During the last decade the lines between streetwear and high fashion have been blurred more than ever, with the emergence of luxury streetwear having almost saturated a once modest market
From Kim Jones’ Louis Vuitton x Supreme collab, to Virgil Abloh’s ‘The Ten’, luxury streetwear has become the new High Fashion, with resale markets such as StockX providing a platform for resellers to sell their rare sneakers at ridiculous prices. Due to the rise in popularity for exclusive and ‘hyped’ sneakers, brands find themselves producing more sneakers at limited quantities, and more frequent brand collaborations, with Nike and Adidas at the forefront because of their commercial appeal. Whether it’s re-workings of classic silhouettes or bold new trends, they all say the same thing on your feet: luxury. We take a look at eight sneakers that capture
the art of hype.
ADIDAS YEEZY BOOST 700 WAVE RUNNER
After the trendy success of the Balenciaga Triple S ‘chunky sneaker’, Adidas and Kanye West hopped on the wave, and the Wave Runner was born. With a chunky midsole, suede and mesh upper, and reflective stripes the Yeezy Boost 700 combines trendy with a classic ‘dad shoe‘ aesthetic.
How to Style:
Pull off major normcore vibes with a cropped or cuffed pants (trousers or sweats), and an oversized T-shirt and/or hoody.
ACNE STUDIOS ADRIAN LEATHER LOW
This is a classic menswear trainer from Acne Studios. Designed from white grained leather and featuring a lace-up front and low-top silhouette, it’s a staple of Swedish minimalist fashion.
How to Style:
Keep it minimal but classy with a skinny-fit suit and plain T-shirt.
CONVERSE ALL STAR X JW ANDERSON
Representing a daring interpretation of the contrasts between the iconic Converse All Star silhouette and JW Anderson’s provoking design aesthetic, the two brands have created a unique blend between style and culture.
How to Style:
Go with a straight-legged corduroy pants, printed resort shirt and a bucket hat for a skate-inspired outfit.
NIKE REACT ELEMENT 87
Drawing comparisons to Virgil Abloh’s design style, the Nike React Element 87 sports a deconstructed, lightweight look with a foam technology sole and a translucent upper, all popular trends right now in fashion and sneakers.
How to Style:
Pair an athleisure tracksuit with a golf shirt and statement socks (to show off the colour through the sneaker’s translucent upper).
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