How to Style the Adidas Samba - for Flannels
The hottest sneakers in the game? This is how to style them. Originally published in the Flannels Style News.
The Adidas Samba. You won’t have scrolled far on your IG feed recently without spotting a pair of these iconic lace-up trainers on the feet of someone beautiful. The viral shoe hailed by Lyst as ‘the sneaker of the year’ is a celebrity and influencer favourite, worn by everyone who’s anyone, from Bella Hadid and Kaia Gerber to Hailey Bieber and Rhi Rhi. But the It-girl favourite is nothing new. Launched in 1949, these retro trainers go way back and have a storied, celeb-studded past.
Originally designed for playing football, Sambas soon made their mark off the pitch when UK football’s terrace ‘Casuals’ adopted them during the 1970s. Across the pond, Adidas’ tight links to American hip hop and skate culture saw the brand adopted by both tribes. Fast forward to the ‘90s and Sambas were a Britpop favourite, worn by Oasis’ Gallagher brothers as they battled it out to reign supreme on the UK music charts. They have the sort of hyper-cool heritage and cultural cachet that most trainers can only dream of and are Adidas’ second most popular design of all time.
Now a ‘clean girl aesthetic’ staple, the Samba’s preppy all-American vibes are tempered by its serious football and music industry associations. A shoe with a low-profile silhouette but a seriously high profile in all other respects, here’s how to wear the It-trainer of the moment.
SNEAKER CHIC
We’re no strangers to trainers as after-dark attire here at FLANNELS. Whether you’re dressing up for the office or heading ‘out-out’, a pair of Sambas can hold their own against the best stilettoes out there. And they’re not in the business of pinching your toes.
A black draped mini skirt serves as a smart base for this dressed-up look. Pair with Prada’s boxy camp-collar shirt – cut in silk with feminine floral embroidery that’s off-set by a sporty, retro silhouette. It’s peak athletic glam, as only Prada can.
But the devil is in the details. And this devil likes to shine. We’re going for unapologetic glamour here. Think crystals, rhinestones, and more rhinestones. Moschino’s embellished black satin bag fits the bill, and Saint Laurent’s oversized double hoop earrings ensure your Sambas go from day to night with the ease of a seasoned fashion professional. The devil wears Adidas now, too.
IT-GIRL COOL
Dress code: cool casual. We’re serving up a heavy dose of laid-back luxe with Acne’s khaki camo joggers. Paired with your classic black and white Sambas and a black leather vest, this look references the camo-wearing Samba heyday of ‘80s casual culture and ‘90s Britpop we talked about earlier. Play alongside some accessory fashion heavyweights with a touch of the noughties about them – Givenchy’s denim Antigona bag and elite eyewear courtesy of Bottega Veneta’s cult intrecciato sunnies. The cornerstones of cool-girl dressing.
An oversized Acne stripe shirt provides a bit of polish. You want to look like you tried, but not too hard. Ultimately, it all comes back to the trainers. Your look is only as good as the Sambas you wear it with, after all.
OFF-DUTY ATHLETIC
Lean into the preppy, sporty aesthetic by pairing your Sambas with a diamond-knit sweater and a pair of knee-high socks. Prada’s camel-coloured cashmere polo wouldn’t look out of place on a (very stylish) golf course and really hits the ‘modern preppy’ mark. Like Cher Horowitz and Elle Woods were actually millennials and met and had a fashion baby.
Before someone mistakes you for a 1990s Ivy league graduate, dress it down with a pair of denim shorts. The low waist Bermudas paired with Acne’s oversized leather bomber pay homage the Samba’s Hip Hop history. A-listers Rhianna and Hailey Bieber have vouched for the Samba-and-shorts combo – both have been spotted wearing their black classics with a pair of denim cut-offs.
To finish, Bottega Veneta’s coveted Kalimero Cha-Cha bag brings the whole ensemble firmly up to date and into the world of fashion It-girl cool.