Why I say no to the Huarache Platinum

 

 

So there I am at 8am this morning, obsessively checking the Size? website for the much hyped Huarache Platinum release. Thanks to their unexplained delay, this continues throughout the morning and into the afternoon, hitting refresh like my life depended on it and ignoring the exam revision I had planned to dedicate my day to. Its about 2pm before their actual release and I'm straight on it within a minute of the tweet. Typically there are no small sizes, so I panic buy a UK8, resale value has gotta be good.

 

There seems to be a love/hate divide when it comes to Huaraches as well as the reoccurring 'jumping on the bandwagon'  issue and backlash, ever present with sneakers. Personally, I like them. They're not my favourite style ever but the platinum white, just like the triple black release, is very nice shoe. Especially for women.

 

So anyway, lack of small sizes results in me tweeting Size? as well as ringing up stores across the country like some desperate woman whose life revolves around Nikes. Turns out they might get another delivery tomorrow, so I consider sacrificing another morning.

 

It's only then that I get a chance to chill and check my phone. My Instagram feed is full of white huaraches, and Twitter, and Facebook. Everyone seems to want them or have them, with a fair few hating on them but still, it's publicity nevertheless. By now, I've seen the damn trainers so many times they've lost their appeal. I mean, white is on trend this season blah blah but really, this is all a bit excessive.

 

It got me thinking how a hot product, combined with a saturation of social media marketing can convince a nation that they all must have these shoes. There's clearly a correlation between the hype surrounding a product and how much I want it. However, this seems to reach a point, of maximum hype, where I'm put off completely. This isn't an anti-conformist thing; I haven't just decided to dislike them because everyone else likes them. It's more about the love of fashion, and individuality, and not wasting time, effort and money on something that everyone has seen a million times.

 

There's no doubt that they're the best colour-way in a while, but I prefer to see trainers I've never come across before. Whether they're old, exclusive, kids, custom or just not hyped that much. For me, this is far more interesting and impressive than the latest fad to hit the sneaker world, that Instagram told you to buy.

 

All Red Everything

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening Ceremony x Adidas

T by Alexander Wang

Supreme Perforated Camp Cap

Nike Air Force 1- Valentines Day (Old)

Supreme quilted sweater

Supreme joggers

Nike Air Max 90 Hyperfuse- Independence Day

 

I've been feeling red recently, and if the above are feeling it too, it's gonna be a winner for sure. I left the Red October Yeezys out cause we've all seen photos of them about a million times. I think the tricky thing with the colour is what to wear it with; black and you risk looking like a 13 year old in that awkward emo phase and white seems to be a bit too sports team apparel. However, the answer is now clearer than ever... more red.

 

We managed to pick up some red mesh and faux leather on a fabric shopping trip to London, I got some ideas of what to do with it so lets see if we can make this work.

Adidas Global

 

 

 

 

After a long winter of black on black on black, I was getting slightly worried I would never appreciate colour again... until I saw this. Whilst the world has been going crazy over Adidas' collabo with Topshop, a different project has caught my eye, Adidas x The Farm Company. The collection offers retro sporty styles, matching separates, tropical prints and some of that Brazilian flavour Farm are known for. Plus hella hot models.

 

I can't help but wonder if this is the year Adidas will do the impossible (impossible is nothing, right) and overtake Nike as the leading sportswear brand worldwide. In terms of marketing Adidas have been killing it for 2014. Fashion bloggers are loving it and they seem to have the UK music scene under control, achieved through their extensive sponsorship of grime and hip hop artists. Furthermore, Adidas signed up Kanye West straight after he was dropped from Nike for an Adidas Yeezy collection. There's no doubt that there's extreme competition between these two super-brands, but as long as they're both at the top of their game, I'm happy!

Takeover x True Times Tattoo

Takeover finally have a HQ, we're now selling a full collection of dope clothing on the ground floor of True Times Tattoo Club in Kettering. The shop has been open for a few months now, but I've been stuck in Manchester, pennyless and overworked by uni assessments, so today is the first time I've had the chance to check it out. Sales are going strong and hoodys are flying off the shelves within hours of posting them up so we're running pretty low on stock atm as you can see.

I've put together a few girls outfits below, featuring my favourite pieces in the shop mixed with a few of my own items.

If your local, then pop in and see us, check out the collection, get some ink, get a fresh hair cut from our in-house Barber and even play some pool. Get involved!



Air Max Day

March 26th is Air Max day, celebrating 27 years of the Air Max 1.

 

I've put together some of my favourite photos from over the years of mine and Lukas' Air Max. We got everything covered here including Air Max 1's, 90's, lights and Air Maxims from Men's, Women's and Kids collections with a couple of exclusives thrown in.

 

If you wanna keep up with our latest trainer purchases and more, be sure to follow us on Instagram @toukcrew



TOUKLIFE

 

 

 

 

 

I posted a month or so ago about my top 3 accessories for the often challenging transitional season, featuring our very own TOUK beanies. Anyway, they are now up and waiting for you to buy at www.toukcrew.co.uk in black, burgundy and grey at just £15. 

 

So a quick touch on the rest...

Nowadays, I can't help but pick outfits based on whatever I don't need to wear a bra with and this jersey is the epitome of comfort. At least I'm honest ey. To avoid looking completely like a girl in boys clothing (which is essentially the truth but whatever) I switched up my usual sneakers for these Asos platforms to balance out the look. Every night out I'm invited to my first question is always 'Is it a heels or trainers kinda thing?' and these shoes are my saviour if the answer is ever 'not sure'.



Fashion Bitch

So I'm always posting about things I love/want/need but this post is gonna go slightly different...cause everyone loves a good bitch. As a fashion student and people watching enthusiast, it's second nature for me to scan what people are wearing and question it.  For example, personally I find that judging a person by their shoes is highly accurate and perfectly acceptable.

 

So as much as it pains me to have unattractive photos on my blog, here are my least favourite items and trends for the season, which I am far from looking forward to seeing more of this summer!

 

1. New, ugly and cheap looking Nike Huarache colour ways

Girls sizes: Yes. Girly colours: No.

 

(NB these look even worse in real life)

 

2. The Chav-ification of American sports jerseys. My granddad lives in Michigan and I have plenty of authentic sports apparel from over the years, I'll tell you one thing, it doesn't look like this!

 

 

3. Skateboards becoming a fashion accessory to non-skaters. This is Selfridges right now... somehow skateboards have become 'cooler' than those who actually skate.

 

 

4. Short shorts with a awkward amount of ass. British girls take provocative dressing too far.

 

 

5. American Apparel leotards with an awkward amount of boob. Often worn with above shorts. Ew.

 

 

6. High street brands ripping off streetwear brands that are ripping of other streetwear brands

 

 

7. Sandals. Full stop. I guess this is just a personal thing but they look nasty and do not allow for running, climbing things or any other childish outdoor activities I still like.

 

 

8. Tiedye/Hype/Festival/Hipster vests. See Vice for further reading of associated culture.

 

 

9. The 'Kanye West' effect. Everything in moderation right, I'm all for a bit of leather or a slightly longer hem, but people take this way. too. far.

 

 

10. Irrelevant and pointless words on clothing. Needs no further explaining than the below.

 

 

Well that's enough hate for one post, these are my 10 worst current fashion fails. Agree? Disagree? I would be interested to see if these are true for other countries, or if it's just a British thing?