Coloured Stripes | Menswear 2016 Trend

We spotted stripes everywhere at the Resort collections, and it doesn’t look like they are going anywhere any time soon. The fun is no longer just for the girls, with this huge trend also popping up in the menswear collections.

Appearing in a variety of guises from French riviera blue and red stripes at Topman and Marc Jacobs, to the more kooky neon styles at Opening Ceremony and Moschino, stripes have proven they are suitable for almost every occasion.

Play by day in multi-coloured and clashing striped hooded tracksuits and bomber jackets then dress up for night with a striped gradient jacket as seen at Jonathan Saunders.

There is no limit to the number of stripes either, with some designers opting for one individual piece paired with basics, while others went all out and layered strips on stripes, particularly with the shirt and scarf combination. Contrary to the fashion rules that were drilled into us as children, the trick here is to clash with thick and thin stripes and contrasting colours.

Khaki, mustards, lemon, acid green and classic powder reds and blues ruled the runways, adding a masculine and earthy spin on the season’s stripes. From cool to chic casual, the menswear collections have given us plenty of reasons to stripe up this season.

GET THE LOOK

NAVY BRETON STRIPE MID LENGTH SWIM SHORTS

BLUE AND GREY STRIPE SCARF

NAVY STARS AND STRIPES SCARF

RODARTE BRINGS A DARK WOODLAND ROMANCE TO THE RUNWAY FOR FALL

A look from the Rodarte fall 2016 collection. Photo: Imaxtree

Without a doubt, the most popular topic of discussion among both designers and attendees at New York Fashion Week is the "see now, buy now" conundrum: Should the collections be geared primarily toward consumers and instantly shoppable once they debut on the runway? This has predictably led to many shows that are heavy on salability and lacking in memorability. Thankfully, we can always count on Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte to provide some magic, and their darkly romantic fall show transported us into a fairyland for a few much-needed moments on Tuesday afternoon.

The runway, littered with pink, red and white neon lights, doubled as a gravel garden, with flowers in complementing shades scattered about. As the models emerged, many wore fresh blooms in their hair (and in some cases, as delicate earrings, upper-arm bracelets or necklaces) further feeding into the woodland nymph vibe. Though elements of the collection felt heavy — lots of patchworked, ruffled leather, multicolored goat fur coats, belt-like chokers and elbow-length gloves — the eveningwear peppered throughout was positively dreamy. 

A number of lace dresses were hand-beaded with intricate floral and geometric patterns that sparkled under the lights, while others were adorned with Rodarte's signature ruffles or rose petal appliqués. A pair of them, one black and one white, were styled with veils, and the models wearing them stood still on display while the rest of the collection walked. The color palette consisted of mostly neutral tones with some dusty pink and burgundy mixed in, and each girl sported a dark berry lip, lending even the most ethereal looks a bit of witchy toughness.

The finale gowns that closed the show were, in my opinion, the loveliest of the bunch, and I'm hoping that they'll make a red carpet appearance before awards season closes — perhaps on Kirsten Dunst or Jennifer Jason Leigh, who were both seated in the front row.

How to Take Care of your Leather Shoes this Rainy Season

It is raining in Limuru! Raining hard in the last two weeks. Bet it is also raining where you are. The streets, the grass, the pavements are wet, and our shoes are undergoing a war of sorts-keeping your feet comfortable and warm, while withstanding the elements being thrown at them.

But, are you returning the favour? Are we taking care of our shoes as they do, our feet? Or, at the end of the season, will we see leather shoes like this:

Leather footwear can manage tens of thousands of flexes. A persistently wet and dried shoe will only last a fraction of these uses.

Leather is nothing but animal skin which is made up of fat and proteins can only retain a set amount of moisture after being cured and tanned. The fibers that criss-cross each other in the hide, give leather its unique strength, but are also very susceptible to drying out and cracking if not treated with care.

Water can and will destroy the suppleness of your shoe’s leather. Water warps the shape of the shoe in an undesirable way. And water cracks your shoes.

