Created for long-distance training in the mid-'80s, the New Balance 475 features a chunky but low profile, mesh toe box, and suede uppers meant to go the distance in comfort and style. It's like a slightly thickened version of NB’s 574, which is something of a legend in its own right.

But like most New Balance shoes designed with sporty intentions in mind, JJJJound's NB 475 sneaker exists more as a style beacon than an athletic tool. And beacon is right — this shoe is shockingly loud, at least for JJJJound.

The function is still there of course but the focus is on JJJJound's loud colorway, a splashy yellow suede makeup.

There's also a black pair available, unsurprisingly, but the yellow shoe is the focus here.

JJJJound's New Balances are famously earth-toned at most, never flashier than when they're flash-reactive. Its PUMAs are all-black, its Crocs are all-white, and its adidas look like regular adidas even when they're handmade in Germany.

But this yellow New Balance is so good that it makes you wonder why yellow is a relatively rare shade for sneakers, and why JJJJound only rarely strays from its preferred monochromes.

The 475 ought to be available on New Balance's website in a wider range of colorways soon — or at least it would be, in a perfect world. It's nice that when JJJJound finally steps outside of its neutral-tone comfort zone, it really steps out.

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Usyk’s modeling gig isn’t a big deal just because Usyk is famous. Nearly every Stone Island campaign star is famous. No, Usyk is different because he grew up around Stoney the same way that a lot of Ukrainians grew up around Stoney. This campaign was his coming-home moment.

But to really get why Usyk matters to Stone Island, and vice versa, you have to understand the brand's appeal in Ukraine and, really, all of Eastern Europe.

There, Stone Island wasn’t something you just walked into stores to buy. I’m speaking from experience here. I grew up in Eastern Europe and spent a lot of time in Ukraine. As such, I grew up with a lot of Ukrainians. We'd dig through secondhand stores for stuff to resell.

Sometimes, you'd come across a piece of Stone Island mixed in with everything else imported from Italy and Northern Europe. It was a rare come-up worth treasuring. These stores were our gateway to Stone Island. When you’d spot that compass badge between piles of worn-out jeans and jackets, it was electrifying. It felt like striking gold. And sometimes it was so good, you had to keep it for yourself.

“I bought a Stone Island sweatshirt from a secondhand reseller when I was 11," says Vlad, a fellow secondhand buyer. "Wearing the badge was a stamp of approval on the streets." And that “stamp” wasn’t hype. It meant you’d done the work to find something most people couldn’t. Stone Island “was a gem everyone looked for,” adds Pavel, another reseller.

Stone Island’s link to okolofootball — football fandom — gave it an edge but in Ukraine it was especially defined by its scarcity. You didn’t just wear Stone Island, you earned it — as locals like Usyk would know.  Since most people couldn’t afford Stone Island, finding it secondhand made it feel doubly valuable. That process of uncovering Stone Island elevated it into this unattainable ideal that everyone craved.

“A friend of mine gifted me a sweatshirt for my 16th birthday because I was yapping about [how badly I wanted] something from Stone Island,” recalls Ilya, another childhood friend. That craving shaped people’s love of the brand. After all, you want want you (usually) can’t have.

This is exactly the world Usyk comes out of and that’s why his role in Stone Island’s Fall/Winter 2025 campaign hits differently.

Stone Island knew that, of course, because Stone Island knows that its brand is inextricable from the youth culture that’s informed its vitality across Europe and the UK. Its campaigns are packed with recognizable people like Paolo Maldini and Spike Lee who are, yes, famous, but also carry a real connection to the brand.

Usyk just happens to be both: a global name and someone who embodies a deep personal link. It's why you always see him wearing Stoney.

This connection was made particularly obvious last year when Usyk fought Daniel Dubois at Wembley last year, a fight that ended in a fifth-round TKO and secured his place as a three-time undisputed world champion. But before all that, he walked out to the ring in custom Stone Island.

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Few silhouettes have stayed as relevant as the Chuck Taylor. Decades in and Converse are still finding new ways to keep it fresh, and the All Star Flower Charm OX might be one of its most creative spin yet. 

The All Star Flower Charm OX is the Chuck you didn't know you needed. Rearrangeable flower-motif charms clip straight onto the laces, giving you full control over how the shoe looks on any given day. 

