Size?

I rarely wear trainers and if I do it’s for the gym, which is a real rarity. However I always find myself wondering around Size? In complete awe and wanting all the trainers in there. I was recently attracted into the store by the huge poster advertising the exact trainers Jedward wore on the X Factor, you know the high-​tops with wings extruding out of the sides? Had to get me some of those! I didn’t, you’ll be glad to hear as they were out of my budget and well; I would have looked like a bit of a tool.
Size? Are well known for their selection of trainers ranging from your average Vans to special edition, hard to get, Nike high-​tops. If you’re looking for a special pair Size? Is where you need to be. Prices range quite a lot, I would say the average price for a pair would be around £60, but that’s not bad seeing as your being served and dealt with by people who really know the score.
Situated next to Victoria Quarter, its perfect location has made it one of the most popular stores among students and fashionable people. In addition to the coolest trainers and pumps they sell a range of clothing lines such as Fred Perry and Adidas. I recommend this store to anyone looking for something a little less high street and a little more a la mode!

Size? is for brand lovers. Aimed at men, the ground floor is full of trainers, from standard high street variety to limited edition high top Nikes. A metal staircase leads you down to the basement which is Adidas land. If only to gaze in morbid fascination at the freak of branding that is the Adidas leather couch complete with buttons! Any Adidas lover will be at home here, surrounded by classic tracksuits and exclusive collections. Upon ascending the stairs you see that each step denotes a key moment in the history of Adidas, elevating the importance of the basement store to something of a museum exhibit.
Up to the second floor (this shop really is huge!) and you find the more general clothing with a variety of brands including fread Perry and Lyle & Scott. The gear is pricey but a little more varied and interesting than the usual suspects in the Adidas dungeon. There are loads of lavishly branded t-​shirts, expensive jeans and some vintage-​look cardigans and checked shirts… but I can’t help but feel you’d be better off buying true vintage for a quarter of the price rather than paying through your nose just for the addition of a tiny embroidered logo.
If you like labels of a certain ilk and don’t mind paying a hefty chunk to do a bit of free advertising for your favourite brand then you’ll probably love Size? If you’re not into labels and are shopping on a budget then even the friendly and enthusiastic staff probably wouldn’t get you over the threshold!

So you want a new pair of sneakers, but you don’t want the run of the mill generic styles seen on every Nike and Adidas loving teenager living in or around a city centre. If its high tops or retro cool, basketball kicks or skater shoes that take your fancy, then definitely take a trip to Size if you fancy something different.
One of the pleasant rarities with Size? The staff actually know what they’re on about, there’s a passion for the collections, and if you ask, there’s usually an answer. That’s without mentioning the content, the collections are unique, which is probably evident in the price tag; your average pair of Converse are going to cost you more at Size, but they’re more than likely different, or limited edition, and for any sneakerhead, it’s a bonus worth the price tag.
And that was just the first floor. If the giant Converse boot on the ground floor doesn’t tickle you (it still amuses me to this day) then there’s the basement, dedicated to the über-​cool Adidas Originals brand. Everything is organised by colour palette and is typical of the Originals brand, again it’s a bit pricey, but if you’re a fan of the brand it’s totally worth it to pick up something fairly unique.
Once you’ve hit Adidas, jump in the lift, take the two floors up and get off at the equally über-​cool clothing department. Again there is staff on hand to provide informed answers to questions, and that’s not forgetting the chance to browse the familiar brands with a different twist to them.
If you like the idea of your Nike and your Lyle & Scott, or your Adidas and your Stussy all under one well informed, friendly and varied roof, check out Size on Vicar Lane, Leeds.