Winter is right around the corner, but that doesn’t mean your wardrobe—especially your footwear—has to suffer. Shoes finish off every outfit, and we’re always looking for an excuse to pick up a few new pairs.
One of our favourite trends of the season? The black sneaker. There are countless brands pimping all-black sneakers, or kicks with a black upper and white sole. Here are 10 black kicks so fresh and so clean that ain’t nobody will look dope as you.
1. Canadian Classic
If you don’t know about Canadian footwear brand Sully Wong, then you need to because designers George Sully and Henry Wong have come out with the third installment of their popular SW J NYLO III high-top. Inspired by champion boxer Jack Johnson, this leather and nylon number will give any outfit a one-two punch in the gut. Sully Wong SWJ NYLO III, $160.
2. Sleek Slip-On
Looking for a shoe that has the look and feel of a house slipper? The Kent shoe by Rag & Bone is what you’ll want to wear all day long when you’re burning the midnight oil. Made from brushed suede this low-top shoe will easily become a weekday and weekend footwear favourite. Rag & Bone Black Kent Slip-On Shoes, $340.
3. Budget Baller
Ballers on a budget will love this sick black textured plimsoll sneaker. Plus, no one would ever need to know you bought it from Zara for less than $60. Zara Braided Plimsoll, $59.90.
4. Camo Cool
It’s difficult to resist a pair Nikes when they look like this; the NSW Tiempo ’94 SP is fashioned after the brand’s soccer cleat and is designed with enough street swagger, thanks to the camouflage print and signature swoosh, to kick the corporate dress code to the curb. Nike NSW Tiempo ’94 SP Printed Leather Sneaker, $135 USD.
5. Hare Heavyweight
Black sneakers can be a dime a dozen but British brand Mr. Hare will make walking to and from work seriously stylish. Designer Marc Hare balances comfort and swagger like a heavy weight champ with his Jack Johnson high-top; another shoe design inspired by the African American boxing champ. Mr. Hare Jack Johnson Black, £350.
6. Converse Classic
Wearing a pair of Converse to work wouldn’t normally get the thumbs out from the boss, but if you opt for this leather-clad version of the classic shoe he or she will nod their head in approval. Converse Jack Purcell Leather Sneaker, $62 USD.
7. Old School vs. New School
Handcrafted and stitched to perfection, the Healey sneaker by U.K. brand ohw? is designed with an old school silhouette yet with a new school twist; its rough-cut, leather topline and reversed back seam make it an irresistible shoe. ohw? Healey’ Sneaker, $234.52.
8. Quilt This
Before you ask the question, yes this is a sneaker. Los Angeles based-brand The Generic Man takes you to the line with their chukka. The quilted sides give this shoe a high-end look making it pass for an ordinary dress shoe. The Generic Man Quilted Leather Chukka, $330 USD.
9. Addicted to Adidas
Faithfuls to the German brand know Adidas has been serving up slick sneakers as far as the mind can remember. One of its stars, the Stan Smith, is an old favourite from the 70s. Adidas Stan Smith, $105.
10. Colour Contrast
We like to inject colour into this round-up of black footwear and no other shoe designer can throw down like Paul Smith. The U.K. cobbler’s PSJ Shore sneaks in royal blue into the rubber sole and a splash of orange on the tongue delivering a stylish knock-out punch. Paul Smith Shoes PSJ Shore, $290.
