If there is one sneaker that is visibly enjoying a comeback right now, it is the Adidas Samba. The vintage and beloved sneaker is striding straight back into the limelight and making itself seen in a big way. As the summer season springs into view, the iconic classic sneaker is bringing its own nostalgia back.
The sales boom is predicted due to various factors in the sneaker’s favor. Not simply a yearning for the past but a niche in the market where fashion meets function. The Samba has always had a timeless appeal and its renewed popularity looks to be down to a certain consumer trend. While a lot of the contemporary market seems chaotic and trendy, the Samba sits well with classic comfort and has a current appeal.
The Return Of The Classic Adidas Samba
The sneaker’s return can be quantified by various analytics. As you may expect, celebrity endorsements are key and the Adidas Samba has been worn by the likes of Rihanna, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, Frank Ocean, and A$AP Rocky. You can pretty much see a spike in searches for anything that an influencer praises on TikTok almost immediately. Each of those celebrity influencers has a huge following which can be objectively reflected in the data.
The search term, ‘Adidas Samba’ had been entered by around 980,000 people by 15th May according to Google Trends.
From the start of March, there was close to a 50% increase in the number of searches for the Adidas Samba.
Reasons Behind The Sales Boom
The sales boom has not come due from previous generations looking back to their youth yet has a more contemporary twist. Millennials and Gen Z have shown a keen interest in vintage fashion which can be represented by the Adidas Samba. While Rihanna, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid have been influential, TikTok fashion trends and recycled styles are also worth noting.
The Adidas Samba has a vintage charm that has seen demand rise amongst millennials and Gen Z. Its design is simple enough to work with many different outfits and the versatility is ever-appealing. Whether torn denim, wide-leg trousers, a crewneck sweatshirt, or chains, they can work with the Samba.
During the Seventies, the design was updated for a low profile combined with a classic upper body made from leather. The gum rubber outsole is enjoyably lightweight and the oblong tongue is a stylish touch. Its design has barely changed since then and so offers a vintage appeal.
One authoritative voice in the industry sees the rebirth as a combination of various factors coming together. According to Josh Herbert, the founder of Captain Creps, “The Adidas Samba is experiencing a rebirth – it’s the vintage charm meeting modern-day sustainability practices that’s driving this trend. We’re seeing an uptick in Samba sales and predict this demand to rise further. In a sea of high-tech, futuristic designs, it’s the simple, old-school Samba that is dancing its way into consumer’s hearts.”
The Appeal Of The Adidas Samba
In some respects, the Adidas Samba never went away yet it has returned with remarkable gusto. The sneaker was originally introduced back in 1950 by the Adidas founder, Adi Dassler, and was designed for footballers. Its design was initially seasonal and specific to allow footballers to train on treacherously icy outdoor grass pitches in the UK. Since then, the Samba became an indoor soccer shoe and has found a mainstream appeal on the streets.
Fast forward to the 21st century and the Adidas Samba is a beloved lifestyle sneaker. Though it has a somewhat simple design, therein lies a lot of its appeal. The construction is reassuringly sturdy and it has a huge versatility in colors.
Originally designed for sport, the sneaker now straddles between style and culture. You can now consider the Adidas Samba to be top-tier streetwear.
Final Thoughts
The Adidas Samba has a timeless, vintage silhouette that gives it a lasting impact in the sneaker world. It is pretty much the apex of athleisure across both sexes and a classic sneaker. While some sneakers come and go as trends shift, the Adidas Samba is a fixture in stores and on the street.
Like any sneaker, a new design may come and go yet its appeal looks to be eternal. Its rebirth can also be seen in how society values influencers, specifically Gen Z and millennials. While the Adidas Samba may have seemed like another vintage sneaker, it has been given a new lease of life and is enjoying a sales boom. Long may it continue.
