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Where you should put your pounds when it comes to men's footwear

Where you should put your pounds when it comes to men's footwear

A wise man once said that you should spend money on your shoes and your bed because if you're not in one, then you're in other. No idea who they guy was but his words ring true. However, nowadays when it comes to shoes money doesn't always equal quality or value. So how do I go about getting the most bang for my buck I hear you ask? Well, firstly I would recommend always going for brands, for example dr martens shoes for men. With brand names, particularly dr martens shoes for men, you know that you're getting a certain level of quality and style. Also, durability is almost guaranteed from a solid pair of DM's. With a thick sole and hefty leather paired with their trademark yellow stitching you can be sure that they'll stand up to almost anything you could throw at them. The reason behind the higher quality lying withing brand names is partly due to the brands accountability and reputation having huge importance. If their products aren't known to last long no one will want them. For that reason brands tend to sacrifice on profit margin slightly by prioritising durability and therefor invest in more expensive, higher quality materials. Brands most known for their high quality products include dr martens shoes for men (and women). Another sure fire way to get the most for your money is by getting something versatile. This ideally means a pair of shoes that can be worn on both smart and casual nights out, or even to work. With new trends like trainers with suits becoming more and more common this is easier than ever. However trainers with smart clothing isn't for everyone, with some believing it to look like more of an afterthought than a fashion statement. The solution to this is dr martens shoes for men. Leather classics such as these can be worn on almost any occasion with versatility that is unmatched by any other style. Dr Martens shoes for men should be a staple in any mans shoe closet. They're a classic that never really went away and depending on which style you go for, you can dress them up any way you like. You really can go from one extreme to the other with the leather lace up boots with their chunky sole, you can make up a positively punk look complete with true authenticity, you'll look like you've straight out of a sex pistols concert. Alternative styles such as these are very much 'back in' now and are the perfect balance between edgy and mainstream. That being said, if you go for a slightly lower profile pair of dr martens shoes for men and throw on a pair of jeans or chinos and a button down or flannel shirt you'll look fashionably casual. You could even pair them with a suit, with the bulky, shiny finish perfectly rounding off a sharp yet up to date and powerful look. Dr martens shoes for men really are a must for the footwear choice of any man, it's a great go to option.
  • Sarah Nicks
How skate shoes have penetrated every level of the footwear market

How skate shoes have penetrated every level of the footwear market

Skate shoe brands such as Vans have ruled the streets of late. Both in terms of the vast variety of consumer and sheer volume. Nowhere will you go and not see someone in a pair of old skool's or authentics, whether that be on your local high-street, kids playground or nightclub. But why is this? Well, skateboarding has steadily gained popularity since the boom of the 80's and it would seem that the clothes fashion and style associated with it have done the same.

This explains why despite the fact that teens involved with skateboarding have coined the new style as their own it has still gradually become THE accepted street attire in both skaters and non skaters alike, and it's largely unknown as to why. While all skate related clothing brands have become the norm for all age groups and background it's the shoes that particularly interest me. This is because of the different levels of fashion that they have made their way in to, from street style to runway.

The release of Dylan Rieder's 2013 self titled 'dylan' slip on shoe for Gravis marked a turning point in the relationship between skate shoes and fashion. And the affect hasn't slowed one bit even after his untimely death in October of 2016. The reason Dylan's pro shoe release was such a big deal was the design, which Dylan himself had a huge hand in creating.

His shoe was so different from any other skate shoe that had ever been released due to the likeness it had with a designer dress shoe. The inspiration behind this was drawn from Dylan's longstanding ties with the fashion world. He has appeared in many ad campaigns from high profile brands such as DKNY, in which he stood along side models Cara Delevigne and Jourdan Dunn as well as rapper A$AP Rocky.

Many skateboarders criticized Rieder and the release of 'the dylan' shoe caused a lot of controversy as to what a skate shoe should be. But this was to be expected. Rieder was well aware of this but continued to wear and produce fashionable shoes that blurred the lines between skateboarding and fashion, even when Gravis went under he was brought onto the HUF team and created 2 more signature shoes; one loafer style slip on, very similar to his first shoe for Gravis and a lace up in various leather styles. Ever since this release and even after his death he continues to be a huge influence on fashion and has gone down as one of the most influential skateboarders of all time.