Here are some tips on keeping your leather in tip-top condition in this weather:

• Never wear your new shoes in the rain until they have been worn about 3 or 4 times. They need to be broken in slowly, rather than taken straight into the war front 
• If your shoes do get wet, put newspaper. Let them dry at room temperature for at least 48 hours before you wear them again. Wick off the water right away or use a dry rag or towel if available to wipe off the water. Pull the moisture from the inside of the shoe. This can be done with newspaper or a small dry towel. The key is to draw the moisture out, so every hour or so replace the moist paper with dry paper. Depending on the extent of the soaking, this could take from two hours to two days.Wet sole leather will wear out twice as quickly as dry sole leather.
• If you are walking through wet surfaces, it is really important you treat your leather with care immediately you reach your destination. A simple, brisk wipe off will suffice.
• If you live in salty areas like Mombasa, have you noticed your leather shoes get a whitish stain? That’s salt, and it is hard to remove. Wiping your shoes off immediately you get inside will prevent this.
• Despite what you might think, leaving your shoes next to a heat source only makes the problem worse. Let them dry slowly at room temperature. If you heat them you will cause the moisture to leave too quickly and greatly increase the chance of the leather cracking. Cracked leather cannot be repaired.
• Wipe down your leather shoes after walking through the slush!
• Polish your shoes regularly. Polish them with plenty of polish and allow them to sit with the polish on as long as possible. Ideally let the polish stay on overnight. Make sure you get plenty of polish into the welt and the crack between the upper and the sole.
• Conditioning and polishing the leather will help keep your shoes in tip-top shape and ready for whatever you throw at it. Think of it like moisturizing your skin after showering. If you don’t moisturize, you dry out, skin gets rough and cracked, etc. Your leather shoes work the same way.

Rainy Weather bonus

Wear good shoes – Be sure your shoes/boots are not only suitable for what you are doing, but also for the conditions you will or could encounter. Choose styles which are warm, breathable, and are waterproof.

Layer appropriately – Don’t assume that wearing extra socks will keep your feet warmer. Layering socks can be too much of a good thing, especially if you tend to have sweaty feet. Over layering your socks can cause your feet to overheat and sweat, which means you now have a wet sock, which can actually end up making your feet colder..and smellier.

- See more at: http://blog.batakenya.com/page/2/#sthash.lzQEErxl.dpuf

Saucony Kinvara 7 Review

Saucony Kinvara 7 General Info

Saucony Kinvara 7 – Medial Side

The $110 Kinvara 7 weighs in at 6.6oz for women (size 8) and 7.7oz for men (size 9) with 4mm heel-to-toe differential (18mm forefoot, 22mm heel.

The fit of version 7 remains unchanged from version 6 with an adequate, but not particularly wide toe box, and a snug midfoot feel. This version runs true to size.

The Kinvara 7 was tested on paved roads and groomed gravel trails. It performed well on long runs, quick tempos, and everything in between.

While several substantial changes in the shoe’s technology have been made, the general character of version 7 remains true to the Kinvara experience.

Saucony Kinvara 7 Sole Unit

Saucony Kinvara 7 – Sole

Although the placement pattern has changed slightly, the Kinvara 7 continues to employ injection blown rubber in strategic zones on the sole in order to keep the weight of the shoe down while providing optimal durability and protection in areas where the highest ground contact occurs.

Strategic placement of injection blown rubber under the forefoot and along the lateral arch in the TRI-FLEX configuration provides traction and durability while distributing shock more evenly across the sole.

Saucony has replaced the PowerGrid EVA+ foam platform with resilient EverRun SSL that is significantly more dense and more firm than previous models.

EverRun is intended to maintain its integrity longer than standard EVA foam; and with its introduction, I expect version 7 to be the most durable Kinvara to date.

These changes have undoubtedly impacted the ride of the shoe. On my first run in the Kinvara 7, I felt a noticeable difference in the softness of the ride.

While the Kinvara 6 and earlier versions boasted a soft, luxurious ride, the Kinvara 7 is much more firm. The shoe feels as if the stack height is higher than in version 6, but it is exactly the same.

