London-based label YMC has officially introduced its Vulcanised Sneaker capsule collection, which is imbued with casual eco-friendly style.

Crafted in Korea, the capsule includes four high-top, low-top, slip-on and mule silhouettes, all made of durable and lightweight canvas cotton uppers.

YMC’s Vulcanized high-top sneaker in “Off-White.”YMC

Each style was crafted with purpose and made to last, conceptualized with a focus on high-quality small-batch construction. All styles also utilize uniquely textured vulcanized rubber soles and handy pull tabs on the heels that allow for easy entry.

In layman’s terms, vulcanization is a range of processes used to harden rubber. The term originally referred exclusively to the treatment of natural rubber with sulfur, which is the most common practice. vulcanization is used to produce rubber hoses, shoe soles, erasers, children’s toys and more.

YMC’s Vulcanized mule in “Black.”YMC

The brand’s clean-cut and causal ethos is infused in each shoe of the collection and incorporates a seasonal color palette of “Black,” “Off-White,” “Yellow” and “Green” hues. Both the low-top and high-top styles are a take on the classics. The sneakers include silver eyelets that are threaded with white string along with white-capped toes, OrthoLite insoles, “You Must Create” branded gum outsoles and Crepe foxing. The high-top sneaker retails for £110 or $141.15 while the low-top retails for £95 or $121.90.

YMC’s Vulcanised summer-ready mules feature a slip-on silhouette. Like their lace-up counterparts, the mules incorporate textured rubber soles and gum outsoles stamped with YMC’s logo. Finally, their slip-on style, much like the name implies, is a slip-on shoe, similar to YMC’s mules. All previously mentioned features are incorporated into this sneaker sans the lace-up detailing. The mules retail for £90 or $115.48 and the slip-on sneakers go for £95 or $121.90.

YMC’s Vulcanized slip-on in “Green.”

YMC’s full Vulcanised Sneaker capsule is available for purchase now on their website in both men’s and women’s sizes.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Footwear News may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Whether it’s a big meeting, conference, interview, or a special event, a certain excitement comes with dressing up. Finding sophisticated yet comfortable dress shoes for women and a polished outfit to match makes you look good and feel good, so you can conquer the day on solid footing.

The truth is that dress shoes for women have earned a reputation for being uncomfortable. Last year, many women experienced foot problems brought on by a return to the office, in-person conferences, and other professional events that required formal footwear, per a recent Bloomberg report. Beyond the temporary soreness and abrasions, many women experienced side effects such as poor posture and lower back, neck, and shoulder pain. According to a report from the American Osteopathic Association, dress shoes with a heel place the foot at an angle and often throw the joints and muscles out of alignment, further emphasizing the need to choose comfortable women’s dress shoes that promote good health from head to toe.

Sure, the most comfortable sneakers will always be the number one choice, but thanks to innovations from podiatrist-backed brands like Dr. Scholl’s, Vionic, and Naturalizer, there are now women’s dress shoes that are more on-trend than what people associated with orthopedic shoes in the past. While the luxury shoe market still has a long way to go when it comes to creating comfortable dress shoes, some high-end brands, like Tamara Mellon with its signature Pillow Top technology, have taken steps to provide comfortable footwear that doesn’t sacrifice style.

High heels may have long been considered the natural partner with occasionwear, but when it comes to this year’s shoe trends, kitten heels, loafers, and ballet flats are very much on the agenda. We’ve seen these styles across the spring 2023 and fall 2023 runways (think Tod’s spring 2023 and Miu Miu fall 2023), suggesting that fashion and function can co-exist no matter the season.

Considering all this, we rounded up the most comfortable dress shoes for women that you’ll want to wear even while standing all day. Whether you have flat feet, wide feet, high arches, or a foot condition like plantar fasciitis, our list includes specific options to suit every need. Backed by hundreds of glowing customer reviews and our own testing, these styles come courtesy of top comfort brands and other popular labels that are getting it right in the support (and style) departments.

Altuzarra and Keds have officially brought their collaboration from the runway to the streets. The duo’s viral collaboration — which first premiered at Joseph Altuzarra’s spring 2o23 fashion show in Sept. 2022 — launched online on Wednesday.

The pair’s collection features Altuzarra’s contemporary take on Keds‘ signature shoes, revamping two styles with a grungy edge. The first is the $180 Renaissance sneaker, featuring a lace-up runner silhouette with rounded counters and ridged brown rubber soles. The retro pair — which comes in both monochrome black and monochrome olive green colorways — includes upper layers of satin, canvas, suede and leather, complete with distressed and ripped fraying for a worn-in appearance.

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Similar detailing can also be found on the pair’s second shoe: the $140 Champion sneaker, a low-top silhouette with rounded toes and flat rubber soles. Altuzarra and Keds have reimagined the pair with distressed canvas, leather and satin layers, cast in a monochrome white palette for versatile wear. The same style can be found on Keds’ website in an additional monochrome olive green colorway, as well.

As previously mentioned, all four Keds shoes were seen on Altuzarra’s spring 2023 runway, adding a casual edge to the designer’s utilitarian jackets, sharp tailoring and flowing crocheted and printed dresses.

The moment marks the latest brand announcement for both Keds and Altuzarra. In 2022, Altuzarra made headlines when launching its genderless “Altu” line and new Madison Avenue boutique. Meanwhile, Keds has furthered its branding with a slew of collaborations in recent years, dropping co-branded capsule lines with Maisie Wilen, Rifle Paper Co. and Kate Spade New York, among others.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Footwear News may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Bad Bunny and Adidas are bringing an edgy take to their newest sneaker — with a limited-edition launch, to boot.

The duo’s Bad Bunny Response CL “Triple Black” shoe features a monochrome black round-toed silhouette with a mesh base, overlaid with squiggle-shaped textile frames and detailing. The lace-up style is finished with a lightly ridged black rubber outsole, made in the spirit of early 2000s running shoes and Bad Bunny’s own experimental sense of style.

Adidas’ signature triple stripes in a glossy dark blue hue finish the pair with a tonal edge.

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However, the $160 style doesn’t come without a catch. Due to high demand, the men’s-sized style is only available for purchase through a drawing. The first is done by signing up on Adidas’ Confirmed app, where consumers will be given an opportunity to shop the sneakers — if they win — on June 24.

The second, through the platform EQL on Atmos, allows shoppers to enter an ongoing draw with the chance to purchase the shoes upon launch (with payments processed by June 25).

The Bad Bunny Response CL “Triple Black” sneaker is the musician’s latest shoe launch with Adidas. Previously, the brand launched an ongoing partnership with Bad Bunny in March 2021, having released numerous styles together since. In fact, in April the “Un Verano Sin Ti” singer released his green Adidas x Bad Bunny “Wild Moss” Campus sneaker during the 2023 Coachella Music and Arts Festival, complete with an interactive flower truck and events space.

Bad Bunny and Adidas’ Response CL “Triple Black” sneaker is the most recent collaborative launch for the athletic brand, as well. Previously, Adidas also released collaborations this year with labels including Gucci, Sporty & Rich and Wales Bonner, as well as a colorful Pride Month collection with artist Rich Mnisi.