New Balance 576 Made In The UK - Tea Pack

New Balance are gearing up for the release of this season's limited edition 576 trainer, the "Tea Pack." Each sneaker takes inspiration from a different cuppa, English Breakfast, Peppermint and Earl Grey. Made by hand in Flimby, Cumbria. They've also produced this pretty sweet video to go with the launch.

Very British indeed, if you're making one mine's a Peppermint.

New Balance 576 "Tea Pack" available from End Clothing this August.

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Beside the Seaside | New Balance 577 Seaside Pack

New Balance celebrate a subject which is very close to my heart, with the release of their "Seaside" themed pack. The 2-piece collection features the 557 trainer, with each design and colourway being inspired by a trip to a British Seaside town. Helter Skelters, deckchair stripes and pastel colours all featured across both versions - check out the sweet illustration on the tongue and insole!

Made in Flimby, Cumbria, UK - each features its own unique candy-cane colourway, embroidered Union Jack on the heel and alternate laces. This short video below has been produced to celebrate the industry + importance of the Great British Seaside. Also see the New Balance "Tea Pack" + "Three Peaks Pack".

New Balance Seaside Pack is available at size?

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Spotted - New Balance 574 Yacht Club

Wearing - New Balance 574 Yacht Club, Norse Projects "Anton" Shirt, Albam Harrington jacket, Topman shorts, Timex Weekender

Recently I was offered the opportunity to be apart of New Balance's monthly "Spotted" campaign. Cut To Inbox is the New Balance monthly email update, which they share with their community from all around the globe. I was asked to style up a pair of 574s from this Spring's Yacht Club pack.  This season's theme is nautical and their ever popular 574 running trainer gets the proper poop deck makeover.

Variations on this outfit have been my go-to cycling gear for the past couple of weeks, I don't really remember the last time I wore trousers, this heat is crazy! The 574 Yacht Club in grey/green/navy colourway features a premium suede upper, breathable mesh toe and ankle padding (hence still pretty good in this weather), gum sole and finished off nicely with black & white striped seersucker lining. Really sweet touch. I thought they'd be quite tricky to work into my wardrobe but they're proving to be pretty versatile and most importantly, comfortable. Bravo to Encap and your magic tech.

Personally I think 574 works best with shorts, so lets hope this weather holds out till the end of summer. We're all gunning for it right?

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New Balance Made In The UK - Three Peaks Pack

A new week brings a new trainer release. New Balance has just released this season's limited edition set, the Three Peaks Pack. The pack pays homage to one of the toughest races in the UK, the Three Peaks Challenge. To climb all three of the UK's tallest mountains in 24 hours, Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Peak, including travel to-and-from each would be an amazing achievement, but if you're after taking a quick route to this accolade then this pack is for you.

Made in Flimby, Cumbria, each trainer comes in its own unique colourway and with an embroidered Union Jack on the heel. Also see the New Balance "Tea Pack".

New Balance "Three Peaks" Pack available at Togs + Clogs.

Have you entered the Made In These Isles Giveaway yet? Win an exclusive leather glasses card by British brand Small Castle.

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New Balance x J.Crew 997 Butterscotch Edition

The New Balance 997 US-made silhouette gets the Butterscotch treatment with this new colourway, exclusive to J.Crew. Featuring an upper made from a mixture of premium leather, nubuck and suede, in candy-like shades of tan, beige and brown. This special release comes complete with a limited edition wooden presentation case, with enough room to stash a year's supply of Werther's Originals in.

So what's next for New Balance? We're gunning for a Tunnocks Teacakes collab... The New Balance x J.Crew 997 sneaker is set for release on 12th March in stores and online.

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Trainer Issues - Sports vs Casual

Sports - Nike Air Vengeance Vintage. Reissue of the purple and pink nylon/suede upper with vintage treatment soles, 1985 running trainer. It's a case of so ugly I love them, mad as a box of snakes these ones.

New Balance 420. Cira 1980s classic running trainer. In royal blue, grey and white nylon/suede mix. I can't fault New Balance for comfort, design and general understated coolness. 

Nike Elite Vintage Size? Exclusive. Red and navy nylon/suede upper and original waffle soles straight from the year of 1976. Look pretty slick and streamline. Takes me back to the days of my first job in a sports shop when I was 16.

