration, but the high-top beige Chuck 70 with the “hidden heart” pictured here is my favorite of the bunch. A pop of color from the heart logo adds to any outfit, and these are certainly conversation starters as well.

I hope that these posts are insightful and informative as well as entertaining for you! Part 5 will be coming soon - I’m already looking forward to it.