5 Wildly Different Ways To Style The Sneaker Everyone At R29 Is Wearing

The premise: two R29 staffers self-isolating on opposite coasts — with even more opposite personal styles. One internationally beloved sneaker. Very minimal rules.

To celebrate the latest drop of the adidas Originals Superstar, senior editor Lexy Lebsack and I were tasked with the following challenge: to build WFH-appropriate fits around the newest version of the 50-year-old trainer, which spiffs up the classic (long live the shell toe) with details like pastel stripes and a fringed tongue. "Hmm, an intriguing premise to be sure," you might be saying to yourself at this point. "But just how different can their styles be?"

Exhibit A: Lexy used the words "sporty" and "black" when describing her dress sense; I'm happiest wearing at least two colors and three clashing prints (at the same time), and the closest I get to athletic wear is cricket sweaters. (You, again: "Oooh, I get it now.") So with that crucial background knowledge out of the way, how did we each interpret the prompt? Keep clicking to find out.

"Is this thing on? This is Big Collar Energy reporting for duty from my building's courtyard, wearing an all-vintage/secondhand fit built around my Superstars, which have a fringed tongue that recalls derby shoes. The Pope/frilled-dragon situation around my neck, ribbed Dueple socks in pistachio, and a bit of contortion all help me flex on everyone on this video conference call."

Adidas Superstar FR Shoes, $, available at AdidasJen Mulrow

"Nothing tempers a classic black suit like a pair of fresh white adidas Originals Superstars and a simple tee. Not only is a suit with sneakers unexpected, but it's versatile and, let's be honest, stupid comfortable. Who has time for heels in 2020, especially on a socially distanced walk? Not me."

Adidas Superstar Shoes, $, available at Adidas

"A clean white Superstar is the ideal plus-one on a big night of dancing around the living room, as it complements my peekaboo Megan O'Cain dress and lets me bop around until the wee hours, even when my tech-house alter ego DJ Crudo accelerates the bpm to 165. Plus, at Club Chez Moi, there's no bouncer to tell you to get off the furniture."

Adidas Superstar FR Shoes, $, available at AdidasGraham Glaser

"Sheer, sporty, oversized — this combination doesn’t really make any sense, but all together, it’s actually the perfect weekend outfit. Even if I'm just hanging on my roof logging into a friend's virtual birthday party. The fitted turtleneck dress, paired with a short slip, is dressy enough for any party but made cool with a men’s denim jacket and white adidas Originals Superstars." 

Adidas Superstar Shoes, $, available at Adidas

"I know I said I don't do sporty, but sporty ≠ streetwear. To play off the dip-dyed baby tee and motocross-inspired pant, both by Toqa, I paired them with a simple, old-faithful Superstar — the shape and bright white hue support all that color and print, kind of like how this ensemble gives me the emotional/mental boost to keep calm and carry on back inside."

Adidas Superstar FR Shoes, $, available at AdidasJan Vincent Gonzales

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