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 2)

I can see this series becoming one of my favorites to write on this blog. Reflecting on some of my favorite pairs of sneakers while writing the first post of this series was very rewarding and humbling in that I was able to really appreciate and think about why I love every pair in my collection, and it is also fun being able to share some of my sneaker knowledge to anyone who reads these posts. Today’s pairs are slightly unconventional, which is the one thing that they have in common. Otherwise, these are very different shoes, all with different connections and stories which allow them to have entered my collection. Let’s take a look.

Pair 1 (Upper Left): Maison Margiela GAT Replica in White / Splatter

Besides being just an interesting shoe to look at in general, the history and inspiration of this paint-splattered pair is what really drew me to adding these to my collection. The Chicago Art Institute features one of my favorite paintings from one of my favorite artists of all time, Jackson Pollock’s Greyed Rainbow. I saw this piece for the first time while on a family Christmastime trip to Chicago in Winter 2017. On that same trip, I was able to purchase the very last pair of Maison Margiela GAT Replicas which take inspiration from Pollock’s painting style and which also just happened to be in my size. It seemed like a sign from the universe that this pair was for me, and even though I still get the occasional “What did you spill on your shoes?”, the regular wear that I get and love that I have for this sneaker makes it entirely worth it. If you know, you know.

Pair 2 (Upper Right): Air Jordan 1 Retro “Royal”

If you’re new to the sneaker world but read my first post from this series, then the blue variant of these Jordan 1s should look very familiar. That’s right, these are a royal blue version of the black and red Jordan 1s I wrote about earlier. Nothing is different except for the color - there is the same tumbled leather swoosh, same proportions on the tongue and midsole, and no production differences from this 2018 pair to their 2017 “Bred” counterpart. This pair was purchased in New York City during Spring Break of my Senior year of high school. While the royal blue here is louder and more vibrant than a lot of my other sneakers, these still get regular wear. Even though Michael Jordan never wore these on the court, his admiration of this colorway made it one of the most exclusive and beloved Jordan 1s of all time. If you want more history on these, Complex wrote a great article about them which you can check out here.

Pair 3 (Bottom Left): Bottega Veneta Voortrekking Boot in Ardoise

I’d best describe my wardrobe and style as a blurring of the line between streetwear and menswear. This pair of Chelsea boots by Bottega Veneta does just that. This specific pair, in the ardoise (slate) colorway, was popularized and ingratiated into the world of streetwear by Kanye West some years ago. The integrating of classier footwear into traditional streetwear is something I am a big fan of, so rocking these with an overcoat or distressed jeans works either way. The distinct and recognizable middle stitch and comfortable crepe sole are what really sell me on these.

Pair 4 (Bottom Right): Adidas X Kith Ultra Boost Mid “Aspen”

Streetwear brand Kith founder Ronnie Fieg has proven time and again that he knows very well how to do a collaboration. His take on the Adidas Ultra Boost as a part of the Aspen collection seen here reinvented and toyed with the silhouette as a whole, making this the first pair of mid-top Adidas Ultra Boosts on the market. Intricate knitting throughout the primeknit upper, a harshly contrasting white midsole, and a tight ankle give these Ultra Boosts a very unique look that, like lots of my favorite shoes, can either be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. One of my favorite pairs in the summertime, these Ultra Boosts are also one of the most comfortable pairs in my entire collection.

Again, this series is one that I am really excited to eventually complete. Reminiscing on trips and memories has made me even more appreciative of the footwear collection that I have built, but it has also made me start to pine for another vacation. That being said, stay tuned for a review post of a pair I just ordered today. Shall be fun.

Best Foot Forward: A Sneaker Series (Part 1)

Today I am excited to start what I hope will be a successful series of posts on this blog which will highlight one of my biggest hobbies and passions, which is sneakers and footwear. In these posts, I will select 4 sneakers, boots, or shoes from my collection that are not entirely similar to one another and share something about each pair whether it be why they are special to me, the history of the shoe, or a funny story that occurred while I was wearing that pair. I’m fortunate in that I have been able to cultivate a diverse and sizable collection of shoes to post about, so this series should last a good while. Once I write about every shoe in my collection, I will then have to wait until more pairs join the shoe-family to continue posting. Let’s start, shall we?

