This Made-In-Italy Canvas Sneaker Is Your New Summer Staple

A few weeks ago, I took it upon myself to review eight pairs of canvas sneakers in search of the best pair on the market. I emerged from that experiment with a lot of insight into what makes a canvas sneaker—and a deck shoe specifically—the cream of the crop, and where other styles can fall short. Point is, I’ve spent a lot of time over the last couple of months thinking about casual canvas footwear, and now, I’ve put those learnings into a shoe I can proudly call my own. Meet the Jake Woolf x Blu Scarpa La Tennis sneaker.

Blu Scarpa founder Matthew Chevellard says the La Tennis is the brand’s signature sneaker, and, as its name implies, it has its origins not, like many canvas sneakers, on ship decks, but tennis courts. Specifically, the shoe was inspired by a pair of 1980s Nikes Chevellard found at a vintage store in Tokyo, which featured a rubber cap toe design, a cream/light blue color way, and a well-worn look that he wanted to capture in a new style without going overboard. The result was the La Tennis—a premium canvas sneaker that boasts a washed upper for comfort, leather accents at the heel, and a full leather lining to make these one of the most luxurious (and socklessly wearable!) canvas sneakers on the market. The outsole is also made from natural rubber because, as Chevellard says, the brand does absolutely nothing “Fugazi.”

Where I come in is more or less in this new colorway. After ruminating on how to make the La Tennis my own, I decided I wanted to take the 1980s origins of the sneakers even further back in time, namely to WWII. Back then, the deck shoes issued to soldiers in the U.S. navy featured white uppers and black soles, though why exactly that is eludes me. Perhaps it’s because black soles wouldn’t scuff the black decks of ships, but if had to guess I’d say it’s because it was just easier for the military to make rubber soles in a uniform black rather than dye them all. Whatever the reason, if you look at photos of those standard issue kicks, they boasted a white/black color scheme that I think, when it comes to the new La Tennis, makes the shoes just a little more unique than your average pair. But it’s a combo that’s also incredibly wearable, which is aided by the fact that we took Blu Scarpa’s signature blue logo on the tongue and rendered it in white to give them an even more minimalist appearance.

You combine all that with some made-in-Italy craftsmanship, and you’re left with what to me is effectively the perfect summer shoe. It’s one that’ll effortlessly carry you through beach days and nights out on the town from now well through Labor Day, and which will only get better—and more yours—the more you wear them. I genuinely can’t wait to see what my pair looks like after a few months of heavy wear, scuffs, and life on them.

I also should mention that—surprise!—the shoes aren’t the only product we’re dropping today. In addition to the La Tennis sneaker, we’ve also got what is without question the most luxurious belt I’ve ever owned/worn/seen. I said as much last month when we released our suede/lapis Sante Fe belt, but we upped the ante again by rendering it this time in 100% pure American alligator. Color wise, we dyed the gator in a beautiful burgundy hue that, intentionally, makes them the perfect pair to our burgundy La College loafer that kick started this whole partnership a few months back. Just to reiterate: we’re talking about a made in America belt that features genuine alligator, hand-carved lapis, and, just because, well, fuck it, sterling silver hardware. When I say this belt is luxurious, I mean it.

We’re also dropping what to me is the most fun piece of jewelry in the JW x BS lineup so far. We already brought you Blu Scarpa’s signature bar bracelet in a gorgeous lapis and onyx combo, but now we’ve got lapis and onyx beads if that’s more your speed—or to pair with it. They’re less precious and dainty than the bar bracelet, but IMHO just as if not even more wearable. That in mind, the clasp and construction are 14K gold, continuing with our theme of brining you certified heirloom pieces that don’t skimp on quality. This is the kind of bracelet that stands out without screaming for attention—a subtle accent piece that I guarantee people will ask you about every time you wear it. Which, if you’re like me, will be every single day since the moment I put it on.