Style
The Rules /
Sneakers Stow away your loafers—casual kicks have taken a step up.
Gym shoes they are not. They’re designer sneakers,
Clockwise from top: Jimmy Choo Barlowe, $995 Dior Homme B12, $740 United Nude Mens Runner, $169
and they look damn sharp. “You can wear them with just about anything,” says Elliott Curtis, a cofounder of Sneakerology 101, the first accredited college course on sneaker culture, at Carnegie Mellon University. So listen to the experts: It’s time to raise your footwear game. —Dan Michel
Keep ’Em Clean Dirty sneakers are fine for mowing the lawn, but they’re an eyesore at the dinner table. So keep a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser ($4 for a fourpack, lowes.com) on hand to remove scuffs, says Peter Chun, the founder of Swaag, an app that allows users to share and shop for sneakers. Stain too big for Mr. Clean? Make a paste using water and OxiClean powder ($10, walgreens.com). Rub it into the stain, let it sit for five to 10 minutes, and blot it dry with a clean wet cloth.
High Fashion Try it with a suit. Seriously.
new School Patent leather puts a shiny spin on retro style.
DO Save the Toe
Perfectionists, take note: If you just slide some Sneaker Shields ($13, sneakershields. com) into your shoes, you can preserve the new look. The plastic inserts fit inside the toe and prevent creases. And months from now, your sneaks will still look fresh from the box. Prop st yling: Sarah Guido/Halley Resources
Foot Zen The entire body is made of comfortable elastic. 70 MensHealth.com | July/August 2014
P h o t o g r a p h b y Ya s u + J u n k o
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PRICEY
Common Projects Achilles, $410
Pierre Hardy CX03 Multi Jeans, $675
Prada Crocodile Sneakers, $3,500
FIND YOUR NEW FOOTWEAR The “sneakerverse� is vast and intimidating. To simplify your search, decide how flashy you want to be and how much you’re willing to spend. Then choose accordingly.
Alejandro Ingelmo Josh, $550
Bally Okar, $450
Converse by John Varvatos Chuck Taylor All Star Double Zip, $190
Puma by McQ McQ Climb Mid, $195
K-Swiss Tre Emme Break Leather, $150
Kenneth Cole New York Double Header, $158
Adidas Originals SL Loop Runner, $75
Reebok Blacktop Battleground, $125 Aldo Goranson, $80
Pony Topstar Hi Empire Leather, $60
New Balance ML501TCG, $68
INEXPENSIVE
Reebok GL6000, $85
SUBTLE
BOLD
Rock Slim Pants
When you wear bold shoes, show restraint by choosing neutralcolored clothing. “Let your shoes do the talking,� says Curtis.
You can pair sneakers with nice jeans and a blazer—or hell, even a full suit—as long as your pants break high. If they bunch, they’re too long.
Too much girth in the legs (think boot cut) is awkward. It hides narrow sneakers and makes chunkier shoes look like clogs.
DON’T Color Code
“Guys who coordinate their accessories with their sneakers are trying too hard,� says Curtis. Wearing a navy blue hat with your navy blue Aldos? People will think you’re in uniform.
DON’T Wear Trainers
DO Cuff the Width
If you work out in them, then that means they’re your gym shoes, not your office shoes. “You want to look rebellious yet focused—not like you forgot your dress shoes,� says Curtis.
Fix bagginess like this: Pinch the slack at the inside seam; then, leaving just a little space, fold the seam over. Finally, cuff the pants two times to lock the fold in place.
72 MENSHEALTH.COM | July/August 2014
THE SPARE-NOHAIRRAZOR
Lace Like Crazy There are dozens of ways to string a shoe. “And changing it up will help you stand out,� says Matt Sleep, senior designer for Converse. Try these to impress a shoe-crazy lady. LOOP BACK
Show Some Ankle
SAWTOOTH
Remain Neutral
THE MH MUSTHAVE
Gillette’s new five-blade ProGlide swivels in four directions, which helps it stay flat against your skin and bend around the contours of your face. That’s perfect for those early mornings when you’re too groggy (or hungover) to keep your hand steady. GILLETTE FUSION PROGLIDE WITH FLEXBALL TECHNOLOGY, $10
T h o m a s M a c D o n a l d (s n e a k e r s) , M i t c h M a n d e l (r a z o r); G I O P A S T O R I ( i l l u s t r a t i o n s)
LADDER
Style
For more info on these items, see page 151.
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Lace Yourself for Impact
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