Old-School, Low Skate-Style Shoes

The wave of counterculture appropriation just keeps on washing over us, the fervent aesthetes, who want to look like a skateboarder without all the unwavering dedication, talent and broken bones it takes to actually be one.

Thankfully, the puffy Etnies of old have ollied their last. In their stead are slightly less bloated, low-profile skate silhouettes versatile enough to be worn off-the-ramp but sturdy enough to be scraped and battered and only get better with age.

Vans Old Skools, for example, are a certified design classic (not the hi-tops, mind – they are all kinds of terrible) and come ‘Ye-approved, while Converse’s Jack Purcells are still sitting comfortably in that smart-casual sweet spot. Ditto the chunky low-tops from the likes of Novesta and PF Flyers.

If you really want to spunk your rent money, Visvim’s luxe Skagway slip-ons have that perfect trust fund-meets-The Big Lebowski vibe. Which is a thing. Trust us.

VANS OLD SKOOL

GREATS

CONVERSE JACK PURCELL

Current Styles

Fashion Trainers

It’s no secret that fashion houses have been jumping on trainers over the past couple of years in a bid to take a bite out of the sneakerhead market. And every label worth its stitching has at least an in-house pair or two.

Usually offered at an astonishing mark-up, purchasing a pair of these is an undeniable lifestyle flex. Designers Raf Simons and Rick Owens have garnered a lot of chatter for their adidas collaborations, but mainstays like Lanvin (arguably a key progenitor of our current obsession with kicks), Italian-made Koio Collective and esteemed London cobbler John Lobb have recently brought out stellar efforts, too.

Lobb’s ultra-minimalist Levah – a lightweight summer-ready sneaker available in suede and velveteen calf leather – caught eyes last year, and Parisian disruptor Damir Doma’s sub-label SILENT delivered the goods with the colour-blocked Fedka low-top.

With millennials an increasingly important market for high-end labels, expect to see plenty more superbly crafted ‘accessible’ styles, at less than accessible price points.

Top 5 Menswear Spring/Summer 2016 Trends To Try Now

Spring 2016 collections brought back traditional colours, modern shapes and a range of unexpected accessories for the hotter months. From 50’s inspired shirts to overalls, this guide will help with navigating the latest menswear trends for your new Spring/Summer 2016 wardrobe.

1. Bomber Jackets

Use the 50s bomber jackets from the menswear Spring/Summer 2016 collections as a style reference and try them in dark hues.  Bomber jackets are versatile for casual days and keep looks cool and comfortable. Channel this trend with the variety of new colours and materials available to keep things more contemporary.

Alexander Wang, Simon Miller, Salvatore Ferragamo, Versace, Louis Vuitton

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2. Overalls

The recent menswear Spring/Summer 2016 collections referenced a nod to mechanic-like overalls, showcasing them in dark blacks, cool toned denims and dusky greens. Keep denim overalls low key with a white tee and a simple trainer or maximise the overall aesthetic of a black pair by keeping all other clothing darker, a la Alexander Wang.

Alexander Wang, Greg Lauren, Givenchy, A.P.C

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3. Fifties Shirts

Keep things relaxed with oversized polos and textured fifties shirts exemplified by the runway collections of Raf Simons and Louis Vuitton. Balance out this trend with a tailored pant andaccessorise with darker wayfarers for a true fifties vibe. This silhouette works perfectly in darker tones as well as powder hues, but contrast is key when combining colours, to sustain a more polished look.

Louis Vuitton, Raf Simons, Canali, Lanvin, Umit Benan

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4. Shorter Shorts

Design houses like Prada and Gucci brought back short shorts in a range of colours and prints. Particularly great for spring/summer weather, keep short shorts bright with colours like blue, green and yellow for beach days or interpret this trend with more tailored styles in an array of subtle, darker colours for versatility with simple button down shirts.

Top Shop Design, Prada, Gucci

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5. White Chinos & Trousers

Incredibly complementary with deep navies and pops of bright colours, the white denim and chinotrend is worn best with accessories like dusty brown boots and belts. Style the white pants with traditional cable knits and patterned sweaters for preppy takes on vintage cricket attire or combine white denim with washed out chambray button down shirts for a classic weekend look.

Tommy Hilfiger, Dior Homme, Polo Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein Collection

Men’s Spring/Summer 2016 Accessory Trends

Spring 2016 collections saw a return to boyish accessories, annotated with novel baseball caps and boy-scout neckerchiefs perfect for casual looks. Interpretation of these trends for spring and summer days should be seamless, given their alluring versatility and the wide range of styles available.

