From coast to coast (and cross the pond), youth style has reflected the heartbeat of a city's culture. Whereas in past decades, these snapshots of the freshest fits were tricky to find outside of city limits, the Dark Age has ended. The rise of social media has brought an international band of style influencers together and caused a few heated fights over who has the best pic for the ‘gram.
It’s a street style battle royale every time a sneaker drops, which might explain why Umbro’s latest kicks have inspired enough fire ‘fits to launch us into summer a month early. It could also be because the legacy sportswear brand combined some of our favorite things — chunky silhouettes and 90s throwbacks — for their Archive Research Project (ARP) sneakers.
Way back in the day, Umbro shot to fame thanks to the well-chiseled chests of football’s biggest stars. But, while they were outfitting Brazilian’s World Cup-winning team in ‘94 and the English Premier League in ‘98, they were also releasing a steady stream of chunky, stylish sneakers. Two decades later, Umbro’s ARP collection is bringing a wave of retro revivalism to streetwear with three of their ‘90s silhouettes: The Runner M, Neptune, and Exert Max.
You might’ve caught the mesh-lined, leather-paneled shoes flooding the ‘gram by now. As the ARP silhouettes and full ‘90’s-inspired Umbro Projects Collection dropped at Umbro, Foot Locker, or Urban Outfitters, fashion influencers coast to coast have rotated the kicks into their wardrobes.
We caught up a crop of fashion influencers already, but now it’s time to jump around the globe from the West Coast to London and everywhere in between to peep how they're rocking them. Drop a comment saying what fit is your favorite and for all the latest from the brand, follow Umbro on Instagram.
Shamaira brought classic, cozy realness to her Umbro Neptune.
Toreno slips into the ARP for errand runs and high fashion 'fits.
Destiny laced up her kicks and hit the aisles for a dose of retail therapy.
Dominic rotates his Umbros for morning runs and flex-filled weekends.
Carlita brings attitude to her university outfits with the Umbro ARP.
Alexander serves "janitor on vacation" looks in the ARP kicks.
Sangiev is channeling the '90s in his Umbro ARP kicks.
Walter's full Umbro fit is perfect for day parties and park runs.
Katelyn suits up and pares down her Umbro kicks for a DTLA-ready look.
