ONITSUKA TIGER’S RETRO COOL sneakers have the same camp connection to cool people of both sexes today as in the ’50s and ’60s, when they become really popular. With their low tops and fine soles, they seem just barely there, but the gorgeous combinations are rare among the other breeds of retro sneakers doing the rounds of the city. The Tiger sneakers come in chocolate, beige, white, black and yellow with colourful red, yellow, and white stripes on the side. Pair this with their great range of trainer tops for the original made in Japan retro vibe. They have come out with a great tome called Made in Japan which has fantastic interviews and photos of cult Japanese designers.

Have you ever tried a shoe Mongolian barbeque? The guys at Puma who married sport to fashion, and still remain committed to the cause, have this amazing concept store in California. At their Mongolian shoe BBQ corner you can dip into boxes of laces, tongue trimmings, toe overlays and heel caps in a huge number of colours to create sneaks that are then delivered to your doorstep in a bit. Your bespoke sneaker is bound to raise temperatures at the gym.

Patagonia’s honest approach to the environment has won it many fans among well-to-do sea-and-sun lovers for their extensive range of sportswear made from recycled materials. Like the board shorts made out of 100 per cent recycled polyester spun from trash, or organic cotton tees, camis, dresses, shorts, rashguards and hoodies -- even to the surfboards made with natural epoxy resins. Casuals for men, women and kids are usually together but don’t forget to head to Patagonia Ocean that stocks a range of wetsuits from recycled polyester and knee pads lined with organic merino wool.

Keeping with the ocean theme, while travelling don’t forget to check out Nautica’s new fragrance called Oceans that uses a technology for a perfume that’s not alcohol but water-based. It was conceived in collaboration with Michael Mane USA, who came up with a micro- emulsion that was stable in an aqueous environment. With its 100 per cent recyclable packaging, Nautica has a string of ecological accolades that includes being carbon neutral and using energy from wind turbines.

If the countryside beckons, head to this Italian brand with a Finnish name, Napapijri (the name means Arctic Circle). It pays homage to the Arctic expeditions of the early 20th century and is named after the Norwegian island of Napapijri which was the last place to buy rations before heading to the North Pole. Well known for their pricey urban casuals with big logos, also check out their down jackets, plain shirts, pants, belts, scarves, embroidered Norwegian sweaters and woolly hats for the entire family plus lots of backpacks to carry everything in. The Napapijri collections always come in many colours, have big logos and use expeditions as inspiration. Unsurprisingly, they also have a ski collection with matching parkas, trousers and sweaters, but most of their stuff is for the casual urban adventurer: think shopping, Frisbees and the occasional countryside walk.

Hot on the heels of the sports brands, with their loud designer collaborations and trumpeted marches up the high street, comes Le Coq Sportif. They are making the same transition but in a subtle, discreet French way. Set up in the late 1940s, Le Coq Sportif has essentially offered sportswear for soccer, running, tennis and recently, yoga. But the sporty cock now also adorns patent white-and-silver sports bags that are a great alternative as smart cabin baggage; slim soled sneakers in muted colours for men, women, kids and babies; gloves, hats and mufflers for a run in the park; and an extensive range of yoga gear for Sunday morning inner reflection. Reasonably priced with low key styles.

At North Face you are going to find sci-fi apparel, equipment and outdoor gear for adventurous men and women, and winning combinations of ski, snowboard and surf outfits that will make you look and feel (if not perform) like a winner under all sporting conditions.

Adolf Dassler created the Adidas Originals brand way back in 1924, and in this squeaky clean faux vintage pad you are privy to all that Adidas history in a contemporary, neon, metallic and sportswear-is-the-hippest thing in the world vibe. There are Stansmiths, Halfshells and Superstar sneakers in many colour combinations and training tops, pants, logos and tees all with the trefoil logo circa 1972. I love their Tokyo store, which not so long ago had a girly collection of sportswear designed by French street artist Fafi especially for Fafinettes (cute, sexy, free-thinking girls as the store staff explained to me). Men got Ali by Adidas, a range of great leisurewear emblazoned with Ali’s quotes.

At Adidas Performance Centre they turn your gym into the hottest catwalk in town. With Stella McCartney’s riveting pieces, you can throw away your old track suits and take up the co-branded collection of this sportswear giant. Girly hoodies for running in a body-hugging style with puff sleeves, crimson shorts with multicoloured tank-tops all in a very light breathable fabric. And, at last, a great winter sport collection and exciting swimwear with the right mix of sporty and sexy. And also tons of classic Adidas.

From frumpy tennis court gear to high fashion, this company, originally created by two tennis-loving brothers in 1966, has smartly undergone a chameleon change that has put five stripes and ubiquitous double D rings on the same level as the swoosh. More classic than its contemporaries, K-Swiss still sells its very first model, the all leather tennis shoe first released in 1966. But, while famous for their tennis, running and training shoes, they have finally launched into leisure apparel famously peddled by tennis’s dream girl Anna Kournikova.

Under Christophe Lemaire’s sporty energy, Lacoste retails its original French functionality, effortlessly blending the luxurious with the practical. His signature designs are all that you see here in the way of printed shirts, zipped jackets and pants. His blazers for women with sporty piping and large logos are well on the way to becoming daytime icons. The shop also spotlights tees, T-shirt dresses in myriad colours and sporty shoes that should never be called ‘sneakers’.

And finally for surfers, Quiksilver immediately transports you to the world of point break and the endless simmer. As the waves are not that far from town, you should get seriously interested in their bathing suits, surfing shorts and logo-emblazoned T-shirts and hoodies. Of course they have all the other necessary things, too: five and six metre surfboards, wet suits and waterproof watches. Quiksilver’s winter sport range equips you with heavy weather suits, goggles and headwear for skiing or snowboarding. Even for those who don’t indulge in extreme sport pastimes, the accessories here are superb gift ideas for the budding skier or surfer among friends or family.

Jahnvi Dameron Nandan is the author of Tokyo Style File. A self-confessed travelista with the budget issues of a fashionista, she is now working on her new book on design.

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