Everything worth knowing about Hightop of Doom is below, starting with the part that changes what you buy. Proportion does more than colour: volume on top wants something narrow below, and the reverse. Repeat one element, a metal, a texture or a colour, and an outfit looks deliberate. Sneaker sizing runs a half size small across most of these brands. The groups below run from the decision that matters most to the ones you make afterwards.

What decides this is last shape, toe box width and cushioning. Everything else is preference. Two from the first group show the range: By Far's Prudent Deep Purple Suede Leather Sneaker at $259, and Nili Lotan's CANVAS SNEAKER at $450. The first is the easy entry point; the second is where the money goes. Sneaker sizing runs a half size small across most of these brands. A wide toe box matters more than cushioning if you are on your feet all day. A higher price mostly buys materials and finishing, and occasionally it buys nothing at all.

Keep the sneaker quiet if the rest of the outfit is doing something. From the second group, By Far's Prudent White Nappa Leather Sneaker ($333) is the one that earns its place, because it works in more than one context without being restyled. The third group is smaller and deliberately narrower, sneakers, for the decisions you make after the main one. None of this needs the whole group. One piece from each is usually enough.

There are 20 pieces here from 11 brands, $126 to $1150, all in stock when this was written. We would not buy all of them, and neither should you. alohas.com's Tb.490 World Club Italy Leather Sneakers at $126 is the low-risk way in, and anndemeulemeester.com's Heiko Ankle Boots at $1150 only makes sense if this is a category you already use constantly. Read as a set, they get you close to Hightop of Doom without any single purchase being compulsory. Nothing here is included because it is famous, and price is not used as a proxy for quality anywhere on this page. If you take one thing away: one considered purchase beats three hedged ones.