Find the answers to your most frequently asked questions about Common Projects sneakers, including: how do Common Projects fit, how to lace Common Projects, and are Common Projects worth it?

Established in 2004 by V Magazine art director Peter Poopat and Italian footwear consultant Flavio Girolami, Common Projects was a pioneer in the high-end sneaker industry. 

Dissatisfied with what the market had to offer, Poopat and Girolami set out to create a minimalist sneaker that would bridge the gap between luxury brands like Gucci and athletic lines like Adidas. A shoe with a timeless appeal, that could be easily dressed up or down, crafted from luxurious materials.

“I have some pairs that I’ve been wearing for over four years, and when I pull them out I still get more compliments than anything else in my closet. It’s a sneaker that everyone in the world knows about.” – Jim Moore, GQ Magazine

So the Achilles was born–a sleek, understated sneaker, the only visible branding being the iconic ten golden numbers stamped on the outer heel of each shoe. These digits represent the article number, size, and color.

Today, Common Projects is one of the most successful and recognized footwear labels out there. The iconic Achilles sneaker is now available in a rainbow of colors, but the brand’s offer has expanded to include more sporty styles, such as the Track 80 sneakers, as well as classy Chelsea boots and loafers. 

Today, we answer your most frequently asked questions about Common Projects.

How do Common Projects fit?

So, how do Common Projects fit — small or large or true to size?

Here’s everything you need to know about the label’s sizing before you make your purchase:

• Like most made in Italy footwear brands, Common Projects uses Italian/European sizing (the two terms are interchangeable). If you’re not sure how this translates to US sizing, read our shoe size conversion article. 
• Common Projects shoes come in whole sizes. If you are in between sizes or you have particularly wide feet, we recommend sizing down. The shoes might feel a little tight at first, but the leather will soften with time.
• Common Projects Chelsea boots run large. We recommend you go down one size, i.e. if you typically wear a EU size 41, it is best to order a EU size 40.
• For all styles, we recommend comparing measurements with a similar shoe you already own. 

Common Projects Size Chart

How to clean Common Projects

Common Projects shoes are an investment—they’re made in Italy using only the finest leather, so, if properly taken care of, they will last you a lifetime.

Aside from storing them away from moisture, dust, and direct sunlight, here’s what you can do to care for your Common Projects: 

• Leather: regularly use a soft, lightly dampened cloth to remove any dirt and grime and prevent build-up. Be careful not to scrub too hard, or the signature golden numbers might come off.
• Suede: gently brush the suede using a quality crêpe brush, which is especially designed for suede and nubuck care, to remove dirt and grime. English footwear enthusiast Nigel Cleaver recommends using steam to reinvigorate your suede, as well as waterproofing spray. 
• Soles: regularly clean the soles of your shoes using a damp cloth and neutral detergent. You can also use a toothbrush to remove dust and debris. 
• Laces: remove the laces and hand wash them using a mild detergent. Air dry at room temperature.

Find out more on how to care for leather shoes.

How to lace Common Projects

It’s all about the small details…and how you lace your shoes can transform your overall look. Heres how to lace Common Projects sneakers.

If you want your Achilles sneakers looking their best, forget the classic bunny ear bow. We recommend you tuck in your laces instead–pull the laces as tightly as you like, then tuck them inside of the sneakers. This will result in a sleeker, more polished look. 

If you’re afraid your shoe will slip right off your foot, you can tie your laces as usual, then hide them under the tongue. Experiment and see what works best for you!

And remember: when storing your shoes, make sure you untie the laces!  

Are Common Projects worth it?

It’s no secret that Common Projects are pricey–the iconic Achilles sneakers retail for around $400. But are they worth the price? Yes, absolutely!

Why?

It all comes down to quality.

While the company’s headquarters are in New York City, all Common Projects shoes are handmade in a footwear factory in the Marche region of Italy, using traditional artisan techniques. Before Poopat and Girolami took over, the factory specialized in leather dress shoes.

Common Projects shoes are made using only the finest materials: Italian calfskin, nappa leather, suede, patent leather… The Chelsea Boots are constructed from premium suede with an elasticated gusset and rubber crepe sole.

So, while Common Projects are expensive, the price is definitely reflective of the quality.

And if you choose to invest in a pair of Achilles sneakers, you don’t have to worry about them every going out of style! As Jim Moore, creative director of GQ magazine, stated a few years back:

“I have some pairs that I’ve been wearing for over four years, and when I pull them out I still get more compliments than anything else in my closet. It’s a sneaker that everyone in the world knows about.”

Luckily, we always have a large selection of Common Projects sneakers for women and Common Projects sneakers for men, and consistently have the best pricing offer in the market.

About the Author

Alex English is the Head of Content Marketing at italist.com, building on a lifelong passion for fashion and luxury. After publishing a lifestyle blog for nearly ten years and obtaining an MBA in Milan at SDA Bocconi, one of Europe’s top business schools, he joined the italist team in 2019. His work since then has focused on upper-funnel messaging, brand storytelling, establishing italist as a thought leader in the space, and enriching the customer experience on the platform. Find him on LinkedIn.