Way back in a geological time period that now feels distinctly Cretaceous, when MR PORTER first set up shop, the act of getting dressed was littered with hoary diktats that have since been rendered old hat. You can’t wear white after Labor Day, don’t wear brown in town, never eat Shredded Wheat – all rules made to be broken. But throughout our lifespan, there has always been one steady constant: you can pair a pair of pared-back Common Projects sneakers with absolutely anything.

It’s hard to believe that men once questioned whether you could even wear sneakers to work, let alone with a suit. And Common Projects’ signature shoe, the Achilles, consistently a bestseller on MR PORTER, has done more than most footwear to dispel such concerns. An elevated, Italian-made take on the classic tennis shoe, the silhouette not only helped forge the luxury sneaker market, but forced the leading sportswear players to lift their own game.

The shoe’s success also allowed Common Projects to expand its range and introduce models that draw inspiration from other disciplines. The Bball, for example, is a nod to, you guessed it, basketball. Elsewhere, you’ll see running sneakers, as well as Derbies and Chelsea boots, in the brand’s line-up.

So, yes, Common Projects mastered the crisp, white, minimalist shoe that you can wear all year round, certainly well into September. And with numerous shades to choose from, there are now beige nubucks and tan leathers, not to mention a rich brown full-grain, that you can happily sport in any metropolis. If you can tell a lot about a person by the shoes they wear, a pair of Common Projects is a good place to start (as is a hearty breakfast).