Best Foot Forward: A Sneaker Series (Part 13)

I am extremely pleased to bring back one of my favorite series on this blog today with the thirteenth installation of my sneaker series Best Foot Forward. I’ve been fortunate enough in the past few months to add sneakers to my collection that I’ve lusted over for years. Ranging from luxury designer options to iconic athletic silhouettes, the four pairs featured today fit nicely into my collection and will fit into my summer rotation very nicely.

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

The Jodhpur silhouette has been imitated countless times by fast fashion brands looking to recapture the essence of the boot that Hedi Slimane made so famous during his time at Saint Laurent Paris. Its sizable heel, soft-to-the-touch suede, and elegant shape are only possible with the quality and craftsmanship that SLP has to offer. I chose the brown suede colorway because it fits well into my wardrobe, which is mainly made up of understated and neutral pieces. Can’t get enough of this pair.

Pair 2 (Lower Left): Maison Margiela GAT Replica in White + Gum

The Maison Margiela German Army Trainer Replica has quickly become one of my favorite go-to sneaker models for both casual and more formal occasions. Whether I’m tossing these on to go grocery shopping or to go to the office, the GAT Replica is an extremely comfortable and visually appealing sneaker. The White + Gum colorway is one of the most iconic and recognizable on this pair, so I had to scoop them once I found a sale online. I’ll be wearing these all summer long.

Pair 3 (Upper Right): Nike Air Max 90 “Infrared”

I regretted selling my Infrared Air Max 90s for years after buying and then selling them in high school. When they released last year, I was lucky enough to win a pair through the SNKRS app, which as all sneakerheads know, is a rare occurrence. My favorite Air Max of all time, the AM90 pops with its Infrared accents. I usually turn to these for more casual looks, whether pairing them with sweatshorts or ripped jeans on the weekends. Can’t go wrong here.

Pair 4 (Lower Left): Air Jordan 6 Retro X Travis Scott “British Khaki”

One of my favorite rappers collaborated on one of my favorite Jordan models in a colorway right up my alley. How could I say no? Cactus Jack, more widely known as Travis Scott, brings his eclectic and outlandish style to this pair with furry suede, bright infrared accents, hidden pouches, and a playful glow-in-the-dark sole that channels the pairs I grew up wearing as a kid. These definitely fit into my wardrobe and aesthetic and definitely turn heads along the way.

I’m lucky to be able to continue growing my sneaker collection pair by pair. A focus on quality over quantity means I don’t add pairs quite as often, but make sure that the ones that I do are up to my standards. Which of these four is your favorite? Thanks for reading.

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.

Best Foot Forward: A Sneaker Series (Part 3)

I’ve decided to kick off the weekend with another submission from my sneaker series. This past week was the first lull here on the blog from me for a variety of reasons, and luckily one that didn’t last longer than a week, but I’m going to try to be better with consistency and frequency posting here. With that being said, let’s take a look at the sneakers being highlighted and discussed this week, which also happen to be four from my collection that have taken the spotlight recently and that get lots and lots of wear.

Pair 1 (Upper Left): Common Projects Chelsea boots in Brown Suede

I’ve been asked the question before “If you could only keep 3 pairs of shoes from your entire collection, which would they be and why?” and this pair of boots is always one of the first to come to mind. A perfect blend of elegant and street-worthy, the sleek silhouette of the Common Projects Chelsea boot is my favorite offering on the market right now. There are many alternatives, both more and less expensive, but Common Projects’ quality and craftsmanship make them worth the price tag in my opinion. I’m 20 years old turning 21 relatively soon and have worn this pair consistently since I was 18, and there are very few signs of wear and tear besides the darkening of the incredibly comfortable crepe sole which is to be expected. I’m as ecstatic to have this pair in my collection now as I was the first day that I unboxed these, and still in awe of the fact that I own the same pair I held in Barneys New York’s Chicago location thinking “one day… one day…” as a 16 year old.

Pair 2 (Upper Right): Nike X John Elliott Air Force 1 Low in White

The recent reemergence of this classic Nike silhouette’s rising popularity, the fact that I live in Atlanta, Georgia, me wanting to have a matching pair with my stylish and amazing girlfriend, and the collaboration with one of my favorite streetwear labels John Elliott made this pair a must-cop for me. It’s no secret that white Air Force 1’s are now the go-to sneaker for many millennials. Their versatility, comfort level, and history make for an easily-recognized and iconic pair to add to any collection. The Air Force 1’s relevance to me is even higher thanks to Atlanta’s hip-hop history, making it a staple in Georgian streetwear. I knew that my girlfriend had wanted an all-white pair of AF1’s for a while, so nearing our 1 year anniversary I got us both a pair in so that we could match. John Elliott’s reimagining and manipulation of the classic sneaker also made this absolutely necessary. The embossed leather swoosh, double tongue, and silver aglet are perfect additions to a nearly perfect sneaker.

Pair 3 (Lower Left): Air Jordan 4 Retro “Bred”

Michael Jordan is my favorite, and in my opinion the greatest, basketball player of all time. Not only did MJ bring 6 titles to my Chicago Bulls franchise, he did so in style and iconic fashion. One of Jordan’s first truly iconic moments, dubbed “The Shot”, eliminated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the 1989 Eastern Conference playoffs, and was made while wearing the “Bred” Air Jordan 4, cementing a spot in sneaker history and making this pair an instant classic. It also didn’t hurt that the 2019 retro (30 years after the original release) was done perfectly: great materials used, solid construction, and very comfortable to wear.

Pair 4 (Lower Right): Saint Laurent SL/06 Distressed in White

These are easily the most unique pair of luxury sneakers that I own. Out of the box, these shoes look worn. That is the point. Contrasting the cleanliness and elegance of my Saint Laurent Wyatts featured in Part 1 of this series here, this low-top sneaker is rugged and an entire aesthetic of its own. Understated luxury, even with a loud and embroidered branding on the side that looks hand written, shines on this pair. These sneaker accompany my style very well, and the eggshell white color accompanies almost every outfit paired with these.

I hope that this series continues to inform and entertain you about sneakers, fashion, and myself in general. It will certainly continue soon, as long as more NBA speculation and analysis, self-reflective posts, advice posts, and many more. Stay tuned.

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.