Since being founded in 2010, ETQ Amsterdam has made its name through producing minimal sneakers for men. While we’ve grown accustomed to premium leather and suede uppers, clean lines and an all-round reverence for the simpler things, ETQ Amsterdam has surprised us this season with 36 new, resplendent colourways. The 36 Shades collection comes as a celebration of the Dutch label’s ten year anniversary and refers to the first ever ETQ Amsterdam order: 36 luxury tennis sneakers in crisp white nappa leather were ordered to sell to friends and family back in 2010.
The model that Patrick and Robert of ETQ have chosen to use as the blank canvas for this exploration into colour is the faithfully minimal silhouette of the ETQ Amsterdam LT 01. This is one of the most understated leather trainers for men on the market, so it forms the perfect basis for the brand’s bright new adventure. What’s more, these vivid new colourways come just in time to give your wardrobe a much-needed springtime lift. Here are our favourite new styles.
Azure Blue
Crafted from premium suede and handmade in Portugal, this luxury sneaker for men features an anti-bacterial microfibre lining, memory foam insoles and reinforced TPU cupsoles for unparalleled comfort. That said, what we’re really focusing on is, of course, the explosion of Azure Blue suede that constitutes the upper.
Fig
Premium nappa leather uppers emphasise the bold lines of the ETQ Amsterdam LT 01 silhouette while an understated Fig colourway adds a new angle to this classic style. This is up there with our favourite new colours because it’s still satisfyingly easy to style, retaining signature ETQ Amsterdam minimalism but offering a new take on spring style.
Sunflower
Sunflower is one of the louder hues in 36 Shades. Although bright, the richness of the colour lends the style a more mature feeling. The Sunflower shade allows you to make a statement without blinding your companions. This suede sneaker for men embodies the optimism of spring.
Maroon
The 36 Shades collection is made up of only one style – LT 01 – but features three different upper materials. Each pair is treated to either a leather, suede or nubuck construction, each of which as plush as the last. The Maroon colourway is the first premium nubuck trainer in today’s lineup. The fine nubuck material suits the royal red hue to a tee – it’s a royal addition to any footwear rotation.
White Sand
Perhaps you’re less accustomed to wearing bright colours – you’re certainly not alone. For those who, in the spirit of spring, would like to find smart trainers for men that suit the brighter weather without taking away from a well-curated, minimal ensemble, try White Sand. This premium suede sneaker goes with everything and offers a welcome alternative to plain white leather sneakers.
Mineral Green
When we heard that ETQ Amsterdam was releasing a collection of 36 new colours, we didn’t know how to react. One of the best men’s sneakers brands that we love for its simplicity? It could end terribly. Of course, we should have known that the label would choose 36 perfect shades: never too bright but also not boring. Take Mineral Green for example, this deep aquatic hue is difficult to take your eyes off once you’ve locked eyes with it.
Shop the whole new ETQ Amsterdam collection.
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