Meet your favourite new trainers
Style-savvy and ultra-comfortable, adidas’s new sports-luxe, ‘90s remakes will seriously raise your fashion game
In the not too distant past, football casual days were the exclusive preserve of men, and sneakers were reserved for the gym, Saturday morning walks and maybe a quick foray to the supermarket. But these days they’re off-duty as well on-duty essentials – and adidas has just delivered some new front runners.
The new adidas look is a chunky, retro-inspired, slightly off-kilter runner that oozes ‘90s nostalgia. Superlatively Instagram-friendly, you’ll find them on the feet of everyone worth getting sartorially inspired by.
Established in 1949 by Adi Dassler (ergo the name), since its inception the sportswear brand has been producing forward-thinking, technically finessed sneakers, which have been adopted by top athletes, sports fans and the stylishly savvy alike. Known for creating iconic designs with supreme functionality, the brand has shifted people’s expectations of what a sports shoes should look like. Instantly recognisable, you don’t need to be a sneakerhead to be au fait with the Gazelle, Stan Smith or Superstar.
The famous three stripes were originally there to reinforce the construction of the shoe; Adi experimented until he found the optimal number and he also played with colour. Always aspiring to produce a distinctive trainer, the focus of the brand's first designs was to make it clear that athletes were wearing adidas. Fast-forward to 2019 and continuing in Adi’s convention-bucking footsteps, the new wave adidas is making a name for itself with chunky shapes and loud colour combinations – no stripes or athleticism necessary.
adidas debuted the Falcon Dorf in 1997 and its relaunch gives a nostalgic nod to the original’s iconic spirit, with vibrant colourways, metallic finishes and a chunky silhouette. A hybrid of running shoe and innovative design, it perfectly adheres to the principle of form follows function with its supremely comfortable cushioned sole and fashion-forward style, nailing the Zeitgeist once again.
In beautiful contrast, the Yung 1 is a palette cleanser to the Falcon, a clean and reminiscent take of the late ‘90s, early noughties trainer. Also chunky, but in oat-colored white and soft nubuck, it promises to be your new all-day-everyday sneaker.
So how do you make these chunky design icons your new best fashion friend? Considering they are like walking on clouds, easy. The key, though, is to not look like you’re going to the gym, soccer mom vibes are out. So steer clear of pairing them with workout gear and think sports luxe instead, mixing it up with an oversized feminine dress, loose suit or classic trench layered over a hoodie and separates. And you can ramp it up for evening by teaming with a sassy minidress. Suffice to say that along with the extra height these new adidas styles will seriously raise your fashion game.