Adidas Originals x Sporty & Rich hits the ground running
The cult collaboration proves that the ‘refreshed prep’ look is your closet’s most valued player
You can spot a Sporty & Rich girl a mile off. She’s the one with a cricket sweater tied nonchalantly over her shoulders. She’s the one exiting the gym with a gargantuan luxury handbag (think Princess Diana at Chelsea’s Harbour Club in the ’90s). She’s got serious style but doesn’t take herself too seriously. It’s a lifestyle as much as a look. So, it’s not entirely shocking to learn that founder Emily Oberg started Sporty & Rich as an Instagram moodboard that reveled in vintage luxury sportswear, as seen at high-end country clubs and Ivy League colleges. What is surprising, however, is that she never had aspirations of making it into a ‘real’ brand.
Nevertheless, nearly a decade later, that’s exactly what Oberg has on her hands – a super-successful one at that. Today, Sporty & Rich is beloved by cool girls who veer towards low-key ’90s styles with a wink of irreverence added into the mix, courtesy of the witty slogans that gently send up the world of wellness (‘Be nice. Gets lots of sleep. Drink plenty of water’). Think uptown polish meets downtown humor.
Testament to Sporty & Rich’s major-player status, it is now releasing its second collaboration with another bonafide sportswear legend, adidas Originals, which has form when it comes to teaming up with zeitgeist brands (see Wales Bonner). These are two teammates that complement one another perfectly.
“Leaning into the retro-meets-modern stylings of both labels, the forever-stylish adidas ‘Samba’ sneakers are given a Sporty & Rich spin for summer
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So, what to expect? Leaning into the retro-meets-modern stylings of both labels, the forever-stylish adidas ‘Samba’ sneakers are given a Sporty & Rich spin for summer. Available in three colorways – white, blue, and cream leather – the classic kicks will look as good on the sports track as they do on a night out. A suitably luxe little touch? Each pair comes replete with a pearl keyring.
The ‘Sambas’ are just the start of the collaboration story, however. Together, the two brands propose a complete wardrobe for a preppy look with a swish of playfulness as archival apparel is updated for today with elevated details. Pieces to add to your wish list include T-shirts with the iconic three-stripe detailing, a V-neck sweater (think OG supermodel meets Brideshead Revisited and you get the picture), and cute shorts in cream, navy and white. Plus, there’s a soccer jersey that makes for an instant fashion goal, even if you have no intention of going anywhere near a playing field – there’s no judgement in the Sporty & Rich world.
Such is the easy attitude of the collection that it makes a compelling case for the new loungewear. Delivering comfort and style in equal measure – a signature move of both adidas Originals and Sporty & Rich – this is the most fun you’ll have in sportswear this season. In short? Expect these pieces to be your wardrobe’s most valued players.