As low-profile footwear continues to trend, fashion houses have been seeking more and more inspiration from the dance floor. For a while, it was all about the ballet flat, which has been reworked in seemingly every possible iteration, from sneakers to derbies. But lately, a new form has pirouetted into view: the jazz shoe.
This summer, errand-running fashion folk are doing so in thin-soled, tightly-laced, arguably quite sensual jazz shoes. You can spot SPAM professionals (that’s Social Media, PR, Advertising, Marketing) stomping around Paris in them, paired with chopped denim shorts and a breezy long-sleeve tee. There’s Harry Styles, opening the first night of his recent tour in a Celine pair. Additionally, all manner of guys who’ve taken to the summer style hack of color-blocking complimentary shades have chosen a little white jazz shoe as their outfit’s accent aigu. And of course, you can always channel Serge Gainsbourg and Mick Jagger (see the Start Me Up music video) with a pair of Repetto Zizis, flared jeans, and a peak-lapel jacket.
Unlike ballet flats, which suggest a delicate athleticism, jazz shoes remind us that dance shoes are designed to be beaten and scuffed—and they look best that way. With their glove-like fit and simple choice of black or white, jazz shoes also pass as a dress shoe without the dreaded break-in period thanks to their soft, supple leather. To help you nail the form on your first try, the 12 jazz shoes selected below consist of the heritage makers still in production today (including the very same pairs worn by Gainsbourg and Jagger), as well as GQ’s favorite contemporary brands putting their own spin on things.
Repetto Zizi
Let’s start with the OG, shall we. Repetto’s Zizi has been in production since the early 1970s, first introduced for dancers requiring soft leather footwear with the polish to razzle and dazzle. Picked up by Gainsbourg and Jagger soon after, it was the kind of lightweight, aerodynamic shoe that proved capable for their own performances, with nimble calfskin leather and a two-inch heel for heightened stage presence. Apparently, Gainsbourg ran through 30 pairs a year, as you would a pair of Vans.
Source:
www.gq.com