Going all out? Stack every charm. Feeling understated? One, off-centre, and job done. Either way, you're the only person in the room wearing that exact pair.

The glossy satin laces swap out the standard cotton ones for something a little softer and a lot more interesting, the kind of small detail that makes people ask where you got them. A light blue accent on the tongue label adds just enough colour to keep things lively, while the checkered insole is Converse quietly reminding you they've always had good taste.

If summer was a sneaker, this would be it. 

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Now we're being reminded of what happens when you mash the two together. Say hello to the rejuvenated SuperStan.

Originally released back in 2020, Tokyo-based sneaker boutique V.A. is bringing the hybrid back with their own spin, keeping the shell toe up front and the Superstar sole underfoot, but handing the rest of the upper over to the Stan Smith, patent leather finish, perforated Three Stripes branding and all.

The colorway splits cleanly down the middle: Superstar elements on the toe and midsole stay crisp white, while the Stan Smith portions flip to shiny black patent leather. A classic Stan Smith portrait logo lands on the tongue, and a SuperStan tag sits between the perforated Stripes on the lateral sides.

adidas brought the Superstar back into the spotlight this spring with a star-studded campaign featuring the likes of Kendall Jenner, JENNIE, and more, leaving the fate of the Stan Smith up in the air.

V.A.'s take slots in as one of the more inventive entries yet, and undoubtedly the most compelling argument for why the Stan Smith deserves a seat at the table too.

It's worth noting the V.A. SuperStan will land in Japan first, but don't sweat it. With a mash-up this wild, a release stateside feels like a matter of when, not if.

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From suede loafers to glossy Vibram-soled brogues, the evidence is all there: a little alteration can go a long way to reinventing a silhouette. The latest in the long line of updated designs comes in the form of a Chanel-coded quilted Vans Slip-On in bold pink (not to be mistaken for its tweed-like, equally Coco-esque family member).

In the realm of handbags, few houses can rival the cultural cache of Chanel. Since the early 20th century, the legendary luxury house has dominated the luxury accessories market with one of the most enduring designs ever: the Chanel Classic Flap Bag which first appeared in 1955.

Since then, not a whole lot about the design has changed. The understated flap construction is delivered in buttery, premium quilted leather. The clasp has changed to become the CC lock, and the price might have altered slightly, but the sophisticated character of the icon remains the same.

And while the Chanel Classic Flap Bag influenced an entire generation of accessories designers, we never expected to find its mark on the Vans Slip-On.

The classic laceless Vans model looks bold and luxe in a premium leather finish complemented by quilted stitching throughout the upper. Nothing changes in terms of construction: still the same vulcanized sole unit and Sola Foam ADC insole for cushioning.

While the external leather might take a striking pink stance, the leather internal lining keeps things old-school with a subtle brown hue, nodding the the closer focus on quality for this premium reboot.

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Nike's ACG Pegasus Trail takes everything runners have come to rely on from one of the most trusted names in running and points it firmly in the direction of the great outdoors. 

Same cushioned, responsive ride. Same trusted Pegasus fit. Just with enough grip to handle whatever the trail decides to throw at you. Literally and metaphorically speaking.

This edition comes loaded with more ReactX foam than ever before, meaning a higher stack height, better energy return, and a ride that feels just as responsive off-road as it does on the tarmac. 

The engineered mesh upper keeps things lightweight and breathable over the long haul, while a redesigned toe box and wider forefoot give your toes the wiggle room they need when the terrain gets technical.

That sagey green with the orange accents truly works on every level, fresh out of the box or caked in mud, it’s the kind of colourway that just gets better with wear. 

Road runner or trail convert, the ACG Pegasus Trail doesn't ask you to choose. It just asks you to show up.

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The BW Army Decon features a collapsible heel, allowing the shoe to be worn as a mule and a sneaker. What's more functional than that?

As it stands, adidas' BW Army shoe is a minimalist gem that stays true to its battlefield origins, with suede paneling at the front, a white leather base, and a sleek low profile. Of course, this is still an adidas sneaker, which means the Three Stripes placed all of this militant goodness atop a Samba-style outsole.  

Now, the actual army sneaker design has no true owner, but Maison Margiela does have somewhat of a monopoly on the GAT's cultural cache.

