Swear Grant Oxford High SKU #7449974(View on Zappos.com Classic)

Is any $300 sneaker worth it? Let's face it; $300 is a lot to pay for a sneaker, but that's exactly what I did. The Swear 'Grant Oxford High' is the result of a collaboration between English high-fashion shoemaker Swear and sportswear icon Fred Perry. What you get for your $300 is top-drawer materials and workmanship, and a pair of stylish kicks that really stand out from the mundane crowd of thick-soled cross-trainers, clunky skate shoes, and 'moon boot' basketball shoes. These are a wonderfully stylish alternative to the dreary 'cargo-pants-and-Nikes' look. The shoe itself it a delightful variation on the classic plimsoll; think of a high-top variant of the classic Keds 'Champion' done in tumbled leather. It's classic, sporty, yet understated and elegant, not garish like so many US offerings. My only kick on these shoes is the fit. For some reason, Swear likes to make their shoes long! You will find a lot more 'dead space' between the end of your toe and the end of the shoe than you're used to. If you have unusually narrow feet, go down a size, but otherwise, live with the pointy toe. It could be worse; Swear's 'Dean' series have toes that are so pointy that they look almost too comical! They are spendy, but if you want a classy sneaker that stands out, they're more than worth it!