Is it ever too early to shop for your new favorite spring sneakers? In our estimation, well, no, it’s never too early. That works out quite well given that Madewell just launched its first sneaker collection. The Madewell Sidewalk Sneakers are here, and they’re very, very stylish.
The unisex collection (developed by Madewell’s in-house design team) is everything we could have asked for when it comes to sneakers for early spring (and beyond).
“We’re excited to launch our first line of sneakers,” said Joyce Lee, Madewell’s head of design. “As a denim brand, creating our own sneaker was a natural next step.”
The collection includes models like the Sidewalk Sneakers in Canvas, a sporty white canvas, gum rubber low-top that looks tailor-made to be worn with a pair of Madewell denim (just the way the brand would want it) and a slub T-shirt or Oxford. For what it’s worth, the Sidewalk Sneakers in Canvas (particularly the white canvas iteration) are our favorite, since they look as suited for spring travel as they do for a rooftop happy hour.
That same versatility carries over to the eight additional offerings in the collection, including an intriguing pair of Peach Sidewalk Sneakers. Try them with light wash jeans and a casual crewneck on a breezy day – plus the old school-tinged Sidewalk Sneakers in White Leather (able to be worn with a khaki cotton suit or a chambray shirt and grey chinos). That the collection takes inspiration from throwback skate gear is fitting, given how prevalent skate culture is in matters of menswear these days. But, the difference is, these aren’t the skate sneakers you had in middle school. The Madewell Sidewalk Sneakers are really all grown up.
Put it this way: For a brand’s first attempt at sneakers, the details and construction are on-point and the pricing ($68-$88) isn’t half-bad, either. And the fact that they use new MWL Cloudlift insole technology for all-day support is a huge bonus, too. That means any offering in the collection is designed to keep you on your feet in style all day long, from a breakfast meeting to the office to happy hour, and then back the next day.
From these new sneakers to its well-executed line of denim and soft, perfectly crafted T-shirts and jean jackets, Madewell Men’s is quickly becoming a brand to be reckoned with in its own right. It helps that these sneakers are here in time for spring; the hardest part might be waiting to wear them until it gets warm out.