Casual - Adidas Originals Gazelle Indoor. Modern update of the late 1960s indoor classic. Featuring half translucent sole in forest green, white and gum. The classic terrance trainer gone uber-mod. I was given a similar pair about 7 year ago for they bought the wrong size! Doy.

Converse Star Player. Natty alternative to the classic. Mixe the Allstar with the Onestar and this is your outcome, with suede upper, extra padding and premium trims. My favourite comes in navy, ecru and grey. Slick as Rick but not too different from my usual sneaks.

Nike Blazer Low Vintage. The trendy option, minus the high top upper. Again a suede upper in copper, white and vintage treatment soles. I had a similar grey pair when I was about 15, the got totally trashed from playing football but they lasted like no other. Maybe a bit too "cool" for me? The colour is pretty appealing to me though.

So I'm trying to make the decision on a new pair of trainers, and I want you guys to help me. I'm trying to make up my mind - Sports vs. Casual. I have a handful of trainers already, a mixture of both styles, I wear them for the gym and on an every day basis. Currently my favs are a pair of blue and orange nylon New Balance 410 which I wear to the gym every week and occasionally out & about. Comfort is key but I like a bit of a nostalgia too so I don't want anything too trendy. I turned to one of my favorite trainer store on the high street Size for a bit of inspiration. If you're in the market for  a new pair of trainers you can't go far wrong with Size.co.uk, have you checked their selection out lately? The pages seems to scroll on for ever! 

Here's where you can help. I like a good ol' nostalgic design and splashes of colour, comfort is always important and I don't mind a bit of the ugly factor. Which ones do you like (or hate too, I really don't mind) and why? Also which ones can you see me in? I'll be really interested to hear your opinions on this one.

Images from Size.

GIVEAWAY - Win Trainers Of Your Choice With size?

I've probably been hyping this one up in my head but I'm really excited about this giveaway. We're giving away a pair of trainers of your choice from size?, up to the value of £100!

size? stock a ridiculous amount of brands and styles, so if you do win it might take you a bit to decide. Their current brand list boosts; Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Clarks, Converse, Sperry, Saucony, Sprint Court, Vans....and so on. There's plenty of style to choose from and the the winner can take their pick from any Men's, Women's and Kid's trainers or shoes. Sweet deal. Above are a few of my favourites from their new season stock, including the New Balance 996 and the women's Nike Free Run 2.

How to Enter

To win a pair of trainers or shoes of your choice from size? you must be a subscriber of Buckets & Spades Blog. There are several ways you can do this, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter. The more ways you follow, the more chances of winning. Remember, if you follow you can come back and enter this giveaway daily! This giveaway is open worldwide, back of the net. If you have any questions or would like to know further rules of the contest please email/tweet me.

Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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New Balance 420s

Wearing - New Balance 420s, Levi's chambray shirt, H&M pleated trousers, Uniqlo orange socks

This week started of as a none event but now it's turned into a jam packed one, I'm going to be rushing around everywhere doing odds & sods. I'm working quite a bit and I'll also be helping Hollie put up her exhibition space later in the week. The first stop today was the mundane task of sorting out a new dentist and canning off the old private one, I'm bound to save some money that way. Above is what I wore on my travels.

I've been wearing New Balance for the past few years, from day to day wear and also at the gym, they're hands down the comfiest brand of trainers I have come across. Cushioned personified. I picked up these 420s in Royal Blue/Grey/White from Ebay a couple of months ago at a steal. Although they aren't the most versatile trainer I've been mostly wearing them with these semi-smart pleated navy slacks.

In other news, I'll be down in London on 11th June for a day, Hollie's on business so I said I'll travel there and back with her. So I"ll be free, if anyone fancies meeting up for a bit.

New Balance EPIC-TR Football Collection

New Balance team up with four European footwear stores to create a limited edition collection of their EPIC-TR sneaker. Hanon, 24 Kilates, sneakersnstuff and Firmament all got to give their own spin on the brand's football boot-inspired silhouette. 

To celebrate the sporting heritage of New Balance, those football-crazy lads at Mundial Mag visited all four retailer to shoot the new collection on familar ground; using each respective store's staff as the subjects. Along with the sneakers, Mundial has also produced a limited run magazine to accompany the release, which profiles the Made in England construction, each individual colourway and original design process. 

The collection is released 11th June. More info here.

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Selvedge Denim - What's It All About?

