Category: What To Buy

This is an editor’s pick, and I am putting the Browns on here whether you like it or not. Now to be fair, Cleveland did update their uniforms this past season, but in all honesty, they didn’t really change too much from the 2015 edition. The update was simple and reflected not only the Browns culture but also Cleveland’s scenery and environment. In Ohio (especially Cleveland), we tend to wear a lot of Fall colors (even in different seasons), and Ohioans are known for wearing jerseys regularly. The Browns did a great job of keeping their fans in mind with these designs. 

Not too shabby overall, plus it didn’t hurt that the Cleveland Browns had their best season in a long time, making the playoffs for the first time in 18 years.

Don’t start! No negativity will be allowed when discussing the Falcons’ uniforms. 

You can say what you want about their record, but there is no denying the fact that the ‘Dirty Birds’ have some of the freshest uniforms in the league. They give you versatility with the red, black, and white, and the uniforms catch your eye not only on television but in person as well. The Falcons threads almost look unreal, and they compliment the black helmets nicely.

Sorry Jaguars fans, but these unis are the three Bs: bland, boring, and blah. These jerseys just feel outdated, and there is nothing about them that captures your attention. The color scheme is cool, but the overall design makes the uniforms look more like a t-shirt as opposed to a jersey. Make no mistake, these are definitely better than the 2013-2018 look, but where are the mixtures? You have to experiment! The helmets are dope though.

The 49ers are probably the most experimental team in the NFL when it comes to their uniforms. They aren’t afraid to try different colors and mixtures. The black and red alternates are always a nice surprise whenever they wear them, and the red x gold combo is rich and vibrant. The white unis could be reworked—they could try replacing the red stripes with yellow to compliment the pants. Other than that, the 49ers’ uniforms are a hit.

The Chargers were another team that got a new set of uniforms for the 2020 season, and they lived up to the anticipation. The Chargers gave us six new combinations, and every single one of them were a thing of beauty. The powder blue jerseys are a nice baby blue color pattern pairable with either the white or yellow pants. While not the most dynamic of the bunch, the white jerseys get the job done. The royal blue Color Rush is gorgeous, and so is the navy blue. If you are going to move to Los Angeles, you have to look the part, and these new uniforms are L.A. to the fullest.

It appears that the Arizona Cardinals live by the motto ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ While technically not broken, the Cardinals could actually fix it up just a little bit. The Cards haven’t really changed much over the past 20 years, and they should consider updating their uniforms to look more modern. The helmets and facemasks need to be revamped, and the stripes are awkward and misplaced as well. Come on, Arizona! Switch it up a bit! Live life on the edge!

The Patriots may be a little upset that Tom Brady is taking another team to the Super Bowl, but perhaps they can find solace at the fact that their uniforms are absolutely sick. These threads are quite possibly the best the Patriots have ever had. While the blue unis work well, it is the white that stands out the most. The thick shoulder stripes were a much-needed improvement, so this change was a good call by the Patriots organization.

Some like these threads, some don’t. The bold neon green was a daring decision but a solid move in our decision. The Seahawks uniforms are very ‘university’ like, but that is absolutely okay because Seattle itself is very much a tourist university-like city. The rest of Seattle’s combos are great, and reworking these jerseys have proven to be a lucrative move, as they are amongst the NFL’s best-sellers thanks to Russell Wilson. 

The Chicago Bears have one of those classic uniforms that will never go out of style; traditional yet simple. Chicago does a decent job at giving three very different looks that still remain true to their team colors and the overall style while mixing the new with the old. Now the Bears have received some criticism for looking too ‘retro’, and because we have gotten on other teams for their outdated jerseys, we have to admit that is a fair critique. The NFL seems to be heading towards a futuristic look, and the Bears could stand to make some improvements, but those changes could easily be made with their next update.

The Buffalo Bills do red, white, and blue better than any other team in the NFL (and that includes the Patriots). The Bills uniforms always look crisp, and that is because Buffalo has never been afraid to experiment with color schemes and patterns. The spacing between the names and Jersey numbers is perfect, and so is the font size. Buffalo has the right idea, and more teams should pull from them.

Jets fans already deal with a lot of emotional turbulence, so we won’t say their previous uniforms were ugly—instead, we’ll use the term ‘visually unappealing.’ 

The Jets were in desperate need of a new uniform set and delivered with this latest update. Lighter colors tend to bode well in the NFL, and the Jets made a sharp move with the decision to go with a brighter green color for their home jerseys. The all-black color scheme for the alternate jerseys works well with their helmets and looks pretty dope on the field. These color combos are nice, and the Jets can probably skip the 2024 update if they wish.

