Our edit of the best new sneakers and boots to buy now.

It’s strange to think there was a life before Common Projects. If you wanted an Italian-made, serenely minimalist sneaker, where exactly did you go? More to the point, what on earth did 70 per cent of the MR PORTER office wear to work during this period? Or did they all just go barefoot? Such perturbing thoughts are testimony to the fact that since this New York-based brand launched in 2004, it has become not just a style sensation, but a crucial part of the everyday male wardrobe. It is best known for the classic Achilles model, a white tennis sneaker in premium Italian leather with a slightly elongated profile, which makes it that little bit more dressy than its rivals in the field. But Common Projects brings a similar sense of refinement to all the classic shoe shapes and styles it works its magic on, a fact that is clear to see from the new products that have dropped this season. Scroll down for our current favourites, and the best trousers to wear them with.

There seems to be a growing inclination in the high-end sneaker world towards subtler colours than of yore. Gone are the bright reds and blues you might have found a couple of years ago. In their place are rich, sophisticated shades, as in the sneaker above, a new variation of Common Projects’ BBall style, rendered in tan nubuck leather. Let the colour sing by wearing them with dark (black or navy) wool trousers, such as this sporty Ari pair from Acne Studios, which feature an elasticated waistband for optimum comfort. You might also want to (by which we mean you will definitely need to) invest in some Jason Markk Repel Spray. Just because peachy suede is on trend doesn’t mean it fends off the dirt any better.

Another of the sneaker trends of the season is the thick-soled running shoe. The kind that you grudgingly are persuaded to buy in Runners Need, after they tell you you run like a duck, or a small child. Edgy brands such as Vetements and Balenciaga have gone hard on this look and are offering chunky, wide-vamped sneakers that, despite being instant sell-outs, probably won’t do for your regular smart-casual office situation. Common Projects’ Track Runner sneakers offer a more refined take on it all, with their Air-Max-like shape and subtle white-grey colour palette. Wear them with an equally understated pair of chinos from Officine Generale, preferably with a single, 2in turn-up.

The Chelsea boot is something of a wonder shoe, just as wearable with jeans as it is with (the right choice of) tailored trousers or chinos. Common Projects’ take on the archetype simplifies things further, offering a nice wide band of elastic at the ankle and a heel tab, both of which facilitate incredibly easy slipping on and kicking off. We particularly like the current incarnation of the model, which comes in a brushed olive suede. The slightly worn-in look makes them a perfect companion for some slim-cut jeans.

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