Since it’s almost time to lose those thick jeans and trousers for nice summery shorts, a pair of low top white sneakers is a must! Please check out these stylish options for the summer:

Converse Jack Purcell in white leather – for those that are sick of chucks and want a different variation check out some Jack Purcell’s! (http://www.converse.com)

Common Projects Archillies in Perforated White – the loudest and most well made white sneakers on the planet. (http://www.commonprojects.com)

Spring Court G1 Canvas – the original white shoe since 1936, a classic. (http://www.springcourtusa.com/)

UMBRO by Kim Jones in vulcanized lo woven – British designer brilliance + casual street = one very cool sneaker. (http://www.umbrobykimjones.com)

Gladiators are undoubtedly here with a vengeance this summer. I haven’t made the leap (as a laggard in these footwear trends) to purchase these for fear of losing protection for my feet. Being no worse off than flipflops and no better off than a bunch of string wrapped around your feet, these things are undeniably attractive footwear for those sunny days.

Distinguished only by their strappy nature, gladiators come in an abundance of styles, colours, and textures to match various looks. Take the plunge?

Ps – I really like the Payless one (ha!)

Yesterday I perused through the Yorkdale Gap and found myself lost in all the amazing clothing that I never thought they sold. The day before yesterday I went to the Eaton Centre Gap and while leaving, stumbled upon my greatest find of the day – a heather gray racer back button up vest (quite a mouthful). I remember sitting in many a marketing class where the professor would drone on about how Gap has lost its market as the lower and higher end markets distinguish themselves, and the retailers in the middle lost their brand position.

Gap is making a comeback – they don’t only sell staples, but they’ve started one great initiative that I took notice of. Four clothing racks were arranged at the front of the Yorkdale Gap, with crisp white apparel hung on sparkling white hangers. The “GAP Design Editions” showcases the collaboration with the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, and emerging design talent. There are seven designs inspired by the classic white Gap shirt, my favourite being the threeASFOUR design, where they turned the shirt into a gorgeous crisp summer dress. Give Gap a second glance the next time you head to the mall, you’ll find more than cheesy fleece pullovers emblazoned with their logos.

> imagest courtesy of gap.com

The bag shelves in every major bag, shoe, and hip retailer out there these days are carrying this brand. While it isn’t created by matt&nat (wouldn’t it be lovely if there was some story behind it about how two art students came across each other frolicking in a courtyard…), visionary Inder Bedi from Montreal brings a unique collection of bags on a very specific premise.

“Products are entirely cruelty-free, giving back to the community, and spreading the positivity to as many possible”

Source: “Little Burgandy Spring/Summer Collection Magazine”

What does this mean for the end consumer? Synthetic leather (‘vegan leather‘), bags formed from 100% recycled bottles, and a wide variety of functional bags with distinctive and original designs, high in quality.

I was surprised to find that a $160.00CAD bag made from plastic bottles could be justified by a retailer. I can understand the whole call for sustainability and the positive intentions, but at the end of the day don’t we want products that we can not only stand by for its values, but also for their quality in manufacturing? I have conflicted emotions about this brand – et tu?

> images courtesy of mattandnat.com