In your opinion, what is the biggest mistake we make when finding a new passion?
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Who has never been tempted, a few weeks after discovering fashion blogs and forums, to find the new patent Lanvin high tops that go so well to Killerdu92, who has the star lookbook on your favorite forum?
Here's one who probably follows fashion forums too much.
You may also have wanted, when you were in a more moody and mysterious temporary mood, to try your hand at full black and the latest Rick Owens from EmoVampireOfTheNight, to, like him, show how deep and elusive you are at the same time .
Going towards such cutting-edge pieces from the start is a fatal mistake for both your style and your wallet.
In any case, I hope to convince you through this National Standard sneaker test that before launching into cutting-edge pieces, you must first learn to master your basics, which can be richer and more versatile than they are. does not appear to be there.
A few words about National Standard
National Standard is a French brand of sneakers that many of you already know: it's a bit of a risk-free entry point into the world of luxury sneakers with shapes for all body types (low, mid and high tops) and an offer that is diversifying to satisfy more and more styles (desert boots and derbies on the next collection). The designs are traditionally associated with Lanvin and Common Project.
National Standard Editions 3 Test
The pair that was offered to us is a pair of Lows, included in edition 3.
For this test, we are going to tackle a basic examination, a bit like the one carried out by Gil in his excellent article on sneakers for men .
The sole
Sewn, thick, consistent: it's solid. And for good reason: it is designed in the same Italian factory as Lanvin and Common Project soles. It's now more or less an open secret, which still gives a very good overview of the quality of the materials of these sneakers.
Number of laces
Nothing special to say about the thickness of the laces and the space they can occupy on the shoe, it's very sober... Two types of laces are available: waxed (or waxed) cotton laces and ecru laces, the same color as the sole. This detail may seem trivial, but I will come back to it in more detail because it can potentially radically change the style of the shoe if done correctly. Casually, it's a bit of a 2 in 1.
The material
We have quality suede, comparable to what you can find in designer sneakers. Nothing special to say about that either, it's solid and the metal lace eyelets confirm that too.
Design
The shape is refined and comparable to that of Lanvin and CP low. We find the characteristic Lanvin front tip, minus the material contrast because there is no patent leather.
But after all, if it's one of the differences that makes the pair worth 145 euros instead of 350, you'd really have to be in bad faith to be offended.
The design also involves colors, and I really like this contrast of navy blue/ecru, authentic and relaxed. It changes from the navy blue/immaculate white characteristic of Lanvin, which I find too precious and too messy.
A good design in sneakers is finally " less is more ": that's why I didn't really understand the contrasting ecru vertical stripe at the back. I personally don't find that it brings real added value. This is the only, relatively minor, criticism I have to make of this model.
Let's talk about those famous laces again...
Waxed cotton laces
I mentioned Lanvin earlier in relation to the shape, the sole and the toe cap. But, as you know, Lanvin also plays on the contrast of materials and likes to make its sneakers shine.
Well that's a bit what these laces provide: a very appreciable contrast in material and luminous rendering. Their color contributes to making a block of one and the same color (except for the back of the heel), where it is the material and the capture of light that make the difference.
With this configuration, I will emphasize the precious side and I will wear them with smart formal outfits such as wool pants, blazer, shirt. To push the contrast and the offbeat side of the dandy in sneakers, why not also wear a clutch.
In any case, this is what Lucas Ossendrijver proposed upon his arrival at Lanvin in 2008:
A smart version but already more ordinary, by Mr Porter:
Ecru laces
They give a more authentic side to the pair and visually bring it closer to the Common Project by emphasizing the ecru/navy blue contrast.
The best is therefore to play the game using the codes of these sneakers which, with suede leather, are on the verge of desert boots: beige chinos, raw jeans with visible selvedge hem and weft, chambray shirt. Or even possibly a checked shirt. The entire casual Scandinavian and typical Americana wardrobe can join in without problems.
To illustrate my point, here is a little improvised shooting this weekend in Brittany:
“They are really versatile: they also indicate the North”
And, if you ever feel that you have exhausted their potential, take a look at these wise tips from Lucas Ossendrijver who will show you how to enhance them with nothing. And which gives good examples of smart outfits to wear with lows:
Conclusion: Good or not?
If purists will criticize this pair for being too inspired by Lanvin and CP designs without bringing anything new, those who want versatile basic sneakers to allow them to test different styles without risk will be delighted.
The quality/price ratio is unbeatable thanks to two factors: everything that unnecessarily overloads a pair is put aside, to keep only the essentials in quality materials; and, you guessed it, National Standard doesn't really have the same marketing spend as brands like Lanvin and Common Project at the moment. We therefore pay more for the product itself than for advertising.
You can get them on the brand's website or on Menlook which allowed us to create this article by having us test a pair. Thanks to them.
To be continued... In two days, find the test of another pair by Rémi, a loyal reader!
