Image via Complex Original
Valentine's Day is nearly upon us, and while most celebrate with chocolate and pink champagne, the way to a true sneaker aficionados' heart is through footwear. To commemorate the lovey-dovey holiday, two single, sneaker-loving gals, Tina Nabati (@ShoeQUEENDOM) and I, collaborated on a list of sneakers we'd lust over on the fellas during a date night. To keep it festive, we tried to pick our favorites in typical Valentine's Day colors like red, purple and every sneaker fan's favorite pinkish hue - infrared. Here are the 20 kicks (in no particular order) that will get you more hump, no dump on Valentine's Day. -Megan Wilson (@shegotgame).
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Puma by Alexander McQueen Deck Lo "Pink"
Megan Says: The house of Alexander McQueen is known for couture elements and high-concept styles but these Puma Deck Los from the McQueen collection marry fashion and function beautifully. The leather upper with subtle tonal colorblocking in pink, red and contrasting black black heel cup and laces upgrade the simple silhouette into a chic and sexy sneaker.
Tina Says: Every year, girls are like, 'This is the year I get diamonds!' And guys are like, 'This is the year I get a blow***!' Everybody's disappointed. ~Aisha Tyler. Welp, these McQueens can only help! That soft, buttery-looking red and pink body is mmmm...
SOPHNET. x nonnative x Generic Surplus S/S '13 Suede Wingtip
Megan Says: SOPHNET. and nonnative are two of my favorite Japanese brands and they stay killing the game with this collaborative effort alongside Generic Surplus. The deft mix of suede, wingtip details and the classic red and tan color way reminiscent of Celine (hi, Phoebe Philo) combine for an understated but very sophisticated shoe, appropriate for any date night.
Tina Says: Epitome of date night casual cool. Guys are always dressed in jeans and kicks while the chick is all dolled up in her cutest dress and spends days planning it out before spending hours putting her plan in action. So, these kicks would def make it look like you tried a little harder for her. Dapper, you will be.
Air Jordan V Retro "Raging Bull"
Megan Says: There is something so sexy about a red pair of shoes which may explain why I lust for a pair of Raging Bull Vs. The high-grade red suede is bright without being obnoxious and is perfectly balanced by the black midsole and icy bottom. The Air Jordan V is one of my favorite silhouettes for men to wear - bonus points for all dates that show up in Raging Bull, Quai 45 or black/metallic silver colorways.
Tina Says: "Bad boys, bad boys. Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for you." Turn on your A-game, that's what. #BeReady
Kenzo x Vans "Red Flowers"
Megan Says: Real men wear florals and these Kenzo x Vans are a perfect date night choice as they're tonal in red and purple and the pattern sweet but not girly. The Kenzo x Vans collaboration have been such a success over the past few seasons and personally, I'd much rather have a boy show up with flowers on his kicks than in his hand.
Tina Says: Yes these kicks are dope and the nicest patterned kicks you could wear on V-day. But show up with flowers on your feet AND flowers in your hand. Thank me later.
Reebok Kamikaze II Mid "Black/Flash Red"
Megan Says: Shawn Kemp was one of the athletically gifted and virile players in the NBA as he has at least seven kids by six women. His Kamikaze sneaker was almost as infamous as his paternity suits. I'd be impressed if a date brought the Valentine's Day appropriate red and black Kamikazes as long as he didn't bring any baby mama drama like the shoe's namesake.
Tina Says: These sneaks are so colossal, stark in the color contrast, and in your face, they're almost scary cute. They remind me of a quote from a favorite comedian, Jay Leno. "Today is Valentine's Day. Or as men like to call it, Extortion Day." Ha!
Nike Air Max 90 "Infrared"
Megan Says: Is there a more perfect shoe than the AM90 Infrared? It's hard to argue with a shoe that releases over and over again and still inspires mad love. The mix of materials and hit of Infrared made the shade a classic in the Pantone chart and inspired many copycat colorways, but you can't mess with the best. If a man didn't have a pair in his rotation, I'd question his taste.
Tina Says: Change the batteries in your halo and slip these suckers on. The bow and arrow is sure to hit your girl right on target.
