First there was the Gucci slipper, then the Balenciaga sock shoes, and now the Golden Goose sneaker is closing in on the title for ‘Best Laid-Back Kicks’. 

Founded in 2000 by a Venice, Italy couple, Golden Goose started with read-to-wear. The brand introduced sneakers seven years later and it quickly became a powerhouse in the luxury sneaker market with its distressed and worn-in designs. While the brand does have some unscathed white sneakers to choose from, majority of the Golden Goose selections feature embellishments, distressing, tears, prints, and writing all done by hand in Italy. It’s a mixed-media shoe madhouse over at Golden Goose but we’re actually really into - continue reading to find out why.

Merging the worlds of laid-back California style (we’re talking old converse and beat-up vans) with Italian craftsmanship hasn’t really been done with sneakers. When you bring both worlds together you get the golden egg of luxury footwear that is Golden Goose. It’s truly a sneaker for the easy-goers that have an appreciation for the quality of luxury pieces. We know Converse will last you a while, but Italian leather will last you forever.

When you buy a pair of Golden Goose, the Superstars start at around $500, you’re really investing in sneakers you’ll wear everyday. From walking the dog to meeting someone for coffee, the versatility goes beyond the special occasion Valentino sneakers you still keep in a box. Golden Goose sneakers are meant to be worn without caution. They’re truly shoes where the more you wear them, the better they look. 

Golden Goose are also extremely customizable, with unique laces available for purchase and sneaker specialists in their stores doing hands-on customizations de temps en temps (that’s French for ‘sometimes’). The brand also tends to release new styles every month, but most of the truly special designs sell as fast as they release. 

We currently have our eye on the low-top Superstars and the Sabot slides, but with new releases happening so often it’s hard to keep focused on just one. You can check out the full selection of Golden Goose sneakers at goldengoose.com. Stores like Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman also get their own exclusive styles, so be sure to do your research before committing.