pickups - Ubinami- Sneakers & Lifestyle

Every year holds new personal favorite sneaker pickups. Every favorite list is entirely subjective and represents an individual’s style and personal taste in sneakers.

2023 has been personally slow for pickups for multiple reasons. However, a list is still doable and justified every year.

Nike Air Force One West Indies Anniversary Edition

The original AF1 West Indies that dropped over twenty years ago is a major grail. The craze behind them was unmatched at the time. Although the OG pair would be nice to have, I have no complaints about the anniversary pair.

I surprised myself this year and bought my first every pair of Air Forces. When I saw this particular pair on sale on Nike, I knew I had to grab them. Most sneaker pickups for $60 are a great deal, but a brand new pair is rarely heard of at such a price point in 2023. “West Indies: Anniversary Edition” completes the iconic look on the tongue tag.

New Balance 574 x Joe Freshgoods

Although this pair is slept on, I knew I had to add them to my collection. A neutral pair of sneakers for a reasonable price is rarely passed on. This pair is extremely versatile and gets a lot of use because of how easy they are to wear. The materials are also constructed well together.

The 574 remains one of New Balance’s classic models. Joe Freshgoods has been killing his collabs with NB and shows no signs of slowing down. Expect more solid work between the Chicago native and the Boston-based sneaker label.

The partnership between Joe Freshgoods and New Balance has just scratched the surface of the full potential for both parties. Anyone who keeps up with sneakers has seen the power of a collaboration. New Balance prides itself on working with creatives who appreciate history while looking to break boundaries as well.

New Balance 550 x Aimé Leon Dore White

After twenty plus years of not buying New Balance, I bought several pairs this year. The brand has another supporter as they continuously produce amazing collabs and take pride in their craftsmanship.

This particular pair is versatile as well and has been one of my most worn sneakers this year. They go with just about everything and don’t look bad after getting beat up.

Teddy Santis and his label Aimé Leon Dore have been making serious noise in the sneaker community. His collabs with New Balance have been causing sneaker enthusiasts to flock to the highly popular 550 model.

Without any surprise, another New Balance makes my list of favorite sneaker pickups for 2023.

A Ma Maniere x Nike Air Ship Black/White

Nike dominates my top sneaker pickups yet again. The Nike Air Ship is typically a silhouette that doesn’t get much attention, but A Ma Maniere (AMM) changed the story this year. Through their impeccable collabs with Nike, AMM prides itself on quality and craftsmanship. Signature details such as an inner tongue label and premium sock lining highlight this special Air Ship.

The AMM Nike Air Ship revived some attention and appreciation for the sneaker. A luxurious feel for only $140 retail is damn near unbeatable in today’s sneaker market. The cream/”aged” midsole competes this pair to emulate the original Nike Air Ships. The pair that came before the iconic Air Jordan 1 doesn’t get as much love, but A Ma Maniere allowed sneaker enthusiasts to appreciate history more with this collab.

Nike Dunk Low Red Panda

The Nike Dunk Low has been over-saturated and run into the ground. However, an appealing collab or new colorway might come out every now and then. The Red Pandas immediately caught my eye when I first saw them online. The neutral/fall colors pairs well with my closet so this pickup was a no-brainer.

Perfect for the fall. A new colorway brings a refreshing look to the well-known Dunks.

Nike will continue to produce countless pairs of general release Dunks. Hopefully, the Oregon-bases giant will use collabs to encourage artists and creatives to give the model inspiring looks and stories to tell.

Sneaker Pickups: Looking Forward

Moving forward, I plan to be even more intentional with my sneaker pickups. New sneakers are being released everyday, so missing out on certain pairs shouldn’t lead to irrational decisions. Wearability and versatility are two major components that I look for in new sneakers. Loud and colorful sneakers may be cool to wear sometimes, but colors that pair well with numerous clothes typically get more wear and overall use.

Sneaker pickups are exciting year and year out. Personal style changes as will new sneaker pickups and the type of sneakers being collected.

Within the past few years, I have quickly realized quality is almost always more important than quantity. A medium-sized closet with quality, staple pieces beats a large wardrobe consisting of just okay clothing. Exceptional materials and longevity are essential for a piece of clothing to stay in a solid rotation. New pickups can be rewarding and exciting especially more sought after items that require some dedicated hunting.

