The Samba has been a staple for adidas for over 73 years. Today, both high fashion runways and everyday trendsetters are falling back in love with them. I know that for me personally, the adidas Sambas shoes caught my eye last fall, as I couldn’t possibly scroll through my Instagram feed without seeing them on the feet of multiple influencers and celebrities. On top of that pop culture craze, we can now also see them styled on just about every retail website.
Samba’s Soccer Origins
Because of this new modern fixation on the shoe, most people might not know that the Samba was originally designed as a soccer cleat. The Samba has truly been through a complete redesign, as it has been taken from the soccer field to runways all around the world. The adidas Samba went on to make an appearance at the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The shoe got its name from its attempt to gain popularity in the South American Market and drew a lot of its inspiration from Brazilian music and dance.
German Army Trainer Connection
If we want to take an even deeper dive, the adidas Samba originates from the German Army Trainer, which is a shoe that has become a well-known fashion staple with a cult following. Known for its low top construction, gum sole, and suede paneling on the toe, this shoe was originally designed with purposes deriving directly from its name. These simple yet impressionable shoes have been the idea generator for many other shoes we know and love.
The Samba Shoes: From Sports to Streetwear to Designer Collabs
Along with indoor soccer, skateboarders also adopted the adidas Samba in the 90s. Both durability and traction were big reasons why the sneaker had become so loved by these two groups. The Samba we see today is much more popular on the streets than it is in the soccer or skate communities. Popular collaborations with designers like Wales Bonner as well as celebrities like Jonah Hill and Pharrell have continued to give the shoe momentum in the ever-changing world of streetwear. The Samba even made it onto the LYST INDEX as #5 in the Q3 2022 Hottest Products top 10 list. The Sambas are a true testament to streetwear culture and the idea that they are meant to be accessible to anyone who wants to express themselves since they live with an affordable price tag.
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Written By Rachael Bernier – Web Coordinator – Fashionista reporting on the latest trends and streetwear news. With 1 year of experience in the industry under her belt, Rachael is ready to explore the world of streetwear with you.
