Three Ways to Style the adidas Samba

ICYMI - the adidas Samba is easily one of the most sought-after sneaker styles this year. Having started its journey as an indoor football shoe, the cult-classic model is steeped in history, but that’s still a far-cry from the street-style stardom its enjoyed throughout 2022.

This year, searches for the adidas Sambas have increases 10x over, with the style selling out time and time again. The kicks have been spotted on celebs such as Bella Hadid and Kaia Gerber, and thanks to collaborations with Wales Bonner, and an upcoming collab with Pharrell Williams’ Humanrace, the Samba hype doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon, either.

Given that past sneaker trends have tended to lean a little more on the chunky side, for those that are new to its sleek silhouette, it can be a little tricky to style. If you’ve been itching to add a pair to your rotation but styling them has left you a little stumped, then listen up, as we’ve pulled together three fail-proof ways to work them into you wardrobe. Read on to see our recommendations, and hit the links to shop as you go!

First up, we’ve kept things simple with a classic, neutral grey Samba colourway. Opting for a colour like this is easily one one of the most versatile ways to wear this sneaker, so if you’re new to the slim and sleek silhouette its the perfect starting point. This pair comes in a full suede build and features perforations for breathability, as well as the classic layered toe-cap as a design detail. 3-Stripe detailing arrives in a bright white on the side walls, and classic Trefoil branding hits the heel.

We’ve teamed this pair with another of our favourite 2022 trends: a cosy Sherpa fleece. This adidas Adicolor Half-Zip is the perfect match, and features a Trefoil badge at the chest, and Three-Stripes down the arms. It features a loose fit, the option of an open-neck or turtle neck, plus some front pockets to keep your hands nice and warm.

The 3-Stripes’ collab with Gucci was one of the biggest talking points of 2022, and it was clear that from that moment on, 70s style was in. Though the original capsule featured some collaborative Gazelles, it's no stretch to swap the style out for Sambas, which is exactly what we’ve done here.

Here, we’ve styled a pair of blue Sambas with pieces from adidas’ own 70’s inspired Adicolor collection. To create a bold, statement look we picked out pieces that arrived in the same bright blue hue, such as these wide-legged knit joggers and this oversized sweatshirt. We love that the detailing comes from the contrasting white stripes, and the Samba’s gum sole really stands out here, too.

For this ‘fit, we’ve gone for a more Gorpcore-inspired look, and one that we know Bella Hadid would be proud of. Here, we’ve managed to compile two of this year's hottest items (parachute pants and Sambas of course) for a more edgy look that Instagram and TikTok will lap up.

On top, Emily wears the adidas Cut-Out Top. Featuring a cute slashed neckline, the top still has long sleeves, making it ideal for when you want something a little dressier but also want to stay warm. Its cropped, tight fit makes it super flattering, which means it's the perfect item to put together with a pair of parachute pants.

Easily 2022s must-have trouser style, parachute pants take the ‘tiny top, big pants’ trend to the next level. Cut in a wide, balloon-style fit, they should be elasticated at the ankle, allowing you to flex your kicks as part of your fit. Here, we’ve opted to offset the Khaki tone with a bright orange pair of Sambas, letting the shoes do the talking.

Which look are you going for? Let us know by tagging us in your LPU shots on Instagram, and be sure to head over to adidas to check out the rest of the range.