Purple and gold is always a good blend, and while some may believe that these current uniforms could be better, they are certainly an upgrade from their previous editions. Solid matte threads are tricky—they looked great several years ago, but are now beginning to look old-fashioned. The solid purple helmets are awesome, but Minnesota should consider changing the font and stripe design. It makes the uniform look very 2010 as opposed to 2021. This might be a bold suggestion, but it wouldn’t hurt to add more yellow (or even make the entire jersey yellow with purple and white mixtures). The Lakers did it beautifully, so it can be done.

This may be a hot take, but the Steelers could make a case for having the best uniform selections in the league. Their standard black and yellow jerseys have aged well, and the all-black is a sick look. The color-combination is a banger, and the Steelers have come a long way since those terrible bumblebee uniforms.

Consistency is key, and Green Bay always has great uniforms. Understanding the importance of placement and aesthetics, the Packers have a color scheme that works. Pants are a key element in making any Jersey standouts, and the white Color Rush pants with green x yellow sandwich stripes were an excellent addition to the Packers lineup. Those pants go with both their home and away jerseys, giving the team two totally different looks. The solid green jerseys remain a classic, and the Packers are one of the few teams in the NFL that can get away with not making major uniform changes.

You can never go wrong with the classics. The white and gold threads are a timeless look that will always work for the Saints and their fans, and the same could be said for their all-black unis. The only real complaint is that the Saints are a little too ‘safe’ with their jersey choices. It wouldn’t hurt to see more gold incorporated into the design or even a solid gold jersey with black and white stripes. The Saints still have one of the best Jerseys in the league though.

The Raiders jerseys are as close to perfection as possible. Their silver-and-black combination is basic, but it works so well. The Raiders have barely touched their color scheme (even dating back to Oakland and Los Angeles), and they likely won’t have to as their jerseys rank in the top five every single year. The unwillingness to change may not work for other teams, but it seems to work for the Raiders.

Release Date: 1973

I’ll start with these because I recently purchased a pair. Puma has always been one of my go-to places to buy suede sneakers because they are great quality while still being relatively inexpensive. These shoes are also incredibly comfy and the neutral colors provide versatility that can coordinate with any outfit. The suede classics have been around for decades, and you can never go wrong with having them in your closet.

Release Date: Unknown

For the fellas, the ‘Derbys’ are a solid shoe to add to your lineup. They have firm cushioning, combination leather, and rubber outsoles. The deep brown color gives the shoe a classy appearance making them great for the workplace, date nights, and upscale events.

Release Date: Unknown

I actually own the non-suede version of these shoes. I am a fan of the ‘Barstyn Booties’ because design and ankle support has always been an important factor for me when buying a shoe. The suede upper and low block heel means these shoes can be dressed either up or down depending on your outfit for the day.

Release Date: January 2019

Vans are ‘in’ again. So if you are looking for a new pair of, then consider these sneakers when making your next purchase. The off-white colorway makes them pairable with just about anything, so you can certainly create different sporty looks with these. You can also purchase these in an off-black colorway if you wish.

Release Date: Unknown

These boots are great for both casual and formal wear. In my opinion, you could wear them with a nice sweater, or perhaps a dressy coat or blazer. With these, you can choose either a taupe or dark brown color. While the taupe makes the shoe more flexible, the dark brown stands out just a tad bit more in my opinion. Whatever color you select, you’ll be sure to make a statement.

Release Date: October 2020

The ‘Jordan 1s’ remain one of the most popular sneakers in the world. The red and black colorway really makes the shoe pop, and are pretty reasonably priced (especially for Jordan’s). However, I would only suggest these for a true sneakerhead as the wear on these kicks will be pretty limited due to the bold colors and suede fabric.

Release Date: June 2018

This is another ‘O.G’ sneaker, but more beginner-friendly. Unlike the ‘Zooms’, these ‘Mids’ are more suitable for everyday wear as black is one of those colors that can go with just about anything in your closet. Plus, vintage high tops are also back in style. At $80, I consider these relatively cheap, and I do believe that in the coming months we will see the price of vintage colorways rise significantly. So now would be a good time to snag a pair.

Release Date: Unknown

I don’t have these exact shoes, but I do have some suede boots very similar to this. These ‘Katari Suedes’ are simple yet stylish, complete with a block heel and pointed toe. This is especially important for those days where you desire a dressy look, but may not necessarily want the struggle of wearing heels. There are so many different styles that you can create with these boots. You could wear them with a dress, but then also match them with your favorite jeans for a more casual look. Again, these aren’t super expensive, so I think they are a good buy if you don’t have a similar pair already.

Release Date: Unknown

At some point office life will be returning, and you may need an updated pair of loafers. Ted Baker has become one of the most popular luxury brands in the world, with colorful and classy designs. Described as being the ‘suavest of shoes for the suavest of gents,’ these loafers will complete any ensemble. Ted Baker is currently having a sale for the holidays, so this is your chance to get a great quality $200 shoe for nearly half of the price.

