As someone who became a teenager in the '90s, casual sportswear was a big deal. Britpop stars such as Damon Albarn and Liam Gallagher were often spotted wearing Adidas zip-ups and T-shirts. The Spice Girls had Sporty Spice, whose whole "thing" was wearing sportswear. Then, in 1997 Jason Nevins's remix of Run-D.M.C.'s "It's Like That" came out, and it once again made me consider sportswear in a way I hadn't before. I loved how casual it was but how, when kept pristine, it still looked smart. I could probably go on, but all of these above influences played a role in my love of layering casual sports tops, trousers and sneakers into my own wardrobe. There are three vintage Adidas pieces I wear regularly: a pair of Firebird tracksuit trousers, a classic T-shirt and a vintage Originals jacket. Thankfully, Adidas hasn't left us scrabbling around for the quality vintage pieces in retro shops—it knows that its customers love this side of the brand, which is why its Adilette slides continue to be popular years after they were first launched.
Created in the '70s, the slides have become iconic. Initially, they were designed to be worn around the pool, but then we started wearing them as a fashion piece. Celebrities and influencers alike have been pictured wearing them. While their popularity arguably peaked around 2016 or 2017, I still love wearing these sandals with an array of outfits.
I managed to nab myself a pair of the white with black stripes a few years ago. Sadly, they no longer fit me (when I was pregnant, my feet got bigger, and yes, that happens), but I'm still keen to bring you an ode to one of my favourite-ever pairs of footwear. When you layer in sportswear to your look, it immediately gives it a more casual vibe. I personally love the graphic nature of the designs, but also, being overly polished isn't my thing.
To prove to you how versatile these shoes can be, I've put together five outfits that I'd wear with these sandals. Trust me—they can go with everything in your wardrobe. Keep scrolling for more.
SHOP THE ADILETTE SLIDES:
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