I attribute this feeling to the firmness. The Kinvara 7 is much less forgiving than the 6.

My first few runs in this shoe on the road felt quite stiff underfoot I could audibly hear my foot slap the pavement; a phenomenon I never experienced in the 6. Unlike the 6, the 7 requires a few miles of break-in before it starts to feel natural underfoot.

Saucony Kinvara 7 Upper Info

Saucony Kinvara 7 – Top

The upper of the Kinvara 7 carries over the two predominant technical features of version 6: FlexFilm and the Pro-Lock lacing system.

The FlexFilm overlays are melded to the upper of the shoe to eliminate seams. Flex Film stiffens the upper, but retains enough flexibility to be comfortable.

I have to admit, I was disappointed to see the Pro-Lock lacing system reappear in this version because I find it unnecessary and even constrictive.

The first time I wore the Kinvara 6 I had to stop 30 minutes into the run to loosen the laces and Pro-Lock pieces, which sit underneath the main upper unit, but on top of the tongue, because my foot had gone numb.

After experiencing this discomfort with version 6, I knew to keep the middle laces loose and thus avoided those problems with version 7. The upper of the Kinvara is snug as it is, and so the Pro-Lock lacing is unneeded.

However, this technical component persists, so for runners with a lower arch or wider foot, the overly-tight Pro-Lock system could cause significant discomfort.

Despite this issue, the toe-box of the Kinvara 7 was adequate as in previous models.The heel counter is soft and forgiving where it makes contact against the Achilles.

Brooks Launch 3 Review

Brooks Launch 3 General Info

Brooks Launch 3 – Top

When I first pulled these shoes out of the box I was impressed by the color scheme and design. The Launch 3 has a cool look.

This latest edition comes with an all new 3D print seamless upper which not only looks great but most importantly enhances the fit and the comfort. This was noticeable the first time I slipped them on.

With a low 7.9 oz weight and 10mm drop the Launch 3 gives a smoother and quicker feel than a standard Brooks trainer such as the Ghost, a shoe I wear regularly.

The forefoot and midfoot have been designed to optimize energy return while providing a cushiony feel.

Brooks Launch 3 Sole Unit

Brooks Launch 3 – Sole

The sole of the Launch uses Brooks’ innovative BioMoGo DNA midsole.

Common among Brooks trainers, Brooks DNA uniquely offers cushioning that can adapt to the specific force placed on it, thus tailoring to each runner and his or her unique needs.

Combined with the BioMoGo midsole, you get this adaptive cushioning throughout the midsole versus just in the heel and forefoot. Runners will enjoy the smooth and soft ride these shoes provide.

The Launch 3 is unchanged in weight and drop from its predecessor, delivering a lightweight shoe at 7.9oz and a 10mm drop.

The sole uses technology specifically designed to provide higher energy return and smoother heel to toe transitions. That’s where I found this shoe stands apart from daily trainers.

You get ample cushioning along with a faster feeling ride. This particular model was updated with a new rubber outsole in the forefoot to provide for a more springy toe-off.

Also using a segmented crash pad for the midsole, the independent yet integrated shock absorbers work together to customize your foot’s lay down for just the right amount of cushion and seamless heel to toe transitions.

These shoes give ample cushioning coupled with quick, smooth transitions. They can handle both fast paced runs and longer high mileage training.

You get a responsive ride out of the Launch 3. While they feel fast most of the time, I did not enjoy these shoes on the track. The return they provided felt slow and cumbersome.

Brooks Launch 3 Upper Info

The Launch 3 was completely redesigned with a seamless and 3D printed upper for enhanced fit and comfort. This shoe feels great on your feet.

With a normal width foot, the shoe ran true to size. It hugs your foot providing a secure and snug feel, not too tight or too loose.

My complaint with Brooks Ghost model in the past has been a toe box which is too wide where your foot moves around too much. This is not an issue for the Launch 3.

The tongue of the shoe is also very soft and padded and was quite comfortable on the top of my foot and remained that way during runs.