Here he features in a short video documenting his thoughts on skateboarding and style, created by Sebastien Zanella and published by Desillusion magazine.

https://vimeo.com/channels/thisisdesillusion

What You Need to Know About the Materials Your Running Shoes are Made of

What You Need to Know About the Materials Your Running Shoes are Made of

Running shoes are primarily meant to serve the purpose of protecting your feet while running. This includes providing comfort as well as a proper movement of your feet. Traditionally, all running shoes were made of the same materials. The story is different now though, with different brands having to differentiate their products in the market in new and innovative ways. Your choice of running shoes will depend on how you run, how often you run, and on what surface(s) you run. If you’re a regular runner, you will need a pair of shoes made of highly durable materials that doesn’t need to be cleaned too often. So, when choosing which pair to buy, it is important to keep the shoe materials in mind. Let’s take a look at what running shoes are made of. The different parts of the shoe and their materials Running shoes are made up of three parts:
  • Upper – This part is what holds the feet in place. The materials used are usually:
  1. Synthetic leather for durability,
  2. Nylon mesh for breathability,
  3. Reflective material for safety, and
  4. TPU (thermoplastic urethane) – overlays of this material are placed over the mesh panels to improve support and durability.
Nowadays, running shoes with knitted uppers have become popular. They provide both support and flexibility with minimal material wastage.
  • Midsole – This is the part of the shoe between the upper and the outsole. It provides support and cushioning for the foot. There are usually two materials used in this part:
  1. EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) – it is a type of foam. Cushioning shoes use a single layer of EVA while shoes that are meant to provide specific flex patterns will have multiple densities of this material in the midsole. Dual-density EVA is used in shoes that are meant to provide motion control and increased support for runners who tend to exert too much pressure while landing.
  2. TPU (thermoplastic urethane) – this material is more durable and stable than EVA but it is heavier. You will find this material being used in shoes meant for motion control. If your landings while running aren’t very stable, choosing a shoe that has polyurethane in its midsole might be the sensible choice.
  • Outsole – This is basically the sole of the shoe. It has treads that provide traction and flex grooves for flexibility. Depending on your need, you can get shoes with thicker, more stable soles or soles with flex patterns that enhance the flexibility of your feet while running. Outsoles are usually made of two materials:
  1. Carbon rubber – this material is highly durable and used mostly in the heel area. However, shoes meant for trail running will have soles that are made entirely of carbon rubber.
  2. Blown rubber – it is lighter and more flexible than carbon rubber but not as durable. It provides more cushioning, so it is used in the forefoot area. Shoes meant for running on roads and other similar surfaces will usually have soles entirely made of blown rubber for increased comfort and reduced weight.
Must-Have Shoes for the Winter

Must-Have Shoes for the Winter

Winter wear is functionally about keeping warm and protecting ourselves from the cold weather, but doing it stylishly is where all the fun is. Coats and jackets aren’t the only things to consider when trying to be fashionable in the cold season. A big part of winter fashion is the footwear, and there are so many styles to choose from! There's a few pairs of winter shoes that every woman should own in order to be prepared for the entire season, whether it’s for a casual outing with friends or a dressy dinner party.  
  • Low-cut ankle boots – Ankle boots never go out of fashion and they are very versatile. You can wear ankle boots with skinny jeans, leggings, and dresses too. They can be casual and comfortable as well as stylish and ready for a party. Moreover, they’re sure to keep your toes warm. Not only do they serve the function of protective and sturdy footwear, they also add style. Booties with chunky heels or stilettos can transform anything you wear from a regular outfit to a stylish one. You also have Chelsea boots which, frankly, are indispensable for any woman. They’re comfortable, they look good and you can wear them with anything.
  • Lace-up ankle boots – These are more casual than dressy, but they can take your casual outfit style quotient up several notches. If you want to wear comfortable and warm shoes but still add some edge, these are the perfect pair of shoes. They look great with jeans and dresses. Investing in a solid pair of lace-up ankle boots is the most sensible thing you can do for your winter wardrobe.
  • Weather-proof boots – Shoes are meant to protect your feet and keep you warm, and it can be done without looking terrible. Nowadays, choices are not just limited to wellies or chunky snow boots. There are faux fur-lined, water-proof boots available to suit a variety of needs, from sporty and casual to elegant and stylish.
  • Platform shoes – Thick soles are a good way to keep dry and warm by preventing snow and slush from reaching your feet. Not only do they serve the function of creating physical distance between your feet and the wet ground below, platform heels look great. Whether they are chunky heeled booties or close-toed clogs, platform shoes bring the extra style to any outfit. They’re also very comfortable, so you can walk around in them for hours and you’ll still be able to rock them without your legs wanting to give out.
  • Trainers – Everyone’s got to have a pair of these for use all through the year, regardless of the season. It doesn’t have to be a drab and only functional pair though. Liven up your casual trainers game by investing in a good pair that comes with some style, like faux-fur lined high-tops or knit trainers or even a metal studded or metallic finish pair of kicks.