It seems 2022 really is the year of the pre-loved sneaker — well, for Balenciaga at least.
After dropping those distressed Paris sneakers earlier this year, Balenciaga will once again turns its attention to the worn-in aesthetic for an adidas Stan Smith collaboration that's set to land as a part of the entire Balenciaga x adidas collection on November 3.
Balenciaga's pre-loved Stan Smiths will be available in well-scuffed in white, grey, and black, each of which is equipped with the squashed toebox and slightly-rounded midsole you get after a few good months of wear.
It's a daring look for the utilitarian tennis sneaker and an odd standout when sat beside the Balenciaga x adidas Triple S that was revealed as part of Demna's Spring/Summer 2023 collection.
First things first: I love Stan Smiths, but I’m not entirely fond of bedding them in, so the fact I’m now able to skip out the newborn stage is music to my feet.
As nice as a crisp crep is — all firm and unwrinkled — we’ve all gotten a new pair of sneakers and purposely scuffed them up a little so they don’t look too new, right? It’s only the sneakerhead traditionalists that keep things box-fresh nowadays.
But these well-worn Stan Smiths aren't for everyone, clearly. Reactions on social media range from "People will wear anything SMH" to "Love at first sight."
Again, the release date for the entire collection is slated for November 3 so you should be sporting your pre-loved Stan Smiths before Thanksgiving.
If you pre-ordered anything when the Balenciaga x adidas collection went up for pre-order this year, however, the estimated shipping date remains November 22.
In fact, that goes for the entire collection. While the sneakers might well become Balenciaga x adidas collab's focal point, the capsule on the whole is pretty impressive.
When it comes to pricing, things are, of course, on the loftier side. Balenciaga superfan @myfacewheno_o told Highsnobiety that adidas x Balenciaga prices will start from $795 for the oversized tee and go as high as $4,800 for a padded bathrobe, with the tracksuit jacket ($2,390), bomber ($3,050), over-the-knee knife boot ($2,250), and soccer shirt ($995) lingering in between.
Despite the high prices, though, if Balenciaga's previous collaborative drops are anything to go by, nothing will hang around for long.
