Sunday, May 24, 2009

Don't put your foot in your mouth, but let your kicks do the talking

I am often asked if it is possible for a man to pull-off sneakers (we're talking collectibles, like retro Jordans or limited edition Nike Dunks, for example) and look stylish - and not childish. The answer is yes, although it can be tricky.

While I rarely wear sneaks myself anymore, I used to have an extensive collection - from limited edition Air Force Ones to every Jordan from I to XX. So needless to say, I still have a certain fondness and nostalgia for a nice pair of kicks, especially if they are rare (after all, I'm all about being unique and original). Luckily, two of my long-time friends have perfected the art of grown-man-kickery.

The best way to do it, in my opinion, is to let the kicks do all the talking. That is, if your kicks are loud, don't put them in a shouting match with the rest of your outfit. Tame your outfit down, keep it simple, neutral, and (of course) well fitted. A simple, neutral-colored button-up or polo with khakis or plain jeans will have you looking like a grown man while also leaving a blank canvas for your kicks to jump off of.

Most men try to experiment with a dash of loud color in their outfits at some point or another (usually ties or pocket squares), this is just another (more casual) way to do it. Some minimal matching can slide, but the last thing you want to do is wear a bright pair of sneakers with a matching outfit (t shirt, hat, etc)...nobody will take you seriously, especially women.

Notice the picture below...if you look at it and put your hand over their feet to cover their shoes, they look like normal (although good looking and Italian) average Joes, just like everyone else. Go ahead, try it! Once you removed your hand, however, and look at their entire outfit, you start to get the sense that these two cats are unique, creative, original, cool, etc... They let their kicks do the talking...because their kicks have alot to say.

Stay original. Yours in style, Style Blogger.

8 comments:

Al said...

Toro Bravos and Hunters! Man I could really resonate with this. I have a collection of my own yet, I work in a office so a good deal of my wardrobe has become business casual. But, these guy know how to pull it off! Especially, the one with the Jordans. Nice post!

AthensStyle said...

I completly agree with what you say, but the fotos weakens the claim....absolutely no...this sneakers are way to big, way to childish, way to frat guys.
Of course to these guys who are not older than 22-23yo perhaps you can call it "Stylish"...but in my 30's this would be extreme.

Marty McFly said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Marty McFly said...

f the haters!!!!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Al said...

"AthensStyle" well of course in your 30's I could see how you might still view this as childish. I'm 19 and I live in New York City so both of these guys are stylish by my standards.

"Style Blogger", I don't know if you read this but I must know where the guy with the chinos and oxford got his clothing… Please! I haven’t seen button fly chinos around and I like the look of the shirt.

Lamborghini Stevie said...

i got the oxford from gap and the chinos from H&M in toronto

"athensstyle" -- what does age have to do with shoes? look at one of the most fashionable men in the world kanye west. he wears sneakers all the time and he's in his 30's......

AthensStyle said...

@Lamborghini Stevie, I guess you're right shoes and clothes has nothing to do with age, its the personality of the person that can enhance the clothes. If your life style and your personality can support this outfit then absolutely yes. But for the majority of people this could be VERY tricky.
On the other hand people like K.West, B Pitt and the like, although that I think have a personal test in clothes, have also an army of people paid to do excactly that...creat their image.

Anonymous said...

Palace Cinema...classic