Our Spot Birthday Sale
It’s getting warm down under so we need to rescue some of those extra warm Nom de Guerre pieces. If you live in New Zealand, it might be a great chance to snag a piece you’ve been eyeing also. Our Spot is having their 6th birthday and celebrating with their customers by taking 20% of selected items by Common Projects, Nom de Guerre, APC, CDG and Rittenhouse, all great stuff. Sales are pretty great and there hasn’t been much of a lack of them in the past year which is also great. There is nothing like feeling like you got a good deal and really good value. From this photo it looks like the NDG high neck regulation as well as the Common Projects low top court shoes might be apart of the sale, two of my favorite items I own. Check out the web-store here.
Want: Common Projects Brown Officer Shoes
It’s probably not surprising, but I do want them. I have since I saw them back in August, but some items need a few months to marinate in your brain, pop up here and there and make you wonder if you really do want them, until you know unmistakably that you do. The Common Projects officer shoes are really nice looking, in photos and in person. The leather looks like it’s about to break in before you even put them on. I personally love the worn leather look far better than something stiff, it improves the wear-ability for me and just gives a better aesthetic in general. While I haven’t seen the brown leather officer shoes since I did at Den, I’ve seen the black ankle boots and brown high top officers. I really want low top brown leather shoes. Of course some Allen Edmond’s are on the purchase list, but these CP’s are making a subtle charge to the top of the list. I definitely would need to figure out some way of getting a better price and probably have to sell something I have, but that won’t stop me from wanting them. Anyone know where they’re available?
Common Projects Website
Common Projects always does a really nice job photographing the collection for their simple, yet effective website. When you have such a clean, well designed product, what better way is there to showcase it than with a nice slow flash slide show. The site is now playing through the full fall collection, almost, and it looks amazing. You can get a good idea what you’re missing out on if you haven’t picked up a pair yet. Although you won’t get to experience the comfort and everyday wear-ability until they’re on your feet. There is also an updated list of Common Projects ’stockists’ for the fall season so you can find one near you. I’ve been wearing my court shoes a lot this fall and I’m still really wanting a pair of the officer shoes in the low, ankle or high top. It’s a tough call and a tough check out with fairly step tag to pay for.
Common Projects High Tops
One of the most talked about models, although not my favorite, have arrived at Oki-ni in both the nylon and leather models. The training boots are fresh into the line this fall where I’ve hear a lot of people putting them onto their ‘robo cop’ list. I don’t know what it is about a high top sneaker that really isn’t speaking to me right now. I like high boots but I like my sneakers low, or at least mid. These browny/green Achilles mids on the other hand are right up my alley. I really like the hue, although a rather earthy tone, I could put some serious miles into them. There is also the B-Ball high in a dark grey suede which is looking pretty dope, again not something I’m going to buy this fall, but a nice piece of footwear nonetheless. I think if I had to pick one of the high tops, I would have to go with the leather training boots.
Common Projects Court Hi
The court shoe hi is one of the several new models Common Projects introduced this fall. The shoe is pretty much a perfect mid top sneaker. The subtle toe cap section with a thin lambskin leather and tonal mid sole make for the ideal piece of footwear. The court shoe is a better model than the original achilles in my opinion, the slightly more original silhouette and better fitting cut. It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Common Projects, but beautiful product shots like these make me love them even more. Getting a close look of the subtleties really makes me appreciate the understated design. The factory stamp might be one of the best forms of subdued external branding I’ve seen, combine with the fact CP makes at least 5 different models I really want to own, let alone colors. I also appreciate individualism in how people dress and don’t want everybody looking like me or somebody else, but like a pair of A.P.C. denim, I think Common Projects should be the staple sneaker in a man’s wardrobe. You might ya, but they are $300+. Just think of all the pointless crap you spend your money on, or pairs of Vans you’ve bought. Re-appropriate your funds.
Our Spot Online Shop
Our friends down in Australia now have their online shop up and running on the website. Our Spot was featured in our last issue as one of the leading retailers down under and now with their online shop, they are ready to take on the world. Our Spot pretty much have my ideal stock list and kicked off the online store with three of my favorite brands, A.P.C., Nom de Guerre and Common Projects. They actually received a nice looking motorcycle style Nom de Guerre jacket which we haven’t seen arrive anywhere else this fall. Otherwise they received a couple of my favorite pieces of the season with the Regulation Shetland knit and the Common Projects Court shoe low in black and white. At first glance the prices might look a bit high but you have to take into the favorable Aussie dollar and the face that tax is included. Browse and buy here.
Common Projects Officer Shoe
I find it really interesting to see how the different boutiques around the world did their buying of the Common Projects fall collection. As it’s quite extensive, buyers have to be pretty selective, and of course personal taste comes into the picture. There are a few shops that pretty much bought what I would, and one of them is Our Spot. Just in are the Officer Shoes in brown and black. The brown leather look grea to me, they look like the leather will crack nicely and have a great broken in look without too much time.
Common Projects Interview by Snkr Frkr
Sneaker Freaker recently caught up with our friend Peter from Common Projects for a little interview the progression of the line, the quest for the ‘perfect sneaker’, and the use of color. Common Projects is obviously a personal favorite of mine, as I seem to be wearing a pair 5 days a week and usually blogging about them just as much. At this moment in time, I would have to call them the perfect sneaker, if you’re willing to accept the shoes as such. Peter was one of the nicest guys we met in New York and was great to talk to about his line and fashion in general. It’s always fun meeting people who make some of your favorite products, so I guess Sneaker Freaker gives us a nice bit of insight into some of the ideas behind the line. As Peter mentioned, there is a lot more color in the spring line. it looks really good I think, a couple fresh new models and color used in the the right way.
