There’s nothing like a sweet pair of kicks to add a little street cred to your wardrobe. Even American Apparel-clad sorostitutes look instantly more legit when rocking some fly dunks with their standard black leggings. Bold, chunky sneakers are the perfect accent to an otherwise ho-hum outfit; but make a tame enough statement that almost anyone can sport this season’s loud patterns and bright colors without looking like they stepped out of a Culture Club music video.
One can’t talk kicks without a mention of athletic apparel giant Nike, whose recent releases are sure to excite die-hard sneaker-heads and shoe culture-neophytes alike. The skateboarding division dropped the Cosby Sweater QS last month, a classic white sneaker peppered with bits of fabric resembling the famously satirized pullovers of the sitcom legend.
Speaking of vintage pop culture references, the web is abuzz with praise for Adidas’s Star Wars-inspired 2010 collection, which features a pair of kicks styled after each of the film series’ major characters. If images of convention nerds with plastic light sabers have you doubting the rave reviews, don’t be fooled. These shoes are totally awesome, emulating the futuristic look of George Lucas’s spacecrafts with textured metallics and angular panels.
Adidas designer Kazuki Kuraishi’s collaboration with Mintos has also yielded a cheeky collection modeled on the fashions from way back when Whitesnake was cool. The latest offering showcases electric-blue suede and red leather trim. Those who really want to draw some attention would do well to claim a pair of Equations on the Eastbay online store before its too late (they’ve just become available after months on backorder). These convertible shoes can be easily adjusted to high tops, to better display the dizzying black and white zigzag patter and fluorescent yellow stitching.
The lesser-known brands are also making their market presence felt with stylish updates. Japanese company A Bathing Ape (also known as BAPE) is offering a new vibrant floral number called the Skullsta, covered in tiny smiling stars. High top enthusiasts will swoon over Supra’s TK Society style, which now comes in crackled blue leather with a bright lime outsole. Greedy Genius, the brainchild of Chinese movie star Brandon Chang, has just debuted low tops in rippled patent leather.
There’s a lot to be psyched about on the footwear front this month. But trends come and go, and new designers are always innovating, finding creative new combinations of textiles or restructuring the classic architecture. Be sure to stay updated with online magazines like Nice Kicks and Kicks on Fire.
