As the old adage goes, you can tell a lot about a man from his shoes. It’s a subject that many take very seriously; there have been reams of blog posts, style articles and even whole books on the rules, etiquette and symbology attached to our footwear. Fortunately, the quintessential American menswear designers at Ralph Lauren are on deck to kit your feet out for that most important time of year: summer weekends. Running sneakers have long been part of the staple Ivy League look that the brand has made its signature, striking the balance between casual insouciance and a considered retro appeal: neither too neatly-pressed to run errands around the supermarket nor too sloppy for that big barbecue.

The new Train100 running sneaker really nails this sweet-spot with aplomb. Constructed from a blend of lightweight nylon with premium suede panelling that calls to mind New Balance at their 90s heyday, the Train100 rides on a lightweight EVA sole unit with a TPU heel clip for extra stability. Cushioning is handled by the brand’s proprietary RLite technology coupled with a leather footbed for a touch of luxury, while one of the brand’s signature vintage ‘Polo Dry Goods’ labels appears to the tongue for a hit of retro Americana appeal.

Coming in both grey and navy colourways, the Ralph Lauren Train100 sneaker is the perfect shoe to pair with your favourite shorts or chinos this summer for an effortless Ivy-approved look without having to break out the boat shoes. Both pairs are available now from Aphrodite Clothing, priced at a very reasonable £99.