Earlier in 2022, I donated and sold over 40% of my closet. It makes no sense to continue to hold on to clothes that barely get worn. There is too much time and space taken up by things we don’t find useful anymore. Now, it is vital to personally only buy clothing that will last a while and will get worn often.

Mind Over Matter

When we clutter our personal space, the mind often feels confined too. Focusing more finding useful materialistic things temporarily places over consumerism in the rearview mirror. Vintage and second hand clothing strongly promote reusability and keeping goods circulating in the market.

Fast fashion is more prevalent now than ever in the history of clothing. The rise of the vintage market over the past few decades promotes economically and environmentally friendly choices from countless consumers.

Placing an emphasis more on quality lets pickups become more meaningful and thought out.

Vintage Finds

Casual collectors, serious hunters, and vintage enthusiasts alike know the feeling of finding a hidden gem at the local thrift store or second hand shop. One person throwing away an old shirt might be another’s perfect vintage find. Subjectivity rules in almost all aspects of fashion, especially within the vintage realm. Universally, condition and age are more objective than other features of vintage pieces.

The vintage market is ever evolving. Trends come and go just like other niches. However, some of the best vintage clothing comes with more time. Aged pieces are often worth more than newer ones; rarity brings more thrill in the hunt for the next vintage pickup.

Sports vintage resonates with countless collectors. Timeless pieces from memorable games, celebrations, and championships rarely go out of style. Old school lettering and logos have seen a major resurgence in the recent past. A vintage t shirt will always be a classic staple that pairs well with streetwear and sneakers alike.

This Pittsburgh Pirates 1994 All Star Game shirt caught my eye as soon as I saw it. Black classic lettering with yellow bordering and vice versa both stand out effortlessly. The 1994 MLB All Star Game logo showcases the Pittsburgh skyline with one of the city’s prominent bridges in the forefront.

Vintage sports clothing is easily one of the most coveted subcategories in the vintage world. Throwback uniforms and logos contribute a great deal of importance to vintage sports pieces. Historical aspects of franchises across various sports provide even more significance.

Undefeated Pickups

Founded in Los Angeles, CA in 2002, Undefeated is a well respected sneaker boutique and apparel brand. There are several brick and mortar stores across the United States as well as in Japan. As a brand known for its quality and craftsmanship, the label has not been shy in terms of collaborations. Nike, Jordan, Adidas, Bape, and Anti Social Social Club are just a few well known brands that have produced remarkable collabs with Undefeated.

Good fitting quality pants are not easy to find especially for men over six feet tall. After looking around on Grailed, some Undefeated cargo pants caught my attention. Once they came in the mail, they did not disappoint especially for below retail price.

The Undefeated olive cargo pants are noticeably made of quality materials that are built to last. Minimal branding adds fine yet recognizable touches to the relaxed fitting pants. Spacious pockets and drawstrings at the leg openings are both necessary compliments.

Streetwear pickups- Undefeated — Undefeated Olive Cargo Pants

Another Grailed pickup makes the cut. Undefeated pants might be my new go-to option; the fit and materials combine for an exceptional execution by the LA based label.

This particular pair was more of an impulse decision. However, since getting the pants in person, they have not been disappointing at all.

The reflective workout pants provide a fresh look to a comfortable clothing option. Perfect for casual wear and working out, this pair is a solid alternative to basic gray sweats.

Future Pickups

Vintage and streetwear are constantly evolving. Trends come and go, but personal touch is typically built to last. A individual’s particular style depends on the inspirations they draw from their surroundings and consumed media, ads, and previous purchases. Fashion niches like vintage and streetwear see endless changes due to numerous factors. However, one thing remains stagnant- the ability to express oneself freely and openly.

As time goes on, I am making a conscious effort to be more selective when buying clothing and accessories. It is easy to buy clothes to simply increase the size of one’s closet. In the future, personal pickups will focus on quality rather than quantity. Anything worthwhile should be of high quality and built to last.

Tag: pickups

Top Sneaker Pickups of the Year