Updated 18 July 2019
Note: The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of RetoxMagazine.com
It's often been said that you can tell a lot about a man by his shoes, and with the meteoric rise of the trainer over the last 20 years the saying still holds true.
Long-gone are the days of the humble black plimsoll or the standard white tennis shoe; whether for fashion or sport, the modern man wants his footwear to reflect his personal look and is interested in fashion as well as function.
With this in mind, many high street shops offer up a veritable feast of foot fashion wear and the choice is sometimes overwhelming; however, retailers such as JD sports can help to point you in the right direction when it comes to selecting the right trainer for your look and lifestyle.
Offering fashion and functionality, the urban man often opts for what is widely known as the 'Old Skool' look; retro styles like the classic Converse shoe or boot or the eponymous Adidas 'Shell Toe' trainer, part of the Adidas Originals collection, create the appearance of effortless cool. Like a classic car or Saville Row suit, these 'Old Skool' staples never go out of style.
This basketball classic has bounced back into the forefront of trainer fashion with slick lines, eye-popping designs and a rainbow of colours to accentuate your look. Whether for sport or to compliment an urban street look, these iconic trainers are all about making a statement. The Air Jordan SC-2 flight basketball trainer from Nike is the perfect example; fusing leather styling, heel air-unit and impact protection and cushioning, these bad boys are ready for action on and off the court.
With many of us fired up to hit the gym again after the awesome 2012 Olympics, running shoes are flying off the shelves like never before and never has there been such a staggering choice of styles. Before choosing a pair it's important to find the right shoe for your style and fitness needs; the wrong shoe can cause a host of negative health implications, so do your research online or ask at a reputable sports retailer. The Nike Free Run+ 3 is a good choice for those looking for a light running shoe which allows natural movement; with its lightweight phylite upper that fuses the midsole and outsole, a snug fit lining and vibrant colour choice, you’ll look good on and off the track.
When it comes to sports fashion, especially football boots, fashion has come a long way. Gone are the days when a standard black boot with spikes was a team’s only choice; now there are a variety of styles and designs to choose from, all promising to improve performance and optimise player comfort. Styles, such as the Nike Mercurial Vapor VIII, is one of the best boots around. Weighing just 187g, it takes the phrase 'light on your feet' to a whole new level. Sleek and dynamic, these boots, featuring Nike's 'All Conditions Control', keep feet water-free in any condition. Also available in a range of vibrant colours, there’s no need to let your fashion sense behind in the changing rooms.
A sneaker collaboration between Kiko Kostadinov and ASICS serving up another trio of GEL-Delva sneakers. The vibrant colour themes include "Cool Mist/Forest Green," "Murasaki/Performance Black," and "Tai-Chi Yellow/Taupe Grey."
Travis Scott took on the iconic Air Jordan 1 and gave it a new, original look in brown, white and black tones. Scott-edition Jordans feature the addition of a velcro stash pocket, plus the shoe’s most eye-catching detail – an inverted Swoosh. Cactus Jack branding is debossed on the heel of the shoe.
Overkill and Adidas incorporated colourful details from various ZX models – specifically models from the four-digit ZX family, the 1000, 4000, 9000 and more – creating wonderful colours, and the special pack is sold with three shoes in it – one for each foot and an extra shoe. All three shoes will be in different colours.