Spring Has Sprung:
New Keen Styles are HOT! HOT! HOT!
by Abbi Dayton
For some of us it still feels like winter. But for those lucky enough to get a summer weather preview, the new Keen styles are a must have. Even if you just like to be prepared for what Mother Nature brings in spring, take a look at all the new styles that Keen has created. For spring, summer and some well into fall, these new styles (and updated versions of classics) will have you begging for summers lazy days to come as soon as they get the chance. Let us start with a few of my personal favorites of all the new Keen styles. When Keen came out with the new line last year called Market St., I was hooked instantly. The stylish but comfortable shoes were perfect for work and play without any bulk. This season they have completely revamped the styles and made them even better. The Sienna Mary Jane is my favorite of the three new styles in the Sienna line. The shape of the shoe fits perfectly on my foot without pinching or pulling in any place. The fit is amazing. Unless you have a high-instep, in which case the shoes unfortunately fit a little shallow for you, this shoe will slip on your foot like a slipper.
There are no uncomfortable stiff sides or back, and the elastic strap is the perfect tightness. This means no scary red lines and marks when you take it off. The detailed stitching adds extra flare to the shoes, making them more than just your average flat. They come in these colors: Black, Coffee Liquor, and Sweet Pea. If you are the adventurous type the Sweet Pea is definitely the color for you. It is a lime green with blue contrast stitching. Whatever color you choose, this is a must have for all women who demand style AND comfort.
I have one more personal favorite that I cannot leave behind. Hands down, the San Sebastian is the most comfortable Keen I have ever worn. This convertible, waterproof, Venice/Targhee combination is amazing for all summer sport enthusiasts, or for anyone who likes comfortable shoes! The shoes slip on with ease because of the Hydrophobic Mesh Uppers underneath canvas cross straps. But the coolest thing about this shoe is its versatility. Not only is it waterproof, fits like a glove and acts like a breathable sandal, but it also can be worn like a shoe or a clog.
The strap that sits across the heel of the shoe can be pulled forward (when your foot is out of the shoe of course) and the bungee-tightening strap fits nicely into it and locks the heel strap in place across the front of the shoe. Then when you step into the shoe, you can step on the back heel part (the Hydrophobic Mesh) and create a clog out of your sandal. Now I know what you are thinking that this is going to be uncomfortable. We have all done this to our regular shoes once or twice and recall the still, hard heel trying to push up our foot to get back into its normal “heel-like” position. But this shoe is made for those people who like to rush out the door without slipping on their shoes all the way. And when you have those extra ten seconds to fully put the shoe on, you are good to go without ugly creases and indentations that all your other shoes have from the same treatment. I cannot say enough about this shoe and how great it feels on and looks. If you are a fan of the Venice or Newport styles, you HAVE to try the San Sebastian . If you have never tried Keen shoes before, after you wear this shoe you will never wear anything else. The Portland Mary Jane is a great new twist on a classic from Keen. It reminds me somewhat of the Sydney II (which is now available in a new color) but has a unique style all its own. The thing to keep in mind with this shoe is that the picture does not do it justice. The images I have seen of this new style make the shoe appear like it fits very high on the foot, when really it fits just like any other flat style Mary Jane would. I think it is the arching of the strap in the picture, but in reality that strap buckles into the clasp and is flat on the top of your foot. The detail stitching also offers a great new take on an old style.
There is rounded single stitching across the toe of the shoes met with oblong circle detail and aerated “dots.” The diagonal strap is very flattering on my foot and plays down the sometimes “wide” look that is a trademark of Keen shoes. The bottom is much more subtle than the Sydney II so if you are looking for a more streamlined but still practical shoe, the Portland Mary Jane is for you.
Portland Blossom-This shoe sports the same bottom as the
Portland Mary Jane but has features to make it unique. Instead of an adjustable strap across the top of the foot, the Blossom has an elastic supported strap without a clasp.
The detailing on this shoe is what sets it apart from all the other humdrum casual styles this season.
On the toe of the shoes there are three blossom cutouts in a contrasting color to the shoe. Though it may look like a fall style, this shoe actually has great potential to be the one “wow” pair of shoes for spring and summer. But if a more classic mary jane is your style, be sure to check out the Calistoga.
The Calistoga Sandal is a re-vamped version of a popular classic. The open back sandal/clog inspires this casual but stylish slip-on. It comes in black and the new coffee liquor as well as mineral blue. The great thing about this sandal is that it provides so much more support than your basic flip-flop. So if you want to go for that impromptu hiking trip or are just tired for trekking around the grocery store in ill-fitting thongs then this is a great Keen for you. Though it is perfect for the upcoming spring weather, the closed toe allows this sandal to stay in your front hall long after all the rest of your summer shoes have been packed away. Keen has restored some excitement into a few of their most famous styles and just updated them with chic new colors. Some of my favorites are the Coffee Liquor, Sweet Pea and definitely Mineral Blue. The styles that look the best are as follows: The newest color in the Berkeley is Mineral Blue. It is so beautiful and bright yet not too “out there” to wear it with everyday outfits. The Berkeley has the same reliable comfort and support as last year but this new color provides an added boost to anyone's shoe collection.
Also try the Isabella Slide in mineral blue nubuck to add a twist to everyday wear. It must be a summer for roses. Some of Keens best looking updates come in the form of their flagship styles, the Newport and Venice H2 , each with a new color that is trendy and unique while keeping close to the tradition of the sandals that are staples of any Keen lovers collection. The Newport in Shitake/Baroque Rose is one of my favorites. The dark brown leather upper is complemented with hints of rose-colored accents. It has just the right amount of the dark pink color to make the shoe great for anyone, even those of you who swear off any pink in your wardrobe. Another favorite new addition is the Venice H2 in Plum Kitten/Baroque Rose. The gray and pink combination looks so fun while giving you the full versatility of any Venice H2. And don't worry guys, Keen has a few suprises for you too. A cool new color of Men's Newport H2 for this season is the understated Dark Gull Grey/Persimmon Orange. The orange color throws just enough spice into the mix to make this combination exciting yet not overbearing. And check out the Men's Copper Canyon for an interesting new style similar to the Venice and Newport.
And if you really wanted to brighten up a room, get the Bali in Pumice Stone/Baroque Rose. Again with a hint of Baroque Rose, this color looks very similar to all the other new colors in the Keen collection. The great thing about the Bali is that it fits like a flip-flop but has much more potential for comfort and durability. Get the Bali in Pumice Stone/Baroque Rose and feel like you are on the beach everyday.
Though it is not in the Baroque Rose family I am so fond of, the Zerraport in White/Apricot Flower looks just as stylish as its rose-colored cousins. With a new strap design this color will light up any summer sandal collection and look just as cute as it is practical. The same goes for the San Mateo, a fun slip-on sandal with flair. It's definitely worth a look.
If being bright and sunny is the look for your footwear this summer, then you need to get the Ventura. Every spring/summer shoe collection needs more than sandals, and this comfortable canvas tennis shoe blends practicality with style. The new colors for the season include Midnight Navy, Deep Lichen, and Brittany Blue. Since the canvas medium is very forgiving to bright colors, the Ventura is sure to stand out in a crowd all the way through fall and next season. Plus it is completely vegan! If the canvas Ventura is not your style for a tennis shoe, check out the Presidio or Briggs for a variety of closed toed shoe. Keen has enough to adapt to anyone's needs. Whether or not you are looking to update your collection with a new color or try a completely new style, Keen is where you need to be looking for all your spring and summer footwear needs. If you are looking for fashion, comfort or durability, you will find something that fits your needs and more in this season's collection from Keen. |