But from a historical (and accessibility) perspective, adidas has the upper hand. At least where tactical legacy is concerned.

German Army Trainers, as the name suggests, have roots in 1970s Germany, where the Three Stripes designed the slim shoe for the German army. Yes, the literal army. This isn't a replica — it's the real deal.

It wasn't until 2017 that adidas officially brought the shoe back, and in the almost 10 years since, adidas has blessed the sneaker world with all kinds of luxury iterations, like the waxed canvas BW Army and its crazy-glossy sister. And now the BW Army Decon, available on the adidas website for $120, is continuing this legacy with a mule-tastic twist.

When it comes to GATs, it's not about who did it first, it's about who did it right. But in this case, adidas might just be both.

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Currently, most toe-focused shoes are wild and wacky, like Vibram's Five Fingers toe shoes and Nike's own Air Rift tabi sneaker. 

But in the case of Nike's Marina flip-flop, the exposed toes only enhance the shoe's normalcy. It is a flip-flop, after all, toes are par for the course.

In fact, the only "strange" thing about this simple flip-flop is that Nike made it. Sure, the Swoosh knows sneakers, but what does Nike know about leather aquatic footwear? Well, apparently quite a lot. 

That is to say, the Marina flip-flop is crafted with the same attention to detail and style as the Swoosh's most luxe sneakers. The straps are made of smooth blue leather, and the underfoot is cushioned with sturdy foam that adds some extra comfort to the sleek sandal. 

Nike's Marina flip-flop, available on the Nike website for $32, joins a long line of slightly elevated flip-flops that have been reshaping existing perceptions of sandals altogether. From graphically sexy $1,200 ERL flip-flops to Vans' thrash-ready thongs, freaky lil flip-flops have been steadily elevating in steez and style. 

These aren't just the $1 bin flip-flops that are treated as all but disposable on family vacays to Boca Raton. No shade to the mall stores that deliver these plastic gems (Old Navy, you will always be clutch), but luxury flip-flops are taking it right now. Toes are running amok these days, and that's clearly by design.

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It’s pretty conclusive evidence that “quiet outdoors” is far from a new thing. It’s also a solid demonstration of Veilance’s lasting good taste, because we’re now onto the Spring/Summer 2026 season and there is once again a long GORE-TEX coat. The blazer? It’s still here, though shorter and made from Ondritex (a lightweight quick-drying fabric) to make it more spring-appropriate.

That's the thing about Veilance. Its core ideology may be unchanged but its look is evolving. Its palette now includes earthy green hues and purple pastels and its weatherproof tailoring is loosening up, becoming borderline baggy for the first time in nearly two decades. It's never looked better — or bigger.

It's not just looks, of course. Veilance's excellent womenswear line is releasing a flowing skirt also made from Ondritex alongside equally sculptural pleated pants and a loose A-line dress gently tailored so it’s only really fitted around the waist. These are built like proper trek gear, even featuring taped seams on the inner for weatherproofing, yet look like something from Phoebe Philo’s minimalist (and still much-loved) Celine. And everyone

But while one half of Veilance’s clothing hides its technical capabilities behind tasteful tailoring, the other half is plainly performance-oriented. However, it’s more beautiful than any typical hiker's uniform. 

Waterproof jackets like the Asset SL and Secant SL feel like evolutions of Arc’teryx staples like the Beta SL or Gamma hoodie, where small details like the concealed pocket zippers and slightly boxier fit amount to a refined final form. And that’s only helped by the lack of logos.

Arc’teryx likes to make sure its branding is prominently displayed, giving products the final sign off from a world-leading outdoor label, meanwhile Veilance — just like all good quiet fashion labels from The Row to Lady White co.— eschews logos entirely.

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The Pants Issue

As the old fashion adage goes, the style du jour can usually be boiled down to how big the pants are. Since skinnies never made the comeback we were threatened with, and since we've also luckily reversed-course from the ultra baggy silhouette, I deem this newsletter ripe for leg day.

Good pants have always been of paramount importance to the man's wardrobe specifically, and they always will be. However, the urgency and experimentalism in getting this category right for oneself has drastically increased among male shoppers over the years. Now that the times have endorsed far freer and more daring sartorial expression, men have begun to embrace apparel that not only goes beyond the banal — rather, the best brands excel at it. For pants, this means a move away from mere straight legs, slight bootcuts, or minimally tapered fits, great as they are.

