Spring inspiration: 5 sneakers

Common Projects Achilles

When a white minimalist leather sneaker with gold lettering started appearing in street style photos and style profiles in 2010, many eyebrows were raised. In an era where GAT (German Army Trainers), Superga, Converse and Stan Smith and others were fighting for the place as the best white sneakers, Flavio Girolami and Prathan Poopat chose to launch Common Projects. The brand is characterised by very high quality and they’re known for the minimalist leather Achilles sneakers. Initially only white and black - but now in a varied range of different colours. Although the popularity or "hype" has cooled somewhat in recent years, we cannot deny that they are a true future classic.

For those who:

Are looking for a pair of high quality sneakers, featuring a minimalistic and stylish design. Matches perfectly both with a suit as with jeans and are as comfortable similar comfort to your well-worn dress shoes.

New Balance 990 v6

The iconic dad shoe. ”Worn by super models in London and dads in Ohio”, to quote the American shoe giant's own slogan. Comfort, timelessness and cult status are words that can be associated with the 990 model, which stems all the way back to 1982. Over the years the model has received a series of updates and the latest (version 6) offers better cushioning, premium materials in the form of leather sections on top of a mesh with high breathability. Teddy Santis, who is Creative Director for the Made in USA line at New Balance, believes few sneakers on the market are as well thought out as well as using carefully selected premium materials as the Made in USA line.

For those who:

Want to go all out on the dad style, value high comfort or just want a versatile sneaker for your everyday wardrobe.

Adidas Spezial

The recent seasons' boom for Adidas has hardly escaped anyone. Since their model Samba blew up in popularity (again), not least on social media, there has also been a great demand for the other iconic models from the Orginals line. Campus, Gazelle, Spezial, Tobacco and Hamburg have all stepped into the limelight. Now it's not just Liam Gallagher of Oasis and British football supporters who are alone in matching the Stone Island jacket with a pair of Adidas sneakers. All models have a number of features in common, where a sporty profile, durability and lower sole characterise them.

For those who:

Want a simple sneaker that lasts over time, with documented iconic status. An alternative to your New Balance or white sneakers.

Autry Medalist Low

Autry was founded in 1982 by Jim Autry in Dallas, Texas. The idea was to create stylish tennis-inspired sneakers with high comfort and quality. In the 80s and 90s, the shoes received a lot of attention, winning prizes and publicity. The brand then went out of business due to the founder's passing and has not in use until 2019. Now the brand is on the move again, with solid experience from the shoe industry behind it. In recent seasons, the Autry Medalist Low model has re-emerged and gained recognition from both trend-sensitive High-End audiences to the more die-hard menswear enthusiasts. Made in the USA, the model features a vintage-inspired design with a chunky sole and the brand's recognisable flag on the side.

For those who:

Know who the tennis player Bob Lutz is, looking for a classic tennis-inspired sneaker or maybe looking for a slightly more chunky model. The Medalist Low works great with trousers that have a straight and/or relaxed fit.

Lanvin Cap Toe

Worn by the world's biggest artists and actors based in central Paris, Lanvin's sneaker model Cap Toe is what is called a truly luxury sneaker. However, who said a luxury sneaker had to be eccentric with big logos and coloured laces? This model from the French Haute Couture house features a minimalist design, which works just as well with a pair of wool trousers as with jeans. The upper consists of calf leather in a suede finish and the toecap adds a formal touch to the shoes. A dressy sneaker that works for a variety of occasions. The model is available with either a glossy toecap or a leather toecap, as well as available in a range of different colours from us at Care of Carl.

For those who:

Are looking for a high-quality, discreet luxury sneaker and want something that is a step below a classic dressy loafer or derby.