There Is Life Beyond Adidas Sambas

13 other sneakers to consider

I have nothing against Adidas Sambas. For the uninitiated, they’re the fashionable sneaker du jour, worn by almost 65% of pedestrians crossing Lafayette Street after a pop into the Glossier store and a swing past Matchaful.

The shoe in question

That’s not fair. Some of my favorite people wear Sambas! And with good reason. The way I see it, here are the shoes most winning qualities.

1. Affordability—these shoes are, on average, under $100. Now if you decide to go the StockX route or are gunning for a random special edition, this isn’t true. But you could walk into the Adidas store in Soho and spend $100 on them.

2. Silhouette—they’re not too chunky. Nike AF1s make me look like I’m wearing these. Even in larger sizes, these are sleek.

3. Sock fluidity—hear me out: you can wear almost any sock with these sneakers. They’re fine for low socks, great for crew length, and engineered specifically for mid length.

Me, a girl in Soho not wearing Sambas

My self-imposed challenge is to curate a lineup of sneakers that fit the above criteria that aren’t being worn by most of Tiktok at this present moment. The hope? That if you arrive at a house party and take off your shoes among a sea of Sambas, your unique choice sets you up for a seamless Irish Exit later on that night.

Adidas Gazelle ($120)

The Gazelle is the only slightly cooler sister of the Samba. I like that the style comes in a sea of colors, making it easy to stake your claim in a fiery red or bright yellow. With great suede comes great responsibility, so maybe buy some of that spray your mom used to use on your Uggs? I wouldn’t want to get caught in the rain with these.

Outfit idea: Batsheva dress, garden tote overflowing with fennel, a crush on the oyster guy at the green market.

Sperry Racquet Oxford Sneaker ($75)

I’m a tireless advocate for boring sneakers. These from Sperry caught my eye at their preview a few months ago. My recent crush on Paul Newman, a famous Sperry lover, hasn’t really helped the caused. I wear mine all the time and appreciate how low stakes they feel. There’s something preppy that isn’t quite as committed a boat shoe.

Outfit idea: Paint-splattered overalls, this tshirt, no plans on a Saturday afternoon.

Adidas Predator ($100)

When presented with a Predator or a Samba, the answer feels pretty damn clear to me. The Predators have so many FUN color combinations that feel just crazy enough they’d go with anything. Do a little conversion from Men’s to Women’s or go try them on in the store. And then wear them around feeling smug about your coolness.

Outfit idea: Rollneck cardigan, Nike tempo shorts, and the keys to someone else’s beach house.

Feiyue Fe Lo 1920 ($35)

Sometimes I reveal a secret I’ve been keeping close to my chest on this Substack and wonder why. Why not keep these impossibly chic $30 sneakers to myself? Well, it’s because I didn’t discover them. Olivia Laing was wearing them in conversation with Stephanie Danler at Housing Works Bookstore in Soho maybe seven years ago.

Outfit idea: Underlined copy of Crudo, wide leg pants, and a tiny striped tshirt.

Onitsuka Tiger MEXICO 66 SLIP-ON ($140)

These shoes have been a fav of the fashion set in silver and yellow—both colorways I fully endorse—but why not take a walk on the neutral side? I wear my navy and canvas ones with outfits I want to downplay. The slip on style means they’re just as easy as sandals without the risk of stepping into a city summer puddle. If you don’t know that I’m talking about, lucky you.

Outfit idea: OOKIOH towel for reading on, nightgown, and a basket bag.

Gola Elan ($110)

If you’re dead set on suede, try browsing Gola for something a little more unique. I’ve owned a few pairs of their canvas sneakers over the years and like that they don’t feel too sporty. Instead, I imagine myself wandering Paris or slipping into a book talk without feeling like I’m fresh off a workoff.

Outfit idea: A white skirt that’s not overdone, an iced cortado, and a simple top.

Asics TIGER RUNNER II ($85)

There’s something a little 2010s nostalgic about this silhouette to me. If you’re going to pair your sneakers with socks and wear them mostly with jeans, these are for you. The Hawkeyes colorway is a winner. In a way, these feel a little more grown up, a bit more polished, and ready to be dressed up.

Outfit idea: This STUNNING gown, a messy ponytail, and a Thursday theater date.

Nike Blazer Low ‘77 ($100)

Designing your own Nike sneakers still feels like the epitome of cool even though most of us have our drivers licenses and braces off at this point. The low Blazer profile is a good one. Something about the shape isn’t my favorite on my size 11 feet, but I love it on people with feet on the more average side.

Outfit idea: My favorite Tory shorts, the platonic ideal button down, and a to-do list to conquer.

TRETORN Women's Nylite Plus Canvas Sneakers ($74)

I bought this exact pair of shoes on a trip with my mom and brother to Burlington, Vermont a while ago. When I worked in fashion, they were the perfect sneaker to wear into the showroom without getting glares from my coworkers in Gianvito Rossi slides. Sure, they sort of look like bowling shoes, but if you tend toward a more vintage look, they’re super darling with 70s flares or 60s sailor dresses.

Outfit idea: Apollo bagel, rollneck over the shoulders, and a slinky Rixo dress.

Saye M70 Dart - Cobalt & Honey ($170)

You know you love a sneaker. You take great care of your sneakers. Color does not intimidate you. Then this is your pick! These were the colors of my elementary school, so I’m partial to the combination. If Sambas are v1, Gazelles are v2, and these are v3.

Outfit idea: Vintage state fair tee, ample SPF, and a book on stoicism.

Superga 2750 Metallic Nappa Sneakers ($120)

The year was 2014. I’d just met one of my best friends at FIT orientation and I had no idea yet. I just hoped she’d think I was nice enough to hang out with again. We decided to skip an afternoon seminar and make an extremely formative pilgrimage to the Barney’s Warehouse Sale. A pair of Supergas from the Olsen twins’ collaboration sat on the shelf, not in my size, but it was my first exposure to the brand. Of course, Danielle (future bff) was in a pair. I floated back to my dorm and ordered my own on Amazon.

Outfit idea: Baggy 501s, an afternoon movie at BAM, and a perfect vintage Barneys top.

Novesta Star Master Plimsolls ($95)

I’m sorry that chocolate brown sneakers never occured to you before now. But they’re kind of perfect, right? This pair comes in a ton of colors, including a few neutrals, if that’s more your speed. I like them for people whose closets are heavy on the Rachel Comey and Mara Hoffman.

Outfit idea: Seedlings from a neighbor, a cozy sweater your daughter steals, and a nostalgic strainer.

Puma Puma Super Liga OG Retro Sneaker ($85)

Gender is a construct in a million ways, but especially in sneakers. Most of the sneakers I buy are mens because I like a bit of a wider toe box to balance a wider leg pant. I would love to see my husband in these but would also buy them for myself.

Outfit idea: Vintage RL rugby shirt, sequin skirt, and a Ghia spritz.

Thank you for reading Long Live. It means so much to me. You can shop my favs here, follow along on Instagram + Tiktok, shop my Notion template, and as always, respond to this dispatch for my direct line x

Any tricks or tips for keeping sneakers clean?