Sneaker trends come and go, but few have reached the dizzying heights of the Adidas Sambas.
In 2024, we saw the retro trainers go from a quietly beloved style to the cult shoe to be seen in — especially in bright red.
What started as a small trend amongst in-the-know influencers quickly spread to street-style scenes all over the world, and these days you'd be hard-pressed to leave your house without spotting a pair.
The Adidas Sambas in red have been incredibly popular in 2024. Image: Getty.
The popularity of Sambas might have something to do with the shoe movement that proceeded them: for years, the Yeezy effect was inescapable, with neutral-coloured, nondescript, foamy sneakers ruling at retail.
We were aching for something more interesting; something fun; something that felt like the complete opposite of a beige rubber shoe.
Watch: How the 'wrong shoe' theory works.
Rather than blending into your outfit, these old-school red sneakers added personality and spark. They made everything look instantly cooler. Once we got a taste for it, we started experimenting with other brightly coloured kicks, and Adidas' core styles, like the Gazelles and Spezials, had their moment in a rainbow of bold shades.
But now, another trend is hot on their heels. While statement sneakers aren't going anywhere, fashion experts are predicting 2025 will be the year that brown styles take over.
Put it down to the Miu Miu effect. As the most influential brand in the world, the Italian house knows what you'll be wearing next.
At Miu Miu's Spring/Summer 2024 show, designer Miuccia Prada debuted the sneaker that you've likely been seeing all over your Insta feed: an update of the New Balance 530 sneaker in brown suede.
The shoe was part of an ongoing accessory collaboration that fuses New Balance's sporty heritage vibes with Miu Miu's offbeat flair. The full collection offers classic trainers and mule hybrids in various shades of brown and cream that cost well over $1k a shoe.
Miu Miu Spring-summer 2024, and stylist Janka Polliani wearing the sneakers at Copenhagen Fashion Week. Images: Getty.
With the coveted range creating huge viral buzz and selling out online, it was only a matter of time before other brands took note. Now, we're seeing a growing appetite for brown styles from the likes of Nike, Puma, Adidas and Gola.
Where red sneakers added a cool pop of colour, brown shades have a grounding effect. They bring an earthiness which feels correct for fashion's current boho mood.
Turns out Pantone's Colour of the Year for 2025, Mocha Mousse, was right on the money. The trending shade is super versatile, effortlessly complimenting a neutral wardrobe and playing nicely with colours, too.
Chocolate hues are equally wearable — you can team dark brown trainers with your staple pieces like jeans, blazers and trenchcoats, or style them with activewear.
And there's a reason most of the It-trainers are suede — 2025 will be the year this soft textured leather takes over our wardrobes, from outerwear to handbags. But one of the easiest (and most affordable) ways to wear it is on your feet.
Here are the best and buzziest brown sneakers to know about and get your hands on before they sell out.
The Adidas SL72 in brown and burgundy. Image: Supplied.
The New Balance 574.
The Nike Cortez in Baroque Brown. Image: Supplied.
The Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66. Image: Supplied.
Gola Elan. Image: Supplied.
Adidas Spezial trainers. Image: Supplied.
The Puma Speedcat sneakers in this colourway are currently sold out, but available on the Puma website in other colours, including black and red.
Feature image: Instagram/@nlmarilyn; Getty Images.
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