White sneakers are often touted as the cornerstone of one’s footwear wardrobe; a steadfast staple amongst a sea of bold colourways and dramatic silhouettes. Now while we don’t completely disagree, we’d posit that the best essential sneakers for men are those that can stand to take the place of your other (non-sneaker) shoes when necessary. Put simply, sneakers that don’t scream “I’m a sneaker!”.
Founded in 2004 by designers Flavio Girolami and Peter Poopat, Common Projects debuted with the the Achilles Low sneaker, which quickly attained cult status for its minimalist aesthetic and impeccable construction. Common Projects primarily operates out of New York City, with production taking place in Italy; the latter quality contributing to their popularity. The genesis of the Achilles Low was Poopat and Girolami’s shared desire to find a pair of pared-back shoes that were comfortable to wear but wouldn’t sacrifice style; they challenged a luxury footwear factory in Italy to create such a shoe — apparently the first sneaker the factory had ever created — with the result being the Achilles Low.
Devoid of branding, save for ten gold embossed numbers on the heel denoting the shoe’s size, style, and colour, the Achilles Low is notable for its design restraint — particularly in a world where chunky dad shoes, contrasting overlays, and clashing colourways reign supreme. And while Common Projects originally launched the streamlined silhouette in white, the brand has since expanded to encompass a curated selection of neutral hues like olive green, brown, navy, slate grey, and black. We’d wager that these are even more versatile than the original hue.
The enduring appeal of the Common Projects Achilles Low lies in its ability to reconcile the aesthetics of a dress shoe with the comfort and practicality of a sneaker. Unlike a cookout staple like the Nike Air Monarch IV or the current streetwear favourite Adidas Sambas, the Achilles Low is designed for those who are more likely to reach for tailored trousers than cut off denim.
While the white iteration is an apt fit for casual wear, it still presents itself as a sneaker; albeit an elevated one. Bypass it and opt for a pair in black, grey, or light or dark brown (and ensure you select the colour-matched sole, too). While the Achilles Low won’t look out of place paired with denim or even joggers, its charm lies in its ability to sub in for loafers, derby shoes, or boots in business casual and even (some) semi-final occasions. While one’s judgement should be exercised with the latter dress code, there’s no reason those who favour suiting and slacks need to exclusively seal the deal with a Goodyear welt.
At a time when once-rigid dress codes have eased up (much like a pair of broken in Achilles Lows), the streamlined sneaker makes for the ideal way to bridge the gap between work and leisure; imbuing suiting with a certain irreverent attitude while adding a sense of gravitas to casual getups.
Words by Theo Rosen
