You probably see it at least once a day, it’s now a familiar shape. Comfortable, solid and stylish when required, the DUNK has become more than just a pair of shoes.

Cult and legendary, it was launched in 1985, transcending eras and styles, loved by basketball players, hip-hop masters or skaters… Whether Hi, Mid or Low, it is worn by the good and the great. Timeless and on-trend, it has become a reference point for all sneaker addicts.

Beside its status as a fashion accessory, the DUNK has become a symbol of a chilled lifestyle.

Once commonplace, but now idolised, the DUNK is back with a vintage edge and a range of colours paying hommage to American university basketball teams. This new range, called “Be true to your school” is available in Paris from Colette and Shinzo from €115. So you can have stylish feet this summer. Get moving!

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

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)

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)

Still not chosen your trainers for the summer? Here’s another suggestion from Fred Perry, the polo shirt brand, who also make trainers! Good, clean lines, a decent rubber sole, a laurel embroidered on the side, stylish and well-designed, you will just love this style

€55 reduced from €90 sur Zine fashion store

You’ve probably heard of the collaboration between Adidas and Yohji Yamamoto, Vans and Marc Jacobs, or even Le Coq Sportif with Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, well here’s a new one: between Veja and the stylist Christine Phung Based upon Veja Tauá, made of eco leather, this collection is filled with bright, pop-inspired colours, such as these in electric blue.

€99 at Printemps Design, Killiwatch et Palais de Tokyo in Paris (Limited Edition!)

So what sort of trainers should we be wearing this summer? Low, light, canvas ones… Like the “2750 Classic” from Superga for example! They’ve got everything: the low cut, canvas upper, rubber soles, simple but effective! Hmm, maybe a little too basic, actually. What do you think? What do your feet fancy this summer?

€50 from Sarenza

These elegant trainers are from Ted Baker. I love the velcro straps that are different lengths with holes pierced at the ends. It’s the little details that really make these shoes! If you live in Paris, you can find Ted Baker at 20 rue des Francs Bourgeois in the Marais district – although unfortunately it’s their only shop in France. And unless they’ve got them in, these trainers weren’t available the last time I checked but they do have a nice selection of shirts and jumpers that is worth checking out. Outside of France, check for your nearest store here.

$114.95 from Endless