Trainer of The Year: Runners Up

Runners up, and testament to my love of Nike's collections and collaborations this year come:

1) Nike x Supreme. On the back of Supreme being the brand of choice for Odd Future and its enigmatic leader, Tyler, the Creator.
2) Nike Air Jordan. The latest incarnation of the iconic shoe has found fans in a new generation of younger hipsters, yet still remains a classic 26 years after the original.

You Know I Got Sole: The Sock&Sole Awards, 2011

'Its been a long time, I shouldn't have left you, without a strong [shoe] to step to.'

Eric B & Rakim (You Know I Got Soul)

My apologies loyal readers, I have been in transition! The messages from readers like @JammyOlives on Twitter really gave me a shove to get producing some new material. 

Anyway I'm back now and you will be blessed with my interpretation of a year in the shoe game, in the form of the The Sock&Sole Awards, as you can tell this idea came from the VMA's and I thought to do my own. 

The format is simple. Six categories: 

• Best Smart Shoe
• Best Sock
• Best Casual Shoe
• Best Trainer
• Sock Brand of the Year
• Shoe Brand of the Year

Shortlist of three, from which the winner will be selected, by Sock&Sole. 

Any questions?

#StandbyForThePresentation

@SockandSole

Be@rbrick X Happy Socks

Still loving the collaborations at Sock&Sole we have another one for you! Be@rbrick, the toy bear makers from Japan, have released a new sock with one of its bears. In truly limited edition fashion, may I present, the Be@rbrick x Happy Sock.

#HIGHLYCollectible.

#Interact. @SockandSole

Brand Watch: Quoddy Shoes

Made in Maine, New England, Quoddy are purveyors of the finest moccasins Sock&Sole has had the pleasure of writing about. When first looking at the collections, we looked at the price and not much else, but as the old adage goes, you really do get what you pay for! Individually hand sewn shoes, the finest materials and comfort to match! Check them out on their site... But as usual S&S's representation does just as good a job!

Gentleman's Stripe Happy Socks

Following on from Tom Ford's Five Easy Lessons To Be A Modern Gentleman, Sock&Sole interprets 'Rule 1) You should put on the best version of yourself when you go out into the world because that is a show of respect to the other people around you.' As a tedious way of saying...wear great shoes. Wear greater socks. Happy Socks agree and have produced a sock of gentlemanly ilk.

#TrueGent 

@SockandSole

Hermes x Vans

'Hermes, Pastelle, I pass the [VANS]!?
Hermes have embarked on a collaboration which theoretically shouldn't work on any level. But strangely enough it does. Classic Hermes design meets contemporary slip on plimsoll. Based on designs from Robert Verdi's vintage Hermes scarves, the end product speaks for itself.

#Coveted

@SockandSole

New Shoes

'I put some new shoes on and suddenly everything is right'

So Sock&Sole have been active in the shoe market of late, and we thought we'd show off some of our new weapons!

They include Nike Blazers, Brogues and a weaved slip on sandal with a Monk Strap curtesy of a charity shop.

Invest.

S&S

Dr. Sole

'Who's The Dr. They Told You To Go See?'
Dr. Martens. They're becoming a staple boot, purely on merit and their simplicity, and these guys making them look fresh. Thick soled boot. Patent upper. Wild array of colourways. They look like they'll take a while to break in. Go vintage. Simple.

Trail Blazers...

July 1st. A big day in the shoe world. It is when the major labels bring out their new summer kicks and there are some beauties in there! (See End Clothing's Pre-Order list)
On this list, our personal favourites are the Nike Blazer Vintage - in all three incarnations, (mid, lo and high). Available in a variety of colours they are a modern classic and look insane with shorts and tube socks!

Just Blaze!
Sock&Sole

A.P.C. Buckled Derby

Following the previous post on A.P.C. They have released what, for Sock&Sole, is the smart/casual shoe of the Summer 2011. Based on a Monk Strap/Derby Shoe hybrid, this shoe really is the best of both worlds!

Magnifique,

S&S

Collaboration Kings

Meet Generic Surplus. They specialise in casual shoes and collaborating with street brands such as Obey, to high fashion labels, like Comme des Garcons.
Their project for Obey is especially apt. These are shoes for the summer. An inexpensive plimsoll, featuring elements of a boat and deck shoe available in three colourways.

Coveted.

Sock for Sole

One Day, We're Gonna Live In Paris

"I think it is only by trying to create something beautiful, that you manage to have a bearable existence.'
Monsieur Jean Touitou, President A.P.C.

Created in 1987, by its President, as mentioned above, Atelier de Production et de Creation (A.P.C.) was spawned as a throwback to French ostentatious fashion at the time. Their ethos, simple - well tailored wardrobe staples, derived from workwear and free from embellishment. And then there's the shoes. Wardrobe staples, beautifully crafted.

Parisian cool.
Chaussette et Semelle

One Over Jordan

'When I come back like Jordan, wearing the 4-5, it aint to play games with you'

It's Playoff times baby! The Lakers have been swept, the Bulls have run out of steam. Remaining are the Heat and the Mavs. As a tribute to one of the NBA's greatest sons, Sock & Sole presents his shoe. The Nike Air Jordan.

Fly.

@SockandSole

Tube Socks

I decided to write about tube socks after looking through some pictures of Odd Future skating. Very popular with skaters since the late 1990's, tube socks are knitted into a single tube, with no heel/ankle region. The only size choice you have is in their length. They look cool in the summer with shorts and plimsolls (see Sock&Sole's 11 for 11 on Plimsolls), and in the winter, theres nothing warmer for your legs.

Check it out. 

Get some. 

S&S

A Suit and a Sole

'So now your [ ] dressing up, man do what you do,
I got style, pimp, it's more than just the suit and the shoe...' 
Seems that Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. had it spot on. Apparently its wedding/formal season. Invest in some good soles for that suit.

S&S