Release Date: October 2017

Kyrie plays basketball very well and guess what? He also makes pretty good shoes. One of the things I have always liked about Kyrie’s sneaker line is his attentiveness and desire to make a shoe suitable for all types. The ‘Kyrie 3’s’ only have suede upper, so you don’t have to be as cautious as other shoes. These are also great for everyday wear.

Release Date: October 2017

When these sneakers first came out they received quite a bit of flack. Some loved them, while others didn’t. I must admit these had to grow on me, but I have since come to appreciate how bold and daring these colorways are. Rihanna has always been a fashionista, and her collaboration with Puma was just the beginning of what we are currently seeing from her as a fashion and beauty entrepreneur now. I anticipate that these will be hard to get a hold of in the future, so if you manage to get them now, you may have a collectors item on your hands.

Release Date: 1963

These ‘Minnetonka Booties’ have been a tried and true favorite for nearly sixty years, and I just happen to own a pair as well. I have always appreciated the unique design of these shoes, and the ability to coordinate with them with multiple items in your closet. I have personally worn these booties with casual mini-dresses, jeans, and dress pants, and have gotten totally different looks with all of them. However, you do have to be very careful with them. So make sure you look at the weather before leaving the house because I once ruined a pair by being caught in the rain.

Release Date: Unknown

Speaking of Minnetonkas, I picked these because all of the other suede shoes on this list for men are pretty formal/dressy. The Aldens are a more laid back shoe, and can be good for those quick Walmart runs. These can also be worn as a house slipper making them perfect for game days and lazy weekends.

Release Date: March 2020

For some reason whenever I see these sneakers, I automatically think of the NBA on NBC theme. These Mids feature a suede upper complete with thick padding, and while the blue might be tricky to coordinate with a few of your outfits, I think they could work if you get creative. Ultimately you can never go wrong with a blue colorway, so you will surely grab some attention and compliments while wearing them.

Release Date: July 2018

I’m picking these because everybody needs to make a fearless fashion statement at least once in their lives. These Gucci SEGAs are amazing for a multitude of reasons. For starters, they feature the legendary SEGA design giving us all a blast from the past. The model of the shoe is also unique, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a colorway designed the way these are. The SEGAs originally retailed for $980, but now you can purchase them for as low as $360. While still pricey, it could pay off in the future if you decide to flip them.

Release Date: Unknown

Black suede pumps will forever be a timeless elegant look. Nine West has been one of the best in the shoe game since 1983, and have become synonymous with providing quality shoes for economical prices. While they do have shoes that veer towards the more costly side, I have been able to snag some great pairs for less than $100. Nine West shoes are very much like Hondas—if you take care of them properly they can last decades (my mother still has her Nine West shoes from the 1990s), so you will be getting a bang for your buck.

Release Date: Unknown

You can’t talk suedes without talking Uggs. Everybody needs a pair of UGGs in their lineup because it’s one of those shoes that will never go out of style. Because of the suede texture, there are some UGGs that you can’t wear in certain weather conditions, but these ones are primed with UGGPure lining to keep the moisture away from your shoes (although I still wouldn’t wear them in really bad weather conditions.) Contrary to popular belief, you can rock UGGs during the warmer months, so these will be a convenient wear year-round.

Release Date: August 2019

I know what you’re thinking—you don’t like Burberry enough to wear their designs on a shoe. Hear me out, these shoes are a rarity. Not only are they a clean fresh look, but I suspect they will be worth a pretty penny in the future. StockX shows that there have been four purchases on this sneaker in the last week alone, so the value seems to be increasing quickly. I will be getting these suedes at some point, and I recommend that you do too.

Release Date: September 2018

For some reason it feels like a lot of our old school favorites have come back into the mix this year. These shoes are no different from your classic ‘Chuck’s,’ except this version is suede. You can choose from a black or natural ivory colorway, and honestly either one will work with whatever look you are aiming to create. As with every pair of Converse sneakers, these shoes are simple but stand out nicely.

Release Date: December 2020

It’s not often that you’ll stumble across a suede skate sneaker. This recently released shoe is a must have for any skating enthusiast that wants to skate in style. Earlier this month, shoe brand Cariuma collaborated with legendary L.A. Skate Powerhouse The Berrics to release a limited edition three-piece sneaker collection. This shoe follows the debut of the brands first-ever premier sustainable skate sneaker, and has a sleek aesthetic built to be a seasonal classic. The sneakers are triple-stitched protecting both you and your kicks as you skate. With many people getting new boards for the holiday, these sneakers would be the perfect accessory.