Those fashion choices kept in closets during the lockdown days are seeing fresh air again. Aren’t we all eager to wear that pair of jeans, those work pants, and for a lot of people, those trendy or evergreen sneakers? 

Sneakers continue to dominate the world of footwear. And while the white sneaker has been a forever favorite, some bold collabs have seen breakthrough kicks, high on aesthetic. 

Then, we have the perfect balance of bolder notes in crossover sneakers. With maximal and minimal designs around the market and offbeat collabs, it is safe to say that, similar to our state of work today, the sneaker world is hybrid too.

So if you’re a minimalist with no appetite for a neon sneaker, or you feel best wearing the loudest colors, we have you covered. 

We’ve picked from the best of both—bold and subtle— worlds. Add these to your next payday splurge. 

Veja V-10

Courtesy: Veja

Among the  French fashion brand Veja fans are Emily Ratajkowski, Chloe Grace Moretz, Emma Watson, Meghan Markle, and a growing set of A-listers. 

Veja, founded in 2005, has gained a reputation as one of the most sustainable sneaker labels. The brand works with ethical suppliers and has many comfort and minimal design options. While it’s rare to see celebrities sporting a sneaker for less than $500, the brand’s close commitment to sustainable choices is an obvious indicator. 

The Veja V-10 leather sneakers are a good pair to add to your wardrobe. Its aesthetics of a beige sole and dusty pink motif are easy on the eye and coordinate well with casual and formal attire.

Louboutin Rantulow 

Courtesy: Louboutin

Retro basketball shoes inspire Christian Louboutin’s minimal Rantulow sneakers from the 80s. The simple design fuses traditional trainer features with a back counter and heel tab. The sleek black version is made from dark-gray full-grain leather and is branding-free. 

In much Louboutin style, the sneakers, too, dawn the shoemaker’s signature iconic red soles. The Rantulow sneakers pair well with jeans, T-shirts, and casual business wear. 

The Air Jordan 1 Dare To Fly

Courtesy: Nike

One of the most exciting sneaker drops in the coming weeks is from the Jordan brand. The Air Jordan 1 Dare to Fly is a new iteration of the Air Jordan 1 Low. The silhouette features an all-white exterior with matching nylon tongues and lining. Featuring the Jumpman logo and the Dare to Fly branding, the tongue ties in seamlessly with the minimal tones. The sneaker heel and swooshes in 3M reflective material add to the aesthetics of the sky blue insole. 

BAPE STA 

Courtesy: BAPE STA

When the BAPE STA first dropped in 2000, it was a smarter take on the Nike Air Force 1 Low at the height of its popularity. The iteration of the classic soon emerged as a classic in its own right, owing to its hyper-electric colors, glossy aesthetics, and support from the world of hip-hop. 

Nearly two decades later, BAPE STA is bringing back the fan favorites with innovative collaborations. The latest alliance with Marvel—celebrating the classic comic book runs of the 90s—will feature kicks themed around six of the franchise’s most iconic characters in Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Black Widow, and Rocket Racoon. 

Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 by Virgil Abloh 

Courtesy: Louis Vuitton

The Louis Vuitton and Nike Air Force 1 by Virgil Abloh collection is crafted at the House’s shoe manufacture in Fiesso d’Artico, Italy. 

It remains iconic not because of the nature of the collab but because it immortalizes the design codes that are iconic to the late Louis Vuitton Artistic Director Virgil Abloh. Abloh created these kicks to mark the 40th anniversary of the iconic Nike Air Force 1 trainers and presented his designs at the Spring-Summer 2022 Men’s Show. 

The two-tone, low-top model comes in a trompe l’oeil canvas executed in printed monogram leather and monogram-embossed calf leather. 

 Air Jordan 1 High ’85 Georgetown

Courtesy: Nike

The world of sneakers and nostalgia go hand in hand. The Air Jordan 1 Retro High ’85 Georgetown pays tribute to the shoe’s original silhouette with a restored heritage build. 

The two-tone design commemorates the 40th anniversary of Michael Jordan’s title-clinching shot against the Hoyas on March 29, 1982, pairing a light gray base with contrasting College Navy overlays. The AJ1 Hi ’85 indulges in a homage to the sneaker’s original 1985 run by dawning everything from the exterior to the sizing information on the inner collar, thereby being the closest replica to the sneaker’s debut run yet.

Adidas Craig Green Squash Polta AKH 

Courtesy: Adidas

The Adidas Craig Green Squash Polta AKH shoes are a reinterpretation of the 1988 Adidas squash shoes from the fashion visionary. The shoe displays Green’s signature illusion play, with transparent materials that expose the shoes’ interior details to reflect a message of vulnerability and acceptance. Squash-inspired rubber tooling adds to these archival shoes’ aesthetic appeal and comfort. 

Koio Capri Nuvola 

Courtesy: Koio

The Italian brand, Koio, creates a pair of sneakers crafted over four hours by expert artisans. Koio’s collection includes minimalist low and high-tops and a whole range of other designs, some of which are sleek while others push the boundaries of minimalist features (but not overtly). What’s more—while the shoes are made in Italy—the company was founded by Germans based in New York City, which only means the sneakers embody the best aesthetics from across the world. 

The Koio Capri Nuvola, built with Vitello calf leather—famous for its smooth feel, are fitted with outsoles by Margom—renowned for their durable, lightweight rubber, and finished with hand-painted edges and a bouncy insole. 

Prada Cloudbust Air 

Courtesy: Prada

If you’re tired of the usual white sneaker and looking for one that splits between minimal and maximal design codes, your search may stop with the Prada Cloudbust Air sneakers. The Italian luxury fashion goes all out with a futuristic design featuring a knit-in fabric presenting an almond toe, a lace-up front fastening, a branded insole, a logo plaque to the tongue, a contrast red rubberized logo to the heel, and a ridged rubber sole. This sneaker is dedicated to the future without compromising the rich sculptural design. 

John Lobb Levah 

Courtesy: John Lobb

The English shoemaker creates some of the best dress shoes in the market but also makes sneakers with minimalist low-top design, brushed with a chalky-white tone for an understated appearance. Because of this pair’s superior quality, aesthetics, and timelessness, they work well for essential days at work and a casual night out. So strut your design edge.