Sneakers from the brand Serge Blanco
Our sneakers Serge Blanco page showcases, when available, the shoes from the Toulouse-based brand founded with the back of the French XV: the Chamonix in canvas with speckled sole, the Val d'Isère, La Vernaz or La Durance with their alpine names. It tells the story of the brand and gives our size and care tips.
The sneakers Serge Blanco.
From polo to trainers: the brand of the full-back of the French rugby team
The brand Serge Blanco was born in the early nineties from a meeting between the former full-back of Biarritz, who was capped ninety-three times for France, and the Toulouse entrepreneur Jean-Jacques Lauby. Launched around a rugby piece, it quickly expanded to a complete men's wardrobe, including shoes. The trainers hold a special place: they express in an urban silhouette the spirit of the house's casual chic, balancing between sports heritage and everyday elegance. Remaining family-owned and based in Toulouse, the company designs its models for daily use, from weekdays in the city to weekends.
Chamonix, Val d'Isère, La Vernaz: models with alpine names
The brand's trainers bear names taken from the Alps: Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc, Val d'Isère, a resort in Tarentaise, La Vernaz, a village in Chablais in Haute-Savoie, and La Durance, a river that rises near Montgenèvre. The Chamonix is a lace-up canvas trainer, set on a speckled sole and available in several colours, including off-white and yellow. The other models continue this same urban spirit, with uppers and colours unique to each. All the lifestyle trainers can be compared on the sneakers page.
Canvas or leather: choosing your pair according to the season
A canvas trainer, like the Chamonix, is light and breathable: it complements spring and summer, but does not fare well in rain and puddles. A upper made of leather or coated material withstands moisture better and retains its shape longer, making it the choice for autumn and winter. The sole also matters: a thick rubber sole insulates from the cold ground, while a thinner sole prioritises lightness and flexibility. In terms of colour, off-white or cream goes with almost any outfit, while yellow and bright shades add character to a simple look.
Size and care for a canvas trainer
The length of the foot, measured in the evening from the heel to the longest toe, is compared to the brand's size chart; a canvas trainer stretches little, so it should not be chosen too snug. For care, remove the laces, dust the canvas with a dry brush, then clean it with soapy water using a soft brush, avoiding the washing machine, which can detach the sole. The speckled sole can be rubbed with a white eraser or a bit of bicarbonate. Drying should be done in the air, away from a radiator, with the shoe stuffed with newspaper to keep its shape.
Bargain tips
Good deals can be found in the promotions, clearance, sales, and Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections. Items shipped within 24 hours are prepared and dispatched in 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a stable order: Black Friday at the end of autumn, the year-end festivities, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, then the summer sales and back to school.
Frequently asked questions
Why do Serge Blanco trainers have names of alpine locations?
The brand chose to name its models after resorts, villages, and a river from the Alps, like Chamonix or Val d'Isère. These names give a unique identity to each pair, far from simple numerical references.
Who is behind the Serge Blanco brand?
The Lauby family, based in Toulouse: Jean-Jacques Lauby launched the brand with the former full-back of the French rugby team, and then his children Lionel and Elsa joined in 1997. The capital has remained entirely family-owned.
How do you whiten a trainer’s sole?
A paste of baking soda and water, applied with an old toothbrush and then rinsed, revives a yellowed or greyed rubber. For light marks, a simple white eraser will suffice.
Can canvas trainers go in the washing machine?
It's better to avoid it: heat and the drum can detach the sole and deform the canvas. If one decides to do it, choose a delicate cold cycle, with shoes protected in a mesh bag, followed by natural drying.
Which size to choose between two sizes?
The larger one, especially for a canvas trainer that stretches little: toes should have half a centimetre to a centimetre of space. A thin insole can compensate for a slight excess in length.
