THE JOURNAL
3 MINUTE READ
Five Luxury Sneakers To Elevate Your Rotation
Words by Jack Stanley
13 September 2022
It wasn’t that long ago that the phrase “luxury sneaker” was something of an oxymoron. Your sneakers were for running, jumping or kicking, and there was nothing luxurious about any of them. Nowadays, though, these high-end sneakers are an essential part of any wardrobe. A good luxury sneaker is the perfect item to elevate your entire footwear rotation, bridging the gap between your casual sneakers and your formal shoes. They also guarantee a certain flexibility, mixing comfort and ease with the luxury world’s quality and aesthetics. This combination makes luxury sneakers perfectly suited for either dressing up or dressing down.
01.
The quietly technical Loro Piana shell sneakers
Loro Piana’s Weekend Walk silhouette celebrates two classic virtues of good sneakers: comfort and durability. Designed for – you guessed it – weekend strolls, the shoe is equipped with a lightweight rubber outsole that makes it the ideal choice for pounding the pavements or paths. Added to that is its technical construction, which includes a weather-resistant outer constructed using the brand’s very own Storm System technology, helping to make the Weekend Walk a shoe for all occasions, weekend or otherwise.
02.
The sophisticated Brunello Cucinelli suede slip-ons
For a lot of people, the slip-on sneaker is most associated with a certain skateboard shoe. But then you wouldn’t want to take these anywhere near a ramp. Brunello Cucinelli has managed to take the world-famous silhouette to the next level with the use of supple calf suede and the house’s coat of arms on each heel tab. Despite the luxurious finish, the best thing about the sneaker is its versatility, with its classic shape and design as well as its grey colourway making it a straightforward addition to any rotation.
03.
The refined TOM FORD low-top
With its low-top silhouette and perforated toe box, TOM FORD’s Radcliffe sneaker draws upon classic tennis silhouettes for inspiration. Despite its athletic origins, it has its ambitions set far above sporting excellence. The luxurious suede construction and gold TOM FORD branding on each heel help to give the sneaker a different dimension, while the military-influenced green colourway adds a utilitarian edge that makes the Radcliffe endlessly wearable.
04.
The Row’s stripped-back suede slip-on
Like everything from The Row, there is absolutely nothing unnecessary about the Dean slip-on sneakers. The design is pared back to its essential parts: a one-piece black suede upper and a chunky rubber sole unit. Sometimes, simplicity really is the key – and nothing proves it better than the Dean slip-on.
05.
The Zegna stealth slip-on
Zegna’s take on the slip-on silhouette manages to make it look anything but slip-on. At first glance, the shoe features a traditional lace-up design, but in reality those laces are only there to keep your foot in place. If anything, it all makes the shoe look even smarter than it actually is. A luxury lace-up sneaker with all the ease and comfort of a slip-on? Sign us up.
