There are many things that I got wrong when I first landed in Japan back in May. It took me more time than I care to admit to work out which button I had to press to flush the toilet (other functions included enthusiastic water spray, seat heating and the sound of running water). I was also throughly bamboozled by the face coverings that I was handed in fitting rooms – I opted for the “human falconry hood” approach, which wasn’t a million miles away from the correct method, and aside from making me look like a serial killer, turned out to be quite a revelation.
But, thankfully, when it comes to fashion, language barriers don’t apply, and it didn’t take me long to be won over by the impeccable and eclectic style of Tokyo’s design-loving inhabitants. And while, like London, it’s impossible to distill the city’s aesthetic into a single “look”, there was one item that I spotted more than any other when I was there: black trainers.
A street-styler during Tokyo Fashion Week.
Momo Angela
Trying on trainers in Tokyo.
Of course, it might not sound particularly groundbreaking, but considering the slew of boxfresh white and colour-pop styles that have proliferated over the last decade, it was notable that Tokyo’s fashion crowd were opting for inky-hued iterations. Unsurprisingly, cult Japanese brand Onitsuka Tiger was a popular brand of choice, both the Mexico 66s (which were also recently worn by Hailey Bieber) and the lesser-known Sclaws, but I also saw a good number of monochrome Adidas Taekwondos and Sambas and Nike Shoxs.
I even found myself, a longtime sneaker abstainer, becoming influenced into buying a pair of black Adidas Taekwondos. The exclamations that followed my trainer-clad return to the office is a testament to the sheer miraculousness of this conversion. But I can confirm that, having worn them multiple times now, my black trainers somehow feel less, well, trainer-y than classic white models that I haven’t previously been able to get on board with – particularly when rendered in a sleeker silhouette, which makes them perfect for wearing with summer miniskirts and dresses. Is this my gateway into becoming a sneakerhead? If so, I only have Tokyo to thank (/blame).
Shop black trainers
Onitsuka Tiger
Mexico 66™ Black/White sneakers
Puma
Mostro Metallic Sneakers Unisex
Miu Miu X New Balance
530 SL Patent Leather Sneakers
Prada
Collapse Re-Nylon And Suede Sneakers
Nike
Nike Air Max Muse Sneakers Triple Black
Adidas
Samba OG Suede-Trimmed Leather Sneakers
AloJapan.com