If you follow my blog AT ALL, you know that sneakers are about as close to my heart as any material good can be. I’ve been a sneaker fiend since childhood and I firmly blame it all on my Mom (kidding…sort of, ha! Love you, Mom).
The world of athletic shoes has absolutely exploded over the last 10 years. What was once a market for a more urban crowd has developed into a field for the fashion-forward and classic observer alike. Just about every major designer in the world has released a sneaker by now but no one’s doing it better than Greats Brand out of Brooklyn, NY. They’ve turned the industry on it’s head, offering crazy comfortable shoes at extremely affordable prices. The pair I’m wearing today are The Wooster, designed by fashion icon Nick Wooster in partnership with the brand. The totally classic slip on silhouette is one that will never go out of style and can be dressed up, down, sideways, or any way. What makes these luxury are the materials. They’re handmade in Italy from the finest calfskin leather and trust me, you can feel it on foot. Even in the first wear, the leather hugs your foot so nicely. I can’t wait to break these in so they’ll fit like only Italian leather can. Priced at $149, you’re not going to find a better deal on a handmade leather sneaker.
Don’t get it twisted, this isn’t my stamp of approval on all lux sneakers. I’m still not a big fan of brands like Gucci, Balenciaga, or Buscemi’s attempts (and not just because I can’t afford them…jerk). Luxury sneakers shouldn’t cost more than a nice pair of dress shoes, in my opinion. Just because Karl designed them or streetwear fansites are drooling all over them, don’t feel like you need to spend $400+ on some shoes that will probably fall out of style within the next couple of years anyways.
As for the rest of the outfit, I picked up these sweet pleated shorts and long striped tank from Urban’s sale rack this week (which is currently an extra 30% off, by the way) and this jacket from Gap’s sale that’s basically giving product away amidst all the bad press they’ve received recently.
With a pair of simple summer sneakers like these, feel free to go wild or just throw on some slim jeans and a white tee shirt. Slip on shoes aren’t just for children, dudes. They break in better than almost anything and you never have to worry about tripping over untied laces (am I the only one who worries about that?).
Head over to www.greats.com to grab a pair of these or many other awesome and affordable styles!
Thanks for reading.
Stay smiling, my friends!
PYS