Nike Sportswear Dunk High Woven "Red Checkerboard"
Megan Says: Yet another Nike woven cracks our list, as this NSW pair weaves an interesting take on the mainstay silhouette of the Dunk. The checkerboard pattern made using tonal woven textiles is an interesting effect on the upper and the classic red, white and grey colorway highlights the elaborate shoe while still not making it look like a piece of Lego.
Tina Says: The weaving detailing in these kicks is so fantastic and make me think of childhood daydreaming all the world's possibilities of impossibilities and wonder. I'd love to see a man in this playful pair. Put stress and work aside and foresee light hearted and good times ahead.
New Balance 999 "Burgundy"
Megan Says: NBs are often described as "old man shoes" but real aficionados know that the brand has some low-key heat thanks to great design and exceptional quality. The midsole on the 999 is chunky but it helps this pair's burgundy upper stand out. These sneakers scream "grown and sexy" quietly, which is often more appealing than a pair of overhyped kicks.
Tina Says: (Rapping) "It's th 9-9-9 New Balance. You can wear them if you need some guidance.... and" OK. I can't rap for sh*t. But I can pick out an underrated dope shoe when I see one!
Ewing Athletics Hi 33 "Red"
Megan Says: I'm an '80s baby and basketball fan, so I'm smitten with the new Ewing Athletics line. The 33 Hi keep the retro styling but in great, modern materials and a vivid shade of red. I'd be equally smitten with a guy that wore these on a date, but if he didn't know who Ewing is, the only box he'd get would be his shoebox.
Tina Says: For me, the Ewings are bulky where as I'm usually into more sleek kicks but in the big scope its a very well-done shoe and I appreciate that it has history behind it. Either way this pair is a winner for Valentines. A girl can't complain about that beautiful, vivid red glow and it's sure to complement most outfits - and her too.
K1X DCAC MK3 x Patrick Mohr "Blackberry"
Megan Says: It's worth taking a risk on a first date to get a girl's attention and these K1X kicks fit the bill. The third collaboration between K1X and artist Patrick Mohr remixes the DCAC silhouette with exaggerated details all over the suede shoe, including a triangle piece that can be worn as jewelry. While I find them over-designed, there's no chance I'd forget a guy wearing these shoes.
Tina Says: Want to look hot on heart day? Here you go. I've been in love with these ever since I spotted them on someone out of the corner of my eye at a convention, and then went all bounty hunter and tracked the dude down. I can't even imagine a dude looking bad in them, an instant step-up in my eyes. Besides looking hot in them I love the detailing, the out-of-the-box thinking, and the overall unique aura. Swoon!
Nike Air Max 1 Premium "Patta x Parra"
Megan Says: We all have grail pairs, one of mine is this collaboration between shoe boutique Patta and one of my favorite artists, Parra. The deep shade of burgundy suede mixed with splashes of color like infrared on the toebox, outsole and white and grey midsole to balance it all - this shoe is a work of wearable art. The way to my heart is through footwear and any man in these AM1s would own mine.
Tina Says: There is no doubt this collabo is sick and loved by many. Slip into this uber-sexy stride and call it a night! P.S. guys, check Megan's Instagram for her February travel schedule. If you own a pair of these, try your luck in a city near you.
Ronnie Fieg x Asics "Rose Gold" GT-II
Megan Says: Ronnie Fieg's designs have inspired a cult following amongst male and female sneakerheads and a pair I'd both love to receive as a gift and see on a man are the Rose Golds. The shoe's understated soft dusty rose suede and splash of gold is subtle but beautiful and enhances the classic GT-II silhouette. Wearing Rose Gold kicks would certainly help your lady friend see you through rose-colored glasses, at least for the night.
Tina Says: "Love is not the dying moan of a distant violin .. it's the triumphant twang of a bedspring." -J. Perelman. In that case get both you and your girl in these impressively lovely kicks.
Balenciaga Cotes Trainer High "Red"
Megan Says: The high cut of the Cotes sneaker coupled with pleated textile details are too busy in some colorways, but they really pop when done in all bright, blindingly poppy red. They're a statement sneaker that elevates an entire outfit. But at $615 USD, I hope any date who wears these shoes paid his rent before copping the Cotes.
Tina Says: I am loving the all-around thin ribbing on this designer beaut, especially since it balances out that bright, all-over red. But Megan's right, pay your rent first. And so what if your pockets aren't deep enough, you could always go ham on 'Discount Chocolate Friday.'
