Ok, I’ve made my mind up: this spring I’m changing my trainers! My favourite Stan Smiths don’t look so hot anymore: the leather is scratched everywhere and the toe is about to give up the ghost. -More cheap
manufacturing. Ok, ok, I’ve had them for about 2 and a half years, and I’ve not exactly treated them kindly either…
Despite this minor setback, I still like the brand with the 3 stripes. So I started my research there. As I suggest in my article on cheap clothes on our French sister site, I went to YOOX to see end-of-line stuff and new styles.
In the the former category I found these high-top “Pro-model” in black with snakeskin print. Unfortunately, I can completely forget about them; there aren’t any in my size! But there might be
some styles that you like in your size…
Operation “spring trainers”: part 1. To be continued.
€59 from YOOX
The British brand Swear is offering many new shoe styles in its 2008 spring/summer collection, including the “I SWEAR BY HUMMEL” line, in collaboration with the Danish sportswear brand Hummel.
I think this new line is a real success! Like many other brands, Swear offer a patent style. And because this season there’s a love for all things shiny, this won’t be the last you hear of it!
Swear’s red patent style that looks particularly wicked! This style isn’t yet available but it won’t be too long before it is.
If you see them in stores please let us know 
And for now, here is a close-up of the style in question:
The NDC made by Hand workshops have got exceptional know-how. This “Bond” style is just one example of what they are capable of. These are hand-made shoes with high-quality materials. Mine are blue-black, and feel like slippers!
€299 from Jefchaussures
Tony is also on Fenêtre sur papillon
Let’s get back to one of the must-have items at the moment: boots. These ones, the Opitz from the German brand Lloyd, are a lot more classic than the Blackstone python. These boots have the style of the richelieu with the patterned toe and the perforations on the sides, and the comfort of a pair of boots. A fully-leather style at an affordable price.
€111 from Sarenza
And we’re back to trainers with a brand that’s not too well known in France: PF-Flyers (an American brand that’s been around for over 70 years). They’ve just launched a collection of stylish trainers with the code name “The number 5“. A rather nice design, fabric, leather, nubuck, brown, black, and unusual patterns such as a “seventies” (see above) or even “paisley”! An interesting alternative to Vejas, Fred Perrys, Premiatas, ou autres Paul Smiths.
RRP: €110. On sale in Paris at Galeries Lafayette, Atelier Chaussure, Guardia Jeans, Le Refuge, the Tube (see our “Paris Shopping Directory” and their outlets in the UK)
Another key item at the moment: boots ! If you’re still not really a fan, you’ll see that you will be in a few days time! (well, I’m gonna try my hardest). Let’s start with one of my latest favourites: These boots from Blackstone. The specialists among you may already know this Dutch brand (see their site). I love their style: python scales layered on top of embroidery, it’s stylish, it’s wild, they’re real rock star shoes! -Hey baby, give me a beer!
RRP: €316. On sale within Paris:
This is a new style from the “West” jeans collection: this pair of Paul Smith trainers in bronze-coloured leather. A shiny brown for a bright autumn
£130 from Paul Smith
Here’s a brand we discovered in comments made about the CUC40 special “Favourite trainer brands“. A quick look at the Creative Recreation site shows that this a very worthwhile discovery. Unusual, colourful styles and diverse inspiration make this young brand (created in 2002 in California) breathe new life in the trainer market. I particularly like the Dicoco Lo style, above!
$114.99 on Amazon (See also Karmaloop)
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