The breathability of the Launch 3 is outstanding. Designed with a no sew mesh upperthis shoe leaves you cool and dry while providing a premium fit.

And for added bonus, this shoe has a great look. This model has 3 color schemes to pick from all offering a look different from other trainers.

Brooks Launch 3 Conclusions

CROCKETT & JONES AT PITTI UOMO 89

Okay well I am about to commence my posts on what I saw at Pitti now that the sale is coming to a close and things are somewhat quieting down. So get ready for about 10 posts on that. I also wanted to reflect on 2015 which will be a long, dramatic post so also stay tuned for that if you want to hear the nitty gritty.

First up is Crockett & Jones who had some interesting things to say and see. The most interesting of news is the fact that they are implementing hand burnishing on a production level for their handgrade line as you can see here by all of the darkened toes and depth of coloring through the body.  They told me that they wanted to attempt the Italian way and see how people react to them. I thought that it looked quite nice and people do tend to like this type of stuff so I think that it will go well for them. And as it is hand burnishing (as opposed to heat burnishing) it is not as strong looking and will eventually fade away if someone is not too keen on it. It’s a win win really.

Also in the line up were new colorways in existing models. The ones highlighted were the ones that I was particularly fond of, like the navy colored oxfords and the grained loafers in green (which were mind-blowing cool!).

I am sure you will all be excited to see these things in store, so stay tuned this S/S and A/W as these new products get launched.

GET FASHIONABLE WITH UGLY SHOES

When the top designers were sending Birkenstock inspired shoes down the runway for about two seasons, you know it’s the time for the “ugly” shoes to be “it” shoes.
These “mandal” shoes, men’s inspired sandals with chunky leather straps, buckles and thick soles, are far from feminine, but it doesn’t matter for the fashion editors, as mandals end up on top of their wishlists of this summer.
“When my husband sees them, he says I’m lucky that we’re already married, but honestly I think it’s so much more sexy to be slightly underdressed, like you’re not trying too hard.” says Vogue Associate Accessories Editor Jorden Bickham.

Elastic  leather sandals $99 at CHIKO Shoes

“They are probably out-selling high heels,” says Topshop buying director, Maddy Evans: “There is such an appetite.” It’s an appetite for comfort in this trend. These shoes are not the men’s favorite for women, but they do offer a lot of comfort, especially needed after walking around in those towering high heels of previous seasons.

The structure of these ugly sandals are very simple: Wide leather strap upper, Velcro closure, paired with orthopedic-like thick soles or molded sporty soles. They are ugly and chunky, but they look pretty cool with ladylike dresses or tailored pants. A fresh pedicure is a must with these shoes.

Leather strap sandals $129 from CHIKO Shoes

Horse hair Espadrille flats $129 at CHIKO Shoes

SHOE TREND ALERT 2016 – CHUNKY HEELS! BEST OF PRE-FALL 2016

If you start missing the high heels after bombarded with normcore “ugly” shoe trend reports, our advice is to trade a pair of birkenstock with some amazing straight high chunky heels for coming spring.
High chunky heels are everywhere on the runway of fashion week Spring Summer 2015. From Gucci suede boots, Dolce & Gabbana exquisite embroidery pumps, Emilio Pucci stacked chunky heel sandals, Prada platform clogs to Max Mara white polished chunky heel sandals, it’s hard to ignore the chunky heels are in trend. And it’s thriving more than ever in 2015 Pre Fall Collections of all the premium shoe designers.
The most amazing chunky heel designs we have seen so far are the shoes on the runway of Dior Haute Couture Spring 2015. With a fun twist, Dior designer constructed the boots on the heels which are actually made of four metal pins welded to a plate on top and the other one at the bottom, demonstrating a simple silhouette in line with the key minimalist of a straight chunky heel, couture crafted.

Chunky-heeled shoes are comfortable and elongate your legs, perfect match for almost any outfit from pants, jeans, dress to short skirts, an easy choice for taking you through the day into night, while boosting your confidence with sophistication.

Click through following gallery to see some of the best chunky heel shoe designs from premium designers’ 2015 Pre Fall collections: