Tennis is arguably the most stylish sport, and if we were to pick one concrete example of that, it’s the adidas Stan Smith. The footwear icon first hit shelves in 1965 and has remained virtually unchanged for the whole of its 56-year life. An entire generation of trends and styles have flown by while the adidas Originals Stan Smith has kept calm and done its minimal thing. Oh, it’s Raf Simons’ personal favorite, too, and if that’s not an argument for it being one of the greatest footwear designs ever, then we don’t know what is.
We said it's virtually unchanged, but it's not. This year, the Stan Smith franchise got a new, more sustainable update. Your Stans now feature a Primegreen upper which means that it's made from at least 50 percent high-performance recycled materials.
But the white tennis sneaker’s true power rests in its understatement. No matter what your style, the Stan Smith is an unimposing staple to finish your fit, tying loose ends together. Thanks to the uncomplicated design, little details make all the difference, and that’s why picking the right pair of Stans is more complicated than you might think.
Of course, you can’t go wrong with the classics, but if you’re looking for an alternative take on the style it’s worth paying close attention to detail. From rearranged perforations to retro sole units, we’ve rounded up ten of the best adidas Stan Smith colorways available right now and they prove that true beauty is found in the simple things.
Shop ten of our favorite adidas Stan Smith colorways below.
Green
Let's start this one where it all began. This classic tennis shoe is probably the most versatile design on the market. Its unmistakable green and white palette holds weight in all circles.
Black
Some of us love to keep things murdered out, and what better way to do it than with a trusty old Stan Smith. This triple-black iteration works with everything from sweatpants to tailored trousers.
White
On the other end of the scale, the triple-white Stan is a quietly confident touch. It says, "I know you're looking, even though I didn't ask you to."
Kermit
The Stan Smith also makes the ideal blank canvas for collaborations and exclusive colorways. This Kermit-endorsed pair sees the three-stripe perforations reordered into the shape of a 'K' to the sides as well as froggy green trims and embossed lettering to the heel. Small details go a long way here, we already told you that.
Navy
If you're looking for a slight elevation on the OG Stan Smith, look no further than this retro-leaning pair. An off-white sole unit combines with dark navy trims and gold-foil lettering to the side for a sense of time-tested sophistication.
Collegiate Green
Carrying the same nostalgic detailing as our previous selection, this Collegiate Green pair adds a mature twist to the green classic. Proof that with a shoe as simple as the Stan Smith, tiny visual adjustments like embossing make all the difference.
Hulk Smash
Part of the adidas Originals x Disney collection, this pair features clever detailing to make its mark. A transparent sole unit offers a view of Hulk's fist breaking through the outsole while The Incredible Hulk's face replaces Stan Smith on the tongue.
Velcro
The Velcro Stan Smith is criminally underrated. With three fastening straps replacing the laces, this design feels even more stripped-back than the OG build.
Halo Ivory
This ethereal take on the classic boasts a Halo Ivory tongue, Halo Blue heel tab, and Cloud White upper for a celestial finish that styles with literally everything.
Tinkerbell
another part of the adidas Originals x Disney collection, Tinkerbell gives this pair a much sweeter finish than the Hulk. Gradient laces work through a range of pastel colors to match the heel tab while an almost imperceptible Tinkerbell silhouette graces the Three Stripes.
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