Acne Studios has never been one to play by the rules, and their latest lace-up leather shoe is proof that subverting tradition is where the magic happens. At first glance, this soft, ballerina-inspired beauty whispers of classic elegance—its delicate laces crisscrossing with the quiet confidence of a vintage dance slipper. But step closer, and the story shifts. The deep suede leather, printed to mimic the faded charm of worn-in denim, turns expectation on its head. The result? A shoe that exists in a space between nostalgia and innovation, between the past and the future, balancing the romance of ballet with the grit of streetwear.
In 2025, fashion is rejecting the ordinary. We’re in an era where everything is an illusion, where trompe-l’œil is having a resurgence, and where pieces aren’t just worn—they’re interpreted. This shoe leans into that mindset, playing with texture and perception in a way that feels refreshingly unpredictable. Acne Studios has taken something as familiar as a lace-up and given it a new language, making it feel both raw and refined. The back detailing, an unexpected extra touch of lacing, feels almost undone, as if the wearer has stepped out mid-performance—elevating an already intricate silhouette into something even more poetic.
Comfort doesn’t take a backseat here either. The calf and lamb leather construction means a buttery softness that molds to the foot, while the rubber sole—just thick enough to feel substantial but not heavy—ensures that walking feels like floating. And unlike the sky-high, hyper-embellished shoes dominating runways right now, this pair whispers rather than shouts, proving that true statement pieces don’t need to scream for attention. Instead, they draw you in with quiet intrigue, an aesthetic that aligns perfectly with the return of refined minimalism we’re seeing across the industry.
There’s something undeniably cool about a shoe that doesn’t fit neatly into any box. It’s not quite balletcore, not quite workwear, and not quite streetwear—but it plays in all those spaces effortlessly. It’s a shoe for the art school girls, the ones who mix masculine tailoring with undone femininity, the ones who love contradiction. With Acne Studios’ lace-up leather shoes, it’s not just about what you’re wearing—it’s about the way you wear it, the story you tell, the mood you create. And that, more than any trend cycle, is what fashion is really about.
And for those ready to embrace this bold balance of subtlety and statement, Acne Studios offers the lace-up in three harmonious hues—light blue, off-white, and silver/grey—all priced at $540.
