Who says we’re sloppy dressers? Walk down Orchard Road and you will easily find Singaporeans clad in the latest kicks. Sneakers have taken the sartorial world by storm, and we are well caught up in this booming trend. Casual, comfortable and effortlessly chic, these shoes are going beyond functional footwear, fast evolving into a wardrobe staple.
However, with new styles and colourways dropping faster than you can say hypebeast, it can be challenging to hop on the sneaker bandwagon and actually stay on it. Here’s our take on 9 classic designs that have stood the test of time – if you could only wear one pair of shoes for the rest of your life, one of these will be it.
1. Adidas Stan Smith
If there’s one shoe that reigns supreme (indefinitely) in the sneaker world, it is the Adidas Stan Smith. These shoes were first released in 1965 in the original green colourway. Simple, classic and sleek, this iconic silhouette endorsed by U.S. tennis legend Stan Smith is the true embodiment of ‘less is more’.
S$139, available at selected Adidas outlets
2. Nike Air Jordan 1
These bad boys have amassed a longstanding following ever since its release. Its wearability, athlete endorsement (by a bigwig in the basketball scene that is Michael Jordan) and appeal to both basketball fans and sneakerheads alike propelled the Air Jordans to cult status. Nike has since released countless variations of this iconic shoe over the years, while still maintaining the old school silhouette that makes them a long time favourite.
S$119-339, available at Limited Edt and selected Nike outlets
3. Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
What sneaker dreams are made of. Chucks will always hold a special place in our teenage hearts; you can’t go wrong with these legendary high tops. The recently redesigned model now sports a padded tongue, perforated inner lining and a softer sole without compromising on the classic design. Now you can rock this nostalgic pair with extra comfort.
S$109.90, available at Leftfoot and Converse stores
4. Nike Air Force 1
This legendary basketball shoe has become a hallmark of street culture. An iconic Nike must-have with an instantly recognisable silhouette, the Air Force 1 not only checks all the boxes in the style department, but is also the first shoe to be fitted with the revolutionary Nike Air technology.
S$129-319, available at Saints and selected Nike outlets
5. New Balance 574
Fans of New Balance, you probably already own a pair of 574s – the label’s mothership model. This is the most popular sneaker from the brand’s lifestyle and retro category, and has since been released in every colourway imaginable. Versatile, casual and wearable, the 574s deserve a permanent place on the shelf.
S$74.90, available at New Balance Concept store
6. Adidas Superstar
This three-striped sneaker with its all-leather upper and iconic shell-toe design needs no further introduction. Superstars were inspired by basketball shoes in the 70’s and are deeply favoured by indie punks, basketball fans and high street models alike. It made a phenomenal resurgence in 2014, and shows no signs of abating.
S$149, available at selected Adidas outlets
7. Puma Suede
First made popular by Olympic track star Tommie Smith and legendary basketball player Walt Frazier, the Suede has remained a highly coveted pair of Puma kicks to date. The classy suede upper and stitched rubber outsole scream retro chic. Pair this with jeans and you’re good to go.
S$79-129, available at selected Puma outlets
8. Nike Cortez
A pioneer in the running world, the Nike Cortez is a long time cult favourite amongst sneaker fans. It is one of the first sneakers that kickstarted the athleisure trend, and has since been released in many different colourways. Our favourite will always be the original Cortez Classic with its varsity red Nike Swoosh and herringbone patterned outsole.
S$99.90, available at selected Nike outlets
9. Onitsuka Tiger Corsair
The Corsair oozes old school cool. Its track shoe silhouette and iconic curvaceous ‘tiger stripes’ weaving on the sides have crowned it one of the most recognisable and timeless sneakers of all time. It strikes the perfect balance between timeless and retro – an ideal pair for everyday casual wear.
S$99.90, available at Onitsuka Tiger stores and selected Tangs outlets
While it is not easy to keep up with volatile sneaker trends, you don’t need to sell and arm and a leg to own all the latest releases in an attempt to stay in style. Sometimes all you need to do is to stick to the classics – a pair of timeless kicks goes a long way.
(header image: askavetquestion)
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