Over the last few years, one sneaker has dominated the zeitgeist: Adidas Sambas. While you could hardly walk down the block without seeing the sleek sneaker, they also enchanted celebrities—Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Harry Styles among them. The sneakers have spawned collaborations from the likes of Wales Bonner, Dover Street Market, and even Dinsey. But after a prolonged period of exposure, it seems like the Samba hype is finally dying down. So why do I want a pair now more than ever?
Struck with a case of Not Like the Other Girls Syndrome, I resisted buying Sambas when they were poised to become the next big sneaker, sticking instead to my checkerboard Vans slip-ons and lace-up Pumas. But I couldn’t help but admire the Sambas’ slim silhouette as I saw people like Kaia Gerber, Hailey Bieber, and Gigi Hadid incorporate them into their everyday style. Even Harry Styles and Paul Mescal gave me pangs of envy when I saw them in their kicks.
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I can’t help but feel a little silly worrying about the “right” time to buy a pair of Sambas. They’ve proven their staying power since 1949 when they were designed for athletes to train on icy terrain all winter long. Since then, they resonated across communities, finding fans amongst soccer players and skateboarders, Oasis members, and fashion girls alike. They’re classics, for God’s sake, and this moment is not the first or last time they’ll be popular.
So, if you (like me) need a friendly reminder: who cares what’s trending? Nothing about a pair of black-and-white tennis shoes will ever be anything but timeless.
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