Shoes by Nike. Socks by Paul Smith.
Not even one year ago, Nike launched NikeLab, a brick and mortar retail initiative with 9 carefully selected locations throughout the world. The idea behind NikeLab was to take your classic, beloved Nike designs (e.g. your Dunks, Blazers, and now Frees, etc.) and infuse them with some creative energy, resulting in some truly fresh takes on the tried and true. Smart move here on Nike's part. I'm sure they noticed how crazy people get, and how much money they drop, on rare collaborations between Nike and independent streetwear designers. Trust me, I know. Once upon a time I was one of those kids waiting for hours and hours in lines that went around the block over at the Undefeated on La Brea (shoutout to Will, Austin, and Woody for their companionship back in the day). If you're Nike, why not move all that in-house, open up a few stores, and further cement your status as the world's most lucrative sportswear company?
Anyways. I strolled on over to NikeLab's 21 Mercer Street location in SoHo to see what all the hullabaloo was about. There I saw a pair of the above-pictured Nike SolarSoft Costa Jacquard. I was immediately drawn to the herringbone-esque black-and-white patterned print, so I went ahead and pulled the trigger.
Since I can no longer wear sneakers on the weekdays, I'm even more inclined to rock them on the weekends. The sneakers + rolled-up, washed denim combo screams I "forgot" my BlackBerry at home (jk, NEVER FORGET YOUR BB AT HOME!). I also really like pairing sneakers with dress socks. Especially here. The black and white pattern on these Nikes serves as a striking canvas for some equally bold royal blue/red half-moon patterned dress socks from none other than Sir Paul Smith. Pairing dress socks with sneakers allows for an extra dose of individuality in that the pairing is relatively rare in an of itself, but also allows you to choose from an endless universe of dress socks to infuse some new life in the sneakers you already own. The key to pulling off such a pairing is to make sure you're not showing too much sock. Give 'em a little tease and you'll be good to go. LATAZ
NikeLab Milan (PC: HighSnobiety)