Every fall, a few of us decide that this is the year we finally buy the cool sneakers instead of the sensible ones. If that is you, the new adidas Originals x Wales Bonner collection released globally October 29, through adidas, the CONFIRMED app and select retailers.
Grace Wales Bonner has been designing with adidas for years, and her versions of the Samba and Gazelle helped start the slim-sneaker trend that is still everywhere. This season she looked to London in the 1980s, and the campaign was shot by photographer Harley Weir.
On her own site, Wales Bonner describes the season as a return to the archive, with "rich jewel tones" meeting elevated materials and refined tailoring meeting sportswear. The 1980s London reference is about a moment "when cultures collided and a new way of dressing grew out of youthful expression."
The sneakers
The WB Karintha comes in dark brown crocodile-stamped leather with gold-toned eyelets. It is the pair that looks most like a loafer, which makes it the easiest to wear with trousers and the most office-friendly sneaker in the drop. The WB Gazelle arrives in green crocodile-stamped leather, a low-profile classic in a color that plays well with denim, camel and gray.
For something sportier, the WB ADIZERO Adios Suede reworks a running shoe in suede with custom Three Stripes. And the WB BW Pony pairs a pony-hair upper with lizard-stamped leather overlays, for anyone who wants a sneaker that feels like a texture story rather than a gym shoe.
The clothes
The apparel includes a leather blouson with crochet side stripes, jersey tracksuits, pinstripe separates, football-inspired pieces and knitwear, with bags, a lanyard and socks on the accessories side. The heart of it is that blouson, cut in the label's signature bark shade. Pricing was not in the adidas launch announcement, and listed prices vary by region and retailer, so check individual listings, and expect the most talked-about sneakers to sell out first.
How we would wear it
Put the brown croc Karinthas with a straight-leg trouser and a gray crewneck, and you have something polished you can walk in all day. The green Gazelles want dark denim and a long camel coat, where the green is the interest and everything else stays quiet. And if you want the full Wales Bonner mix of sporty and pretty, throw the tracksuit jacket over a slip skirt with ankle socks.
Should you chase it?
Wales Bonner releases tend to move quickly, and resale prices can climb fast. If one style is on your list, set a reminder for adidas and the CONFIRMED app instead of waiting for a restock. If you miss it, a regular brown suede Gazelle gets you most of the look for far less, and nobody at brunch will know the difference.
