Editor’s note: Expect these posts weekly detailing one standout item coveted by yours truly. Sometimes, these fit within budgetary restrictions and other times, they’re expensive splurges worth saving for. For more Wish List items from Beau, head here, and to see other Style Picks, head here. Please note that the below post has been updated to reflect the pre-sale release date and price of these shoes.

Who needs laces indeed? The newest pending release from GREATS Brand. Photo courtesy of GREATS.

Summer time is almost here folks, and if you haven’t made the transition from your sturdy winter boots to some crisp white sneakers or classic runners, now is definitely the time to start doing so. All of this talk of transitioning seasonal styles is also bringing out some more unique footwear options — specifically the evermore ubiquitous slip-on sneaker. Some retailers like J. Crew have been producing this style for a while now, but there haven’t been many that combine so many nice elements into one package — like the soon-to-be-released Wooster leather slip-on from Brooklyn’s own GREATS.  The pre-sale for these shoes launched today (Thursday, May 21) — and if you’re on the early access list, you can get the shoes here for $149 now.I’m a  huge fan of the brand and the quality sneakers they produce for the price, so when I saw news of the latest release (named for #menswear icon Nick Wooster), I was effectively sold (on writing about them, at least!).

A close-up look at both the Blanco and Cadet versions. Photo courtesy of GREATS.

The brand has already produced multiple different runs of the same style using the Wooster name — two colors of a wool slip-on, a white bison leather version with accessories maker Parabellum and a  Wooster x Lardini collaboration designed in conjunction with the style legend earlier this spring. The leather Wooster in particular looks like the best of the bunch though — five different colorways (a few of which also made it onto my Wish List Pinterest board linked in the Editor’s Note), beautiful-looking leather and the perfect mix of summer cool and sharp style. The Cadet or Blanco pairs in particular (that’s a deep navy and white for the uninitiated) could easily be styled with everything from shorts and a short-sleeve henley to chinos and an easygoing blazer-and-tee combo — keep your eyes peeled for the release of these early next week because if history tells us anything, they’ll go fast.

Have you picked up any sneakers from GREATS? Would you buy these? How might you style them?