Pair 1 (Upper Left): Air Jordan 1 Retro “Bred”

I’ll start by saying that the Air Jordan 1 is my favorite sneaker silhouette of all time. As this series continues that will become evident as I highlight different colors of the “same shoe”, all which are extremely different to me. The “Bred” (black + red) colorway of the Air Jordan 1 may just be my favorite shoe of all time overall, as well. Iconic for its infamous banning in the 1985 NBA season when Michael Jordan debuted a sneaker which had colors contrary to his Chicago Bulls dress code, the Jordan 1 in black and red has become one of the most culturally significant and easily recognizable shoes with its distinct university red swoosh. One of the more versatile sneakers in my collection, the Bred 1 is a go-to for any season and will forever be a sneaker that I cherish dearly, and will hopefully double-up on sooner rather than later.

Pair 2 (Upper Right): Nike X Off-White Presto - The Ten

While it may look like an ordinary or even somewhat strange sneaker to the average person, this sneaker is one of the most highly-coveted in my entire collection. The Nike X Off-White Presto released in 2017 as a part of Nike’s collaboration with Off-White label founder and Rockford, Illinois native Virgil Abloh. Virgil's series, The Ten, redesigned and reconstructed classic Nike silhouettes such as the Air Jordan 1, Nike Blazer, and pictured here, Nike Presto. The deconstructed and very literal aspects of this sneaker make it unique, such as the detached tongue, quotation marks on the shoelaces and back velcro tab, and the zip tie (more info here) which I refuse to wear on feet as I think it looks a bit over-the-top. I enjoy the street appeal of this pair, but mainly enjoy them because of their comfort and am a big fan of the color blocking and interchangeable neon laces on these shoes.

Pair 3 (Bottom Left): Adidas Yeezy 350 Boost V2 “Sesame”

While there is a lot to be said about artist and pop-culture icon Kanye West, it is undeniable that he had made an everlasting impact on music, of course, but more recently sneakers and fashion as well. West’s promise to make Yeezy’s available for everyone seems to finally be coming true as adidas has upped production numbers on recent releases, especially for certain colorways. I was lucky to have scooped a pair of the “Sesame” 350s the morning that they released on YeezySupply.com, and since then I have worn they fairly regularly. I have owned a fair share of Yeezys throughout my sneaker collecting time which have come and gone, but the “Sesame” 350 is the one pair that I have left. The comfortability of Mr. West’s collaboration is incredible, and the neutral tones and gum sole featured on this specific pair make it the perfect casual summer sneaker, or a nice fall switch-up when paired with a button-down shirt and overcoat for a sophisticated urban look.

Pair 4: (Bottom Right) Saint Laurent Paris Wyatt Harness Boot in Black Leather

These rival my “Bred” Air Jordan 1s for favorite shoe in my collection. Perhaps these are my favorite non-sneaker footwear of them all. The iconic statement piece featured here is one that I am extremely lucky to have as a part of my collection. The quality of Saint Laurent footwear is incredible (I have another pair which will be featured in a future post) and the craftsmanship is remarkable, as well. This boot makes me feel like an absolute rockstar when on foot, and its heel gives me just enough height to be able to say that I am actually six feet tall without having to round up. Pairing this boot with an all black outfit or oversized sweatshirt in the winter makes me feel like I can conquer any task in front of me, and they are certainly a conversation starter, as well. Forever love my Wyatts.

I’m excited to continue this sneaker (and boots, etc.) series over the coming weeks and months. I find great value in cherishing dearly the possessions you have in your life, and reflecting upon why I love every single pair in my collection on this blog will allow me to do just that. Stay tuned.