Some guys have outright retired classic jeans as the default casual choice altogether in favor of becoming advocates for pleats and leathers and prints that enter everyday rotations, untethered from the shape and textile doctrines previously baked into how one used to get dressed. At a much higher rate and scale than before, the boys are putting as much thought and care into an idiosyncrasy of their garments — how these are worn, when and why — as the girls. And it's all adding to the meme-tier momentum at stake in declaring good pants as the newly anointed stars of an outfit.

When I was picking a few fashionable brains on the topic, barely (barrel-ly?) anything came up as often as Lemaire's notoriously twisted slacks. It’s still yet to be determined whether I was unknowingly fighting a recent bidding war with a co-worker over a particularly cheap pair of them on Vinted, but these pants have become an embodiment of the versatile, more-artful-than-ordinary pants that now live rent-free in many a menswear head (and closet). Their cotton composition is at once sturdy and breathable; their form subtly sculptural and impossibly flattering. They're season-less and appropriate for every imaginable occasion, whether in fully fledged suit mode or with just a white tee. They are the Our Legacy Camion boot of pants, if you will; there's a reason this model is so ubiquitous among certain crowds of people, hets included.

Worry not though, in case you can't be bothered to pay full retail or thrift-hunt for these, as the trickle-down effect has disseminated the Lemaire twisted slacks' characteristics across price points. For example, Uniqlo makes a far-better-than-decent version of ‘em at a tenth of the cost, in a wrinkle-free fabric blend (or chino or sweat). Generally, Japan proves exceptionally competent in the pants department. Everybody needs column-like tailoring such as Ssstein's, as well as trousers that deliver evening elegance at pajama-grade comfort, courtesy of either Auralee or Engineered Garments’ collaboration with GU. And the boom of Japanese denim, such as Blue Blue's, really warrants a study of its own.

Meanwhile, in American denim, a Levi's 568 offers bagginess while retaining a sexy side profile that's easily styled up or down. And the Ross jean by The Row is the perfect middleground, at an admittedly not-so-middleground price — if you can even track them down, that is.

At the end of the day, the most important thing about great pants is that they fit you aesthetically and, well, literally. I need it to be known: Size does matter. There are few things worse than an ill-fitting pair of pants. They need to be snug in the right places and roomy in others; you'll want to avoid crazy crotch, frumpy rear, or high-water situations. Do: belts, fun and colorful ones at that. Don't: French tuck, inauthentic distress, or waistbands above belly button level. And finally, if even the lightest weight of year-round gabardine is too hot for you in summer, watch this space for when I tackle shorts: the “Hey Mama”-fication of them, the length spectrum between boxers and cropped flares, and the controversial return of their culotte sub-species. Which is to say: Pants may be more complex a subject than ever, but shorts are an entirely different beast. 

Open Tabs

• Since we're already debating traditional rites, why not cover SKIMS’ wedding line? Yes, you read that correctly: Kim Kardashian's loungewear brand is making satin undies, heart-speckled pajamas, and elegant lingerie for newlyweds.

• These soft-edged Jacques Marie Mage shades by Jeff Goldblum are coming to free us of those cursed micro frames we all thought we needed last summer. 

• Speaking of overdone trends, Acne Studios is moving on from its Y2K vibe of the past few seasons and re-embracing a cleaner Scandi look. As I'm eyeing the sheen-y pants and leather slacks, this shift is much appreciated. Not sure where or how these belted sandals fit in there, but I want them.

• Auralee made the chicest and simplest of blousons, in both dark wool and caramel calfskin, as well as a raincoat so bright and yellow you’ll actually want the weather to turn up bad every morning. 

• Underneath those final early spring outer layers, how about Aaron Levine's lovely half-zip fleece?

• The MM6 x Supreme collab sold out in seconds, so we checked resale: it’s relatively doable. The stained hoodie's a fave, the furry boxing gloves a pass… Or are they?

• Taken from what's a pretty mixed bag — or shopping cart, rather — Stüssy made a contrast-stitched moto jacket, a coffee maker set, and a canvas backpack we love. 

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