After a number of conversations on Twitter and forums I have decided to pick up the subject of selvage denim, the ins-and-outs and the best/recommended ways to look after your jeans. So I asked expert in the field Doug Ellison, one of the Directors at well renowned North East denim specialist Union Clothing. Here is the gist of what he had to say on the matter;

Buckets & Spades - What is Selvedge Denim?

Doug Ellison - Ok so SELVAGE DENIM is defined by the narrow white woven edge on vintage style denim, this was originally produced on 29-inch looms and went on to 58-62 inch looms to improve efficiency. Individual denim producers would often use a coloured line of thread to identify their product, Levi and Nudie use red, Lee use green, Wrangler use gold and Japanese denim brand EDWIN now using Rainbow selvage.

B&S – So how is it made, are their different techniques?

DE - Different techniques can be used to make Selvage Denim, each technique creates different characteristics in the denim. LEFT HAND TWILL was traditionally used by LEE and offered a softer handle. OPEN ENDED DENIM is generally cheaper to produce although it is bulkier, coarser, and absorbs more dye. RIGHT HAND TWILL produces a diagonal which rises from left to right. Most Levi’s jeans are right hand twill. RING SPUN DENIM was traditionally used into the late 1970s but was replaced by cheaper open end yarns, generally used to acquire a vintage look this denim is harder wearing than open end. RING RING DENIM uses ring spun yarn for both the warp and weft and generally has a lower cost.

B&S - Are there any special ways to care for your Selvage Denim, what do you recommend?

DE - There are a few pointers we at Union Clothing give to our customers to make sure they get the best out of their investment. First, good quality Selvage is not the cheapest but will reward you with years of wear whilst giving you a pair of jeans that you have lived with through every scuff and wear mark which tells a story about you and your lifestyle. Second to get the best out of your SELVAGE JEANS requires some dedication and will power not to succumb to the temptation to wash them to early, if you imagine your jeans to be a tree and you need to remove the bark to get at the grain of the wood below that is in effect what you are doing with a pair of SELVAGE JEANS.

At Union we like to practise what we preach, especially when it comes to selvage denim. Here is an example of Geoff’s selvage denims before he started wearing them, and after the first wash 18 months later;

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

B&S - Cheers fellas, that's cleared a few things up then. Until next time.

If you are looking for some quality selvage jeans then why not have a look Union Clothing's new online store here, or pop into our stores in Newcastle and say hello. Union Clothing, 12 High Bridge, Newcastle, NE1 1EW.

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In The Mood For Puma

Outfit - Vintage army jacket, Topman shirt, Junk de Lux chinos, Puma trainer gifted by Zalando, Ray Ban sunglasses

My search for some new trainers has finally come to an end. The post I did last week on my trusty New Balance ended up being quite interesting as a few people, (Claire from Jazzpad being one) hadn't pegged me down as a trainer person. Truth be told I certainly am but just don't happen to own many. The problem is I'm mega picky and as trainers in the majority cost more than "sneakers" this makes my brain work overtime and consider my actions more. Currently I own a couple of pairs of Converse, Vans and Superga so when Zalando approached me a couple of weeks ago asking if I would like a gift voucher to spend on a pair of trainers of my choice I damn nearly spilt my bowl of Shreddies.

So after uming and ahhing over all the brands they stock (which took some time I tell you, they carry around 600 footwear brands!) I narrowed it down to a handful. My criteria was something sporty-ish  and colourful. I looked into Asics, New Balance, Adidas and Nike but I kept thinking I need to go for something a bit more unexpected, why not push the boat out a bit. So I ended up punting for this pair of Puma "Suede" in purple and gum. Originally designed for basketball these Puma's were massive on the streets in the 1980s/90s. They ticked all the boxes and I reckon I can wear them in a less sporty way, which does it for me.

As my feet were looking pretty 90s I thought I'd try them out with my new army jacket, which I picked up in a vintage shop for £12. Camo was pretty hip in the 90s so I'm sort of going for a Simon Pegg circa Spaced jacket and trainer combination. I'm quite pleased with the look actually, what do you think, does it work? 

Thanks to the nice people at Zalando for gifting me these, even better that I actually got to pick. As I said they stock a whole bunch of brands like Clarks, Tommy Hilfiger, Vans and Dr.Martens to name a few and offer free delivery and returns on everything.

I wasn't in any way pushed into writing this post, I was gifted the voucher and the rest was up to me.

Also...I'm listed a bunch of stuff on Ebay, take a browse and help me pay for a holiday post-graduation!