CITYist

Here at CITYist we are not big fans of flip flops in the city. We realize it’s comfortable and easy for guys but it’s time for a change. Espadrilles are the ideal footwear of choice for the summer. They are super lightweight, breathable and easy to wear, they avoid every issue you run into with a pair of flip flops. Let your feet breathe this summer and check out our favorite men’s espadrilles.

CITYist, your favorite classic sneaker is now available in leather. The Keds for Jeffrey duo has designed patent leather style Keds this autumn. Available only at Jeffrey New York, Atlanta and Fred Segal Feet LA, the sneakers come in black, white, red and navy, and retail at only $110 a pair. Wear them with your favorite pair of Sunday jeans and you’re good to go.

These days, $50 doesn’t seem to get us much, but designer Chris Stamp has changed that with his brand new sneaker line, Study Footwear. Stamp created the unisex line to create a charity where the proceeds will go into creating school supplies for children in lower income areas. The designer is a sure-fire positive influence, going from classroom to classroom to motivate study habits in students as well as discuss the arts and how they’ve inspired his own life. The footwear is unique in itself with the various cheerful prints and simple design. We might just have to grab more than a pair with the downright reasonable price and charitableness of the brand.

The latest in the Keds’ collaborations are the “French Edition” pairs for Opening Ceremony. The kicks feature two quintessentially French patterns, the sailor boat stripe and the landscape-strewn “Toile de Jouy,” updated with playful twists. The wide-striped navy and cream boat shoe features bright red laces, while artist Richard Saja took an unconventional approach with the other pattern, the Marie Antoinette-esque 1700s print generally reserved for pillows and curtains.

When your former business was something called the Subterranean Shoe Room, we’d imagine you’ve have some insight into what people like to put on their feet. Austin-based coffee roaster Joshua Bingaman figured that as well, which is why he founded Helm, a brand of unisex boots and shoes with all the flair and none of the discomfort. The collection is truly a global effort, designed in Austin and handmade in Istanbul with leather from the Netherlands and Australia and soles from Italy and France.

It’s no secret that we’re excited for the fall—with all the nail polish, makeup and accessories (Fernando Akasaka’s collection screams Halloween) appearing in preparation of the season, how could we not be? Now we’d also like to direct your attention to TOPSHOP’s latest LEXI heel ($145), a scalloped suede sandal whose platform block heel takes us back to the 70s. Available in black, red and blush (a purple-champagne fusion), these retro suede shoes with metallic detail offer the perfect transition from outdoor patio to indoor dance floor.

Keds has just released the newest addition to its Century line, the men’s “Call of Duty” shoe. Inspired by 1940s military sneakers, they come in muted olive, gray and a deep charcoal with leather laces. Retailing for $55, the canvas Keds will be available exclusively on the brand’s site. The subdued design of the shoe reflects a period of mobilization and patriotism for the war effort (they’ll certainly go well with the utilitarian, militaristic looks from the Spring runways). Who knew sneakers could lead to a history lesson?

To celebrate its collaboration with The Whitney Museum, Keds has released a a conceptual sneaker from artist Jenny Holzer. Keds has gone all sorts of collab-crazy in the past few months, with limited-editions of the plain Jane slip on from Alice + Olivia and an ever-continuing “Centuries” line that’s been cycling through the decades. The Jenny Holzer shoe, featuring the words “Protect me from what I want” (a comment on consumerism, perhaps?), aligns with Keds’ sponsorship of The Whitney exhibit Christian Marclay: Festival, as well as a summer concert line on Fridays highlighting experimental music. Throw on these avant garde kicks, and you’re sure to fit in with the prog rock scene.

Lately we’ve been talking about shoes, shoes and more shoes—but when it rains, it pours. And there’s been some especially noteworthy creations as of late, such as this Pierre Hardy for Gap line, which launches in stores on Monday. In the summer, you can never have enough wedges—which offer the height without the discomfort and can easily go from day to night. Ranging from $65 to $110, these breezy designs come in khakis and denims—providing your summer footwear a boost and your pockets some relief.

Boots are one of the greatest perks of fall—when you get to armor up and face the elements in bold designs that ooze carefree tomboy confidence. This spring, designers have decided that an increase in temperature doesn’t have to mean a decrease in style. Whether through cooler colors like creams and whites or greater openings that allow your feet to breath, Rag & Bone, Alexander Wang and LD Tuttle have ingeniously incorporated the boot into the summer wardrobe with boot-inspired sandals and heels as well as classic takes.

With all the options available on the internet—from flash to simply embedding videos—it’s rather surprising that more designers haven’t taken steps to present their products more creatively. Rachel Comey’s new men’s footwear line, however, does just that. Shunning static images in place of short vignettes showing the shoes in actual settings, moving on actual human feet, it’s an interesting way for consumers to ponder their purchase and see the coveted object in action.

Formerly restricted to milkmaids, the Dutch and the annals of the 90s, clogs have suddenly reappeared on the spring runways. And when the Olsens start wearing something, you know it’s about to go mainstream. Take a peek at our clog selections—Chanel, Stuart Weitzman and Miu Miu, to name a few—after the jump.

Thakoon, king of the floral art print, tapped shoe genius Giuseppe Zannotti to provide the footwear for his spring collection. The result of their partnership, a set of shoes alternately strappy, thick and printed, is the cream of the crop in terms of the tribal trend—which seems to pop up every year any way. But this time, Zanotti has a fresh take on beating the tribal drum.

Great news for money-strapped hipsters: Creative Recreation has launched a stylish yet affordable line of sneakers for both men and women—and their target is you, the thrifty urbanite.

It’s starting to feel like a bona fide 50s come back with all the saddle shoes cropping up these days—from the pages of Vogue to Aldo ads. But with all the variations available, from metallics and distinct color combinations to updated shapes, this certainly isn’t Pleasantville. Bass shoes is the latest to take on the trend, and the result, a heeled, two-toned feminine creation, is sure to grace the feet of many a hipster with a vintage fetish.

Canadian footwear designer John Fluevog places a priority on quality—but isn’t afraid to let his freak flag fly. Similarly, Vancouver and Montreal-based OPUS Hotels make it their job to sit on the precipice between sophistication and quirk. Now the two have teamed up to create the exclusive Porter Shoe—a classic oxford with, naturally, a splash of flamingo pink.

Jimmy Choo, known for high-end heels and handbags, is now introducing their first collection of trainers into their fabulous company. Never before has the brand sold sneakers. The sneakers come in high-top and low-top styles and are as stylish as the brand’s high heels. The Pre-Fall 2010 Collection of trainers is made from patent leather, suede and snakeskin.

Maison Martin Margiela is known for minimalism with a dash of grunge. So it’s no surprise that its new, limited-edition “Replica” sneakers exclusively for Barneys follow that formula precisely. First, the Belgian brand found its inspiration: in this case 1970s GATs (German Army Trainers) worn by West German soldiers and originally hailing from Austria. The classic sports shoes were then reproduced as faithfully as possible, fashioned from lambskin and calf split and fixed with a label explaining their historical origin and time period. The MMM twist comes in with the color, however. Splashed Jackson Pollock-style with red, gray, blue or black paint, the “Replica” trainers are as effortlessly cool as they are quality. Retailing at $435, these puppies aren’t cheap—but then again, the truly covetable items never are.

Kris Van Assche, one of my favorite designers (not to mention past CITYist), may have outdone himself with his Spring 2010 accessories and footwear collection. The standout sneaks feature stunning asymmetric laces snaking up the side of their high top profile. The collection, naturally in his signature monochromatic palette, pairs brilliantly with minimalist pieces already in your closet and give your look that little extra edge!