Concepts x Nike SB Premium Dunk High "When Pigs Fly"
Megan Says: Have you ever asked a girl out on a date and heard "when pigs fly" as a response? Wearing these kicks would be the best revenge as not only are they in a perfectly pink pig suede, but they're an overall beautifully designed Dunk, thanks to the gum sole, blue laces, silver Swoosh and even a silver piggie lacelock. Who says real men can't wear pink?
Tina Says: Finally some pink I would love to see on a man! The shade is smooth and it's not all messed up by tons of overdone treatments I've seen in other mens' pink kicks to compensate for the colors femininity factor. Instead, powerful blue laces, tough-looking tongue, and a touch of humor with the themed 'pigs fly' lacelock. Werd.
Nike Air Max 1 EM "London"
Megan Says: Nike is all about marketing and their latest technology, Engineered Mesh (EM) is being utilized in different silhouettes including the AM1. The "London" pair manages to marry red and purple together in one shoe, without making it look like a color design disaster as the shiny red mudguard pops against the purple mesh. Textile technology never looked so Valentine's Day appropriate!
Tina Says: I gotta say purple and red together usually looks super creepy to me. This pair definitely does it right with the deep shades and engineered mesh material to complete the look. Creepin' it real.
New Balance 574 "Year of the Snake" Pack - Red
Megan Says: As of February 10th, 2013, we're officially in the Year of the Snake and sneaker companies are all offering up their take on the creature's reign. New Balance is releasing four pairs of the 574 but the highly saturated red pair really stands out as a winner for Valentine's Day. The scale details and gold highlights are sure to impress and may make a girl wonder if you have a snake in your pants, too.
Tina Says: Thank you to New Balance and the Chinese calendar for giving Megan the "Year of the Snake in Your Pants" pack. #ImDone
Kazuyoshi Miura x Puma King Suede Premium "Red Crocodile"
Megan Says: It's hard to go wrong with cherry red, the blue tones in the shade look great with dark denim and black leather. These Pumas keep the classic shape but update with a subtle hit of crocodile and gold details to elevate the shoes to a lux level. They're clean but also rare, which shows a great eye for detail and taste and make a great first impression.
Tina Says: When I think of Puma Suedes I think kick back and relax. When I think of these Puma KING Suedes I think of kicking back and relaxing on a throne, like a Bawse.... This Valentine's, be a bawse.
Filling Pieces Low Top Pony Hair "Maroon"
Megan Says: Oxblood is a hot shade in fashion and it looks stunning in leather. These lowtops by Netherlands-based Filling Pieces do a great job of marrying the color in different textiles like leather and pony hair. Seeing a guy show up in a pair of relatively unknown kicks in my one of my favorite colors would absolutely earn him points.
Tina Says: Absolutely stunning! These kicks are so bold, yet simple and to the point. I find oxblood to be such a masculine color and the lines of the shoe mixed in with minimal but different materials takes it from a potential zero to hero. These joints are my absolute fave of the list. I had to remember to close my mouth and swallow as I am writing this.
Nike Kobe 8 iDs - Holiday Graphic "Pink Flash/Dark Grey"
Megan Says: Kobe Bryant is playing like he's a youngun' wearing the No. 8 again, so it makes sense he's on his 8th signature model with Nike. The 8s are one of the best shoes to take to Nike iD and the "black mamba" inspired snake print is my favorite. I'd be curious to see what a future date would come up with colorwise as creativity would earn him points like Bean. #YoureWelcome
Tina Says: I'd be curious to see what a future date would come up with, too. It can be a major turn-on when a guy comes out with iD's that look like they should be in the big market. And in case your girl has no clue, just tell her they're extremely limited edition.
Nike Lunar Flow Woven LTH TZ "Black Tea"
Megan Says: 2012 was the year of the Nike Woven hype machine and for 2013, wovens are back but in a more sophisticated manner. The Lunar LTH model keeps the shoe looking stealth using debossed logos, and all-black premium leather upper. The infrared-esque outsole really makes the shoe pop - like a high-end sneaker version of Cole Haan Lunargrands.
Tina Says: Eyyy! A great "mix-and-match" from Nike. Wear these and you'll weave yourself right into her heart. Yes, I'm ending this list in cornyville. After all, the only time corny works is on Valentine's Day.