The sneaker was once the practical part of an outfit. Now, it is often the entire point.
The latest Adidas Originals by Wales Bonner collection makes a particularly persuasive case. Familiar silhouettes return with a more decadent attitude, from crocodile-stamped Karintha and Gazelle styles to the pony-hair BW. Rich colour, unexpected texture and elegant detailing give them enough polish to accompany tailoring, fluid skirts and even evening pieces.
For something rarer and a little less well behaved, adidas x Song for the Mute offers distressed Sambas and reworked SL 72 Pros that appear to have already lived an interesting life. Their softened shapes and deliberately worn finishes bring the right amount of friction to feminine dresses and precise separates.
Alohas provides the cleaner counterpoint. Its understated, low-profile sneakers are easy enough for a day spent shopping, but polished enough to continue on to lunch with friends and whatever happens afterwards.
The appeal lies in the styling. Wear an expressive sneaker with a minimal suit, use a distressed pair to interrupt a romantic skirt, or let a sleek white style sharpen relaxed denim. These are no longer the shoes you change into when comfort becomes necessary. They are the flourishing final touch around which the rest of the look is built.
