While dining in’s out and “tapao-ing” is in, there’s no reason to let your sneaker-style game slip. It’s legit to head out in a pair (get the double meaning?), so try these few here to keep you company when you’re grabbing lunch to go, on a grocery run or shopping solo to ease your social life withdrawal, at least for this couple of weeks (20 May to 3 June).
“The No-Hype Sneakers Selection” is our fortnightly curation of the not-so-hot but oh-so-cool shoes that you might have missed out on.
Divid Hi canvas trainers, $200 (USD $151), Primury X Xenia Telunts
Both unisex shoes label Primury and Muscovite designer Xenia Telunts’ gender-neutral eponymous brand do not have much presence on local shores – a shame since their tie-up’s an everyday-wear classic that’s got the whole minimalist street-style down pat. True to both these brands’ enterprising spirit of employing natural materials and sustainable practices, this high-top is crafted from ivory cotton canvas and affixed with black rubber for the sole, with the white leather toe cap adding a touch of low-key luxe.
Available from MatchesFashion.
Magma sneakers (in white), $99.90, Pedro
You might know Pedro as a brand offering smart casual, office-appropriate shoes, bags and accessories, but what you might know not know is that it also retails sportswear-sensible sneaks that are only found on their website. Such as this prime exhibit, here. It pulls together some of the more contemporary trends in the luxury sneakers world – the tone-on-tone white, the slimmed-down chunky silhouette, the athleisure aesthetic, the jersey and neoprene materials – to make this handsome pair. For those who believe that brands, do not a man make, but style does define one.
Available exclusively at www.pedroshoes.com/sg
Skel-Top colour-block leather high-top sneakers (in light blue), $921 (£490.41), Amiri
We’re not suggesting you celebrate Halloween five months early, but hey, since celeb-endorsed Amiri’s served out a high-top iteration of its Skel Toe slip-on bestsellers, no reason not to cop a pair, ya? Choose one in blue and white (it’s also available in black and white, and in tan and white) with the hand-cut bone appliqués in powder blue adding strong visual interest and texture to this luxury-baller sneaker.
Available at Mr Porter
Blazer Mid ’77, $159, Nike
We’re here always for an old-school design that’s also a lil’ art-school cool, too. Looking like someone’s dropped the ball in painting class with drips of colour splattered onto this white retro-style b-ball sneak, it also looks like it’s got some throwback DIY character, what with the stitched-in-black Nike words on the backs of the padded collars and the worn-out Nike Swoosh. Perfect for former student athletes-slash-artists and current stylish folk.
Available at Nike stores and brand stockists, multiple locations, nike.com/sg
BONUS: SAFRA members can enjoy up to 15% off regular-priced footwear & apparels at Nike. Visit NIKE | SAFRA for more information.
Casual tie-dye MTV trainers, $69.90, Pull&Bear
Whether or not you remember MTV at all (depending on the era you grew up in), this online-exclusive fabric high-tops are vibrant enough in cyan and purple to bring a spring to your step when you head out to comfort yourself with some SG-made ice cream (see here and here for where to go). The MTV retro logo-patch reminds one and all what it’s all about, with the contrasting white sole helping to bring out the tie-dye fabric’s colours. And, oh, if you aren’t sure what to match this with, why not look up our selection of tie-dye tees here?
Available exclusively online at www.pullandbear.com/sg
French Sneaker, $332, Reproduction Of Found
If you’re the kind who likes your brands a little left-field and obscure, yet well-constructed with some kind of strong design or brand concept, then this Japanese shoemaker could be your brand of choice. Started in 2016, Reproduction Of Found specialises in researching and recreating military trainers that were made in factories around the world from the 1950s to the 1990s, with each handmade pair coming with a stamp or tag that indicates the model name, manufacturing date and country of origin. This slim olive one’s a retro-style 1990’s French trainer, crafted with Italian suede and nylon panels and an EVA midsole. Makes one wonder if we will ever see a remade Singaporean military sneaker from way back when…
Available at Urban Outfitters
All products are subject to availability and prices are subject to change. Prices stated are correct as of time of posting and are based on current exchange rates.
