There's always something exotic about Lacoste. As a huge multi-national, their fashion brand now extends widely into style leading footwear brands. The Lacoste Ampthill is a new model in their Sportswear range of fashion trainers and features many of the company's landmark specialities. We think it brings a calm air of continental cool to a rather frenetic market-place. You can go jazzy if you wish - we opt for understated elegance, which comes in spades with the new Lacoste Ampthill chukka boot.
This neatly retro chukka's subtly sculpted upper is the first thing to captivate the eye. Depending on the version, you can have it in lightweight cracked nubuck or suede leather with off-white or dark brown options. On the other hand it also comes in quality canvas with a choice of grey or subtle blue. In each case the uppers amply cover and protect the ankle. Almost, but not quite, reaching as high as a full boot, the Ampthill chukka is still low enough to permit free ankle movement for your favourite activities. Lacoste's victory with his French "Musketeers" impudent theft of the 1927 Davis Cup from the Americans is commemorated in the clear but not over-large crocodile emblem embossed proudly on the trainer's outer side.
These uppers are firmly clasped to the instep via the neatly fastened full front laces through four pairs of patented eyelets. Inside quality cushioning keeps the vital foot to ground contact sweet and the ankle is comfortably cuffed to avoid any unwelcome chafing.
The Ampthill chukka boot is mounted on a suitably proportioned chunky white/off-white rubber sole. The famed Lacoste signature contrast or complimentary stripe on the sole's outer reaches from the instep round the heel half circuiting the shoe. This bit of eye candy alone will get the shoe noticed.
This superb trainer is unmistakably and unashamedly identified as Lacoste by the bold branding embroidered at the tip of the tongue, heel and on rubber outsole.
Great with denims, casual or formal wear, Lacoste Ampthill serves just as well whether on or off the pitch. We think this trainer with its understated grace should have pride of place not just in your wardrobe but on your feet, out on the street.