Want: Brown Wingtip Shoes
This is a tough one. I’ve been a sneaker wearing guy for a long time. Although these days the sneakers are more refined, in the form of Common Projects, Visvim, or Sperry. Boots are an easy transition but when it comes to taking that step into a ‘dress shoe,’ it’s a different story for people with the sneaker background. I made it with the Common Projects laceless shoes and I love them, so I’m not too worried about actually rockin’ some wingtips. It’s just a bit hard to admit to myself that these are the shoes I want right now. Because on the other hand, I do want those new Jordan bred IV’s, even though I wouldn’t wear them. I would, and do wear nice boots and dress shoes, and I definitely feel like an actual man when I do, which is kind of nice. I know that some people will relate to this and some might not. Whatever way you look at it, with these brown wingtips, it’s man shoe time. These Allen-Edmonds joints are available here.
Common Projects @ Our Spot
Our Spot has one of my favorite stocklists, small, focused, and pretty much just what I like. Just in at the shop is the Common Projects fall line, which we previewed quite extensivly in our 4th issue. I decided to blog about these shoes again because it’s a new photo of my favorite pair. I picked these court shoe lows up at Den in the summer and I love them. They break in after a few good wears and could not be more comfortable now. These photo does a nice job of showing the soft, smooth leather which lines the inside and outside of the shoe. There aren’t too many spots to pick these up but Our Spot now has selected styles from the fall collection in store now. Look for their online shop to open early next month. You can also see and read more about Our Spot in our latest issue.
Common Projects Fall @ Blackbird
Between Blackbird and Nomad the majority of fall’s best offerings are out and blogged. Next up at Blackbird is the first shipment of Common Projects Fall line. You’ve already had an extensive look at the line in our last issue, but now you know where to get ‘em. Among the arrivals are two of my favorite models, the Officer ankle boot, and the court shoe in both black and white. I’ve been rocking my white court shoes religiously since I picked them up at Den. Those black ones are amazing in person. I highly recommend them to anyone who needs that perfect black sneaker. No surprise I love the line, they all look good. I probably wouldn’t pick up the red mids, but mostly because I’ve seen the red models in store for spring and they are pretty spicy. Blackbird is no stranger to selling online via email or phone so don’t let your pair get away. I know the feeling.
Damn it, Good look
Well this might get tidius but I NEED slacks! I’ve been casually looking for some slacks/dress pants lately, again without much luck. Then I go to The Sartorialist and this guy found the pants I’m looking for. It did reaffirm my belief that slacks can look really good dressed down and kept casual. However, now I want to track some down more than ever. They look great with the little roll, long sleeve button down, buttoned to the top, and lace less dress shoes, which I’m pretty sure are Common Projects. The only thing I can’t personally do is the fedora, but this guy makes it look good. I definitely think this is a great summer look, unfortunately the summer is almost over, so it will have to be revamped for the cooler months. The slacks are necessary, I’m thinking gray or blue. Any suggestions?
Boots I Like
It’s nearly boot season. On any given day in Canada it can be boot weather, but only a couple months before fall is in full swing, your feet will need full protection. I have a feeling a lot of ’stylish’ people are going to be on the boot tip in the next few months, so here’s a few models that I’m liking right now. There aren’t really any surprises on the list unfortunately. All classics, brands I regularly mention, styles I could wear all day long. I probably could have dug deeper to find something to wild out with but these five boots found me quickly. I went with the classic Redwing 875 that I own, Alden’s tweaked Indy model, A.P.C.’s fall military boot, Band of Outsiders’ Sperry boat boot, and the Common Projects officer boot. I am also a sucker for sneaker-style boots so I had to slip in a ringer with the Nike Baltoro. Sometimes you need to get live with some colors, the Baltoro is the boot for that. These are all available at their respective brand outlets as far as I know. See the rest after the link.
ErikSchedin.com
Michael from A Continuous Lean posted about Erik Schedin’s new online store the other day, and I loved the idea. It’s an extremely simple, well designed, interesting concept. Designer Erik Schedin started his online shop with three items, sneakers, eye glasses, and furniture wax. All fairly priced, sizes are definitely limited, except for in the furniture wax. One comment suggested that its a branding exercise which might be quite interesting. I think I like the idea because it really is so simple. I kind of wish I would have thought of it and done it, hell, I still might. Biting is just the highest form of flattery right? Whatever the case, the shoes are pretty fresh. Now you can choose between the Erik Schedin model, Common Projects, and Adidas Rob Lavers to cover your range of all white sneaks. I’d be interested to hear whether Erik actually makes any sales from the site.
Our Spot, Sydney
One of the finer boutiques down under has been highly unlooked. Our Spot in Sydney, Australia is one of the stand out boutiques I’ve come across online. They keep a tight stock list which includes some of my favorite lines, Nom de Guerre, A.P.C., Rittenhouse, and Common Projects. It’s nice to see a shop keeping the line count down and focusing on good buying. When you’re a small shop it’s easy to get bullied deep into lines you might not want to, or feel like you need to get some lines so you can get others. Today’s market is about specialty. Our Spot is focused on great quality, good looking clothing for men and women. They also have one of the nicer websites I’ve seen for a boutique. They regularly update with new product, seasonal look books, and relevant news. They just received a nice shipment from A.P.C. and Common Projects for this fall including my favorite pair of shoes right now, the Common Projects court shoe in white. Keep an eye out for an online store in the near future.