Here’s our rundown of 4 accessories you should be considering this spring.

1. Baseball Caps

Keep things cool and laidback with caps for casual spring and summer looks. Reference nineties street style with darker hues like Calvin Klein Collection and accompany white t-shirts with muted tan caps featured in Versace and Balmain. Switch things up with different shapes and tones. Tame your bed head with a washed out baseball cap to keep things casual and preppy or ground colourful looks with black and navy caps.

Versace, Salvatore Ferragamo, Balmain, Calvin Klein Collection, Polo Ralph Lauren

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2. Bandana Neckerchiefs

Bandana neckerchiefs were the accessory highlights in the Louis Vuitton, Margaret Howell and Hermes collections. Interpret this trend with a loose fitting bandana, maintaining versatility by making its incorporation in your outfits more youthful and palatable for casual looks. Ensure your bandanas are longer and able to produce scout worthy knots.

Margaret Howell, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Margaret Howell, Louis Vuitton

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3. Slip On Shoes

Maintain casual, yet put together looks with the humble slipper. In a range of materials for spring and summer, the options are endless with the latest styles and shapes which provide easy and polished finish. Keep things classic by pairing slippers with traditionalist trenches reminiscent of Burberry Prorsum or incorporate a slipper with more colourful, casual looks a la Moschino. Keep trousers well tailored when trying out the slipper trend, maintaining the outfit balance.

Burberry Prorsum, Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino, Haider Ackermann, Moschino

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4. Long Scarves

Wear the long scarf trend in versatile colours and thinner fabrics. Adapt long scarves for casual days or wear them with the more corporate looks. This accessory is a great accompaniment with trenches or light spring jackets. Keep colours rich like the dim oxbloods used in Burberry Prorsum for more of a statement or go for washed out patterned scarves like Missoni for laid-back spring day looks.

Andrea Pompilio, Missoni, Burberry Prorsum, Saint Laurent, Missoni

MANSUR GAVRIEL INTRODUCES NEW BAG AND SHOE STYLES AT FASHION WEEK

A model sits alongside Mansur Gavriel's new Sun bag in a pair of matching slipper heels. Photo: Mansur Gavriel

Mansur Gavriel, maker of the famous — and still hard to find — minimalist bucket bag, held its second New York Fashion Week presentation in downtown Manhattan Monday, where designers Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel introduced two new bag shapes and five new shoe styles that are bound to get loyal followers panting.

In a two-tiered room painted Mansur Gavriel's signature pale pink, models swathed in soft camel walked about examining the styles on display, and lounging over bowls of fruit and couches the same delicate color as their clothes. In their hands were the two new bag shapes for fall 2016. The first of these, the Sun, is a top-handled bag threaded with a leather tie that comes in large, medium and mini sizes — in its largest incantation, it reads like a more modern, minimalist take on the Birkin, and would work well as a bag to tote to and from work. It comes in a lush suede as well as both calf and patent leather — the latter two materials are a first for the label. Other models carried a squarish, more vintage-inspired bag called the Elegant, featuring both a top-handle and a clasp, suitable for more formal occasions.

The Elegant bag in pink calf. Photo: Mansur Gavriel

On their feet models wore matching shoes in five new styles: a Venetian loafer (in heel heights of 10mm and 30mm), a classic flat loafer, a pointed heel, a backless "heel slipper," a ballerina (in flat and 40mm) and, the most novel, a suede ankle boot lined with thick shearling, which ranged in heel height from flat to 90mm, with the taller styles featuring a platform sole. In light-colored suede, it may not be the most practical winter option, but it's certainly a very luxe and chic one. "We just wanted a really cozy winter boot that felt wearable," Mansur said before the show. "The boot we always wished we could have," Gavriel added.

Mansur and Gavriel have been especially busy as of late, supervising the delivery of their spring 2016 collection — the first to feature shoes — and designing this one. The company now has 18 employees, but all of the design and production is still handled entirely by the two of them. "It's getting challenging, we need to build that team," Mansur said. As for the promised ready-to-wear line? They're still working on finding the right partners.

The Sun bag and ankle boots on display. Photo: Mansur Gavriel

For those of you hoping to get your hands on spring '16 shoes: Net-a-Porter has already received several styles, and will be receiving more over the next two weeks. A selection of other top-tier retailers — Opening Ceremony, Bergdorf Goodman, Dover Street Market, Colette, Steven Alan Tribeca and Lane Crawford — are scheduled to receive deliveries around the same time, with the label's own e-commerce site to follow.

For a closer look at the fall 2016 collection, check out the slideshow below.