Whether you call them plimsoles, or retro sneakers, or whatever, the Converse-a-like basic canvas footwear market is rammed. However, as a reader of this site, I’m gonna assume a certain level of personal exactitude when it comes to such matters. I’m gonna assume you’re a dick like me. Being severe there are only so many brands that qualify as wearable to a serious gentleman of the cloth. Normcore heads go with the ‘perceived’ anonymity of Vans and Converse, while Dumblebores of the health-goth scene only roll with Rick Owens and Raf. The more discerning seek out the unknown.
This range by UK newcomers Good News is released in February. Brilliant women’s flat shoe virtuosos En Brogue were all over these yesterday, I clocked them this morning on London Fashion Week Men’s showrooms list.
The range has a 70’s US sports culture vibe and this is carried through to the individual style names (‘Dinger’, ’Hurler’, ’Babe etc…) which have something to do with American Rounders apparently. I just like the big-ass sole – elevated towards the back and riven with chunky grooves. I’d keep it simple with the white or navy models.
My only concern is the anticipated price points. At a rumoured £50 for the lows and £60 for the highs, frankly I worry they’re not expensive enough. Sounds like a staple of the ‘diseased trends life support system’ that is Urban Outfitters. Hope I’m wrong.
Thanks for the kind words – nice to meet you! And yes, this brand is SO GOOD.
Gotta say, though I’m not a fan of your regular converse, I do really like the 70’s editions for my ‘simple shoe’. The build quality, improved shape and sheer weight of them makes them a totally different animal for me. Like yourself im always looking for lesser spotted alternatives to score some oneupmanship points. However novestas and shoes like pottery etc all feel a little lightweight and flimsy to me. Butteros on the other hand have an even more substantial feel than the 70’s, but breaking them in is a uniquely painful experience. Needless to say, common projects can massively fuck off and zespa are way too similar. The worry with a lot of the rarer finds is that they all tend to look a bit like buddys or wooyoungmis, meaning they could easily be mistaken for clae or pointer. I mean, can you imagine?
Hahah… You are clearly a man who understands the nuance around the basic canvas plimsole