(BALTIMORE – February 14, 2026) – I first heard Mario Armstrong claim to be a sneakerhead years ago. I stored it in the back of my brain. But truth be told, I have always been a sneakerhead, long before the word even existed.
It was 1977. I had just gotten a pair of Nike Bruin sneakers. Leather kicks were brand new to us. Before that, it was Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars and Jack Purcells. Other brands tried their hand, but by 1980, I had officially fallen in love with a pair of red suede Pumas. To this day, that love remains.
More Than Just Shoes
In urban environments, your sneakers are part of your identity. It is a cultural phenomenon, likely as old as man himself. I understand what it feels like to look down at your feet and see brand new kicks.
That feeling? Priceless.
Recently, we recognized Edward Johnson, Jr., a young man who has given away 35,000 pairs of sneakers to Baltimore youth. I understand that concept on a deep level. When you put fresh kicks on a young person’s feet, you are giving them more than shoes. You are giving them confidence. You are giving them posture. You are giving them a sense that they matter.
The Experiment
Puma, Nike, and other brands are producing some of the cleanest footwear we have seen in years. And with many manufacturers now designing dress shoes without hard bottoms, blurring the line between formal and casual, it got me thinking:
Can Kevin hook up outfits around classic sneakers?
When I say Kevin, I mean Kevin Scott, proprietor of Benedetto Haberdashery, which has recently relocated around the corner to 119 W. Mulberry Street in downtown Baltimore.
This week, I walked in with two pairs:
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Chocolate brown Puma Speedcat
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Powder blue Nike Air Force 1
I wanted to see what he would come up with.
The Verdict
I was mesmerized.
Kevin curated complete looks for each pair of sneakers, sophisticated, tailored, and uniquely Baltimore. Jackets with subtle texture. Trousers cut just right. Pocket squares that spoke without yelling.
Now, granted, a couple of pieces he pulled were above my pay grade, but they were dazzling nonetheless. The man understands proportion, color harmony, and confidence.
He did not just style sneakers. He elevated them.
Sneakerhead meets the haberdasher.
My take? Benedetto Haberdashery can hook you up at any level of sophistication you desire, from boardroom sharp to gallery-night smooth.
Thumbs up. Five stars.
Benedetto Haberdashery | 119 W. Mulberry Street | Downtown Baltimore
Stop by and let Kevin Scott style you right.
