The Definitive SUMMER LUXURY SNEAKER Shopping Guide

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Photography:
Chris Callaway

As spring gives way to summer and temperatures around the country begin to climb slowly but surely, it’s time to take stock of your footwear rotation and ensure it’s up to date with what’s moving in this fast-paced world. The gradual melding of sneakers and luxury that’s been occurring over the last few years is now complete, with the streets and the runway having become one and the same. You can — and should — keep it luxurious this season. Thankfully, all that calls for is some great shoes.

This summer, that fusion of worlds is best encapsulated by a trio of categories. From Kanye West’s adidas Yeezy line, one of the first comprehensive partnerships to boldly add sneakers into the high-end lexicon, to emerging designers from locales as far-flung as LA to New York and London, plus core skate footwear that’s been altered by prestigious houses, there’s something for everyone here. We’ve carefully curated a selection of shoes that fall into this triumphant trio of categories — all of which are available now on eBay, where you can unearth whatever you may need for your solstice wardrobe.

We’ve seen a growing trend of footwear collaborations with the up-and-coming designers of the world, and we’re glad it’s not stopping. Labels like Fear Of God really splashed into the sneaker scene with their thorough basketball-themed capsule with Nike, while NYC born-and-bred Teddy Santis of Aimé Leon Dore has gone on to execute needle-moving drops that have set the table for follow-up projects. Even Kiko Kostadinov is flipping performance-ready ASICS models into must-have pieces for sartorialists.

Nike Air Fear Of God 1 Raid Jerry Lorenzo

There’s no brand like Vans when it comes to the diversity collaborative partners. Their immutable momentum within the world of luxury has produced some notable releases over the years; the tributary collection to fashion great Karl Lagerfeld comes to mind due to his unfortunate passing, an attractive all-over-print by Comme des Garçons CDG brought some street to the Japanese label, and the ushering in of Jean Paul Gaultier thanks to long-time cohort Supreme certainly raised the stakes.

Era Pro by Supreme and Jean Paul Gaultier

As one of the most popular and coveted sneakers on the market, the Yeezy Boost 350 v2 truly needs no introduction at this point. However, this impressive trio of colorways had footwear fashionistas talking as these three earth-toned hues were dropped all in one month, with each releasing in select regions across the globe. True Yeezy fans couldn’t settle for less than the entire set.