The Clean (but Not Too Clean) Sneakers That'll Transition Perfectly Into Fall
SHOP TEMPO BIANCO $248, koio.co
SHOP TEMPO NERO $248, koio.co
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There is, perhaps, no sneaker better suited to summer than a fresh, white low-top. This isn't news. In fact, this is something so universally understood as to become a truism, which means that it's kind of beside the point to even mention it any more. So, why am I telling you? Because summer is nearly over, but you can take the collective knowledge of the men's style universe and graft it onto a moment that is—arguably—even harder to dress for: the transition between summer and fall.
Koio recently released a new sneaker: the Tempo. It's an unabashed throwback, drawing from old-school indoor soccer styles and (if you're looking for further reference points) the classic German Army Trainer. The white version is, almost, a perfect summer sneaker. It's low-profile, made in Italy, and pretty damn clean—but it's not quite minimalist. Instead, it brings a little extra personality to the table in the form of color and texture. Plus, there's a blacked-out riff on the same silhouette. Put 'em together, and you've got the perfect sneakers to take you from your pared-back summer vibe and right into the style smorgasbord of fall. Here's why you need a pair or two in your rotation.
It walks the line.
If the blazing summer sun calls for a stripping down to the essentials, the increasingly dark and chilly days of fall call for a piling on. But those moments in between—when it's warm, but cloudy; or chilly, but bright—call for something that sits on the fence. For sneakers, that means clean, but not too clean. Interesting, but not so interesting they demand a bouclé overcoat to provide a counterbalance. The Tempo has suede and leather, a gum sole, the occasional pop of color, and an overall feel that's, essentially, "Trying, but not too hard." Perfect for the transition.
SHOP TEMPO BIANCO $248, koio.co
SHOP TEMPO NERO $248, koio.co
It's made to last.
Sneakers, as you know, are no longer a disposable item. The best ones should last you for a while, and Koio's offerings will do just that. The leather is supple but sturdy. The soles are slim, but not so slim that you have to worry about walking through them after a few months. And the style itself, thanks to that vintage aesthetic, is time-tested. You don't have to worry that the fashion winds will change and these shoes will suddenly look out of place next year. They've been doing their thing for decades, in some form or other. You've got time.
It's not something you see every day.
The intersection of luxury craftsmanship and retro styling isn't new, but the products produced there—say, super-high-end takes on the German Army Trainer—tend to riff on an idea that we've seen time and time again. The Tempo changes things up, just a bit. The suede panel at the toe is a clear nod to old-school designs from the likes of Adidas and Puma, but the perforated branding is all Koio. The contrast heel-cap? Again, something we've seen. But the debossed stamp isn't. In other words: These shoes feel familiar, but not quite. New, but not too new. And, of course, easy to wear with everything from shorts and camp-collar shirts to trousers and topcoats. When you're ponying up a decent chunk of change for your sneakers, you can't do much better.
SHOP TEMPO BIANCO $248, koio.co
SHOP TEMPO NERO $248, koio.co
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