Offering a fresh, culturally subversive take on a genre of athleticwear which has long gone underserved, it’s little wonder why Palmes Tennis Society (a Danish “insurgent menswear label” established in 2020) has been hitting all the right serves over the past three years.
Having developed a cult-like following among younger racket enthusiasts, Palmes has been steadily building up its repertoire to better meet the desires of a clientele keen to embrace tennis culture in an unstuffy and egalitarian way.
After finding crucial early success with staple tennis vestments such as shorts, polos, and tote bags (with palpable off-court appeal) the brand has most recently tapped New York footwear specialists Blackstock & Weber, in pursuit of its first bona fide dress shoe.
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“We found ourselves feeling drawn toward Blackstock & Weber’s approach to taking something formal, the loafer, and making it more fun and multi-dimensional” says Nikolaj Hansson, co-founder of Palmes. “Just like what we’re trying to with tennis.”
Working closely with Chris Echevarria of Blackstock & Weber, the two brands have come correct with a summer buck-style loafer that’s most well-suited to activities beyond the tennis court. At the same time, it feels uniquely of the sport – infused with a variety of style cues that will have players instinctively Googling for the nearest clay/hybrid surface.
A super cool addition no matter whether you choose to wear these with largish denim or your go-to rugger & shorts combo, each pair of Palmes tennis loafers is manufactured using the ‘Goodyear welt’ technique (meaning the leather bottoms can be repeatedly resoled, with relative ease).
Additionally the uppers have been made using the same scruffy white felt you’re likely to spy in a 1970s Grand Slam event at Roland Garros – sourced from a family-owned manufacturer of tennis balls in Southern England for good measure. Still look a bit too pristine? Then feel free to sprinkle on a couple handfuls of the (included) clay dust: a means of instantly conjuring the magic of the court.
Frustratingly, one third of all the initial sizes have already sold out, but head on over to Palmes now if you’re in US size 6.5-11 range – just take care to size down.
