adidas SL 72 outfit ideas
7 looks to wear the exclusive Mon-Sun
The brand’s latest cult sneaker arrives in two exclusive colourways — co-designed by Rhianna Matthews, Strategist of Buying & Curation at Highsnobiety, and Frederic Legatzki, Senior Buyer at Zalando — and you’ll likely want to wear both 24/7.
Samba, Gazelle, Handball Spezial — adidas’ famed retro sneakers have been working overtime in recent years, dominating the streets from Paris to Berlin to New York. But don’t let that fool you into thinking the sportswear giant is slowing down in reviving iconic silhouettes from its archives. Already favoured by Emrata and Suki Waterhouse and approved by designer of all things cool Wales Bonner, the brand’s next cult sneaker is here: SL 72.
Initially introduced in 1972 as a revolutionary lightweight running sneaker (‘SL’ stands for ‘super light’), the silhouette has been reimagined for every day and returns with a subtle proportion update and an EVA midsole for extra cushioning. With two exclusive colourways — “core black/off white” and “off white/core black” — landing on Zalando, the SL 72 now proves its versatility more than ever, showing it really is a shoe suitable for each day of the week, no matter the plans you have or the mood you’re in. Need some outfit inspiration? Look no further.
There’s nothing more soul-crushing than your alarm clock going off on a Monday morning, reminding you that you actually have to work to pay for all those overpriced coffees and cute ’fits you’ve planned on getting. Time to say your daily affirmations, practise radical self-acceptance, and put on an office outfit that looks like you’ve got it all together but is comfortable enough to run away from your responsibilities after work. Style a midi skirt and a striped blouse, putting the ‘corporate’ in ‘corporate girly’, and add a touch of casual wish-it-was-Friday with the adidas SL 72.
If your boy-sober (or girl-sober) era is slowly coming to an end, you’re probably facing the same old question of what to wear when going on a date. A simple outfit formula that always works is a classic blazer, sporty shorts, and a pair of retro sneakers — preferably the exclusive adidas SL 72, as they are not only a great conversation starter, but also allow you to quickly run away if the date doesn’t go as planned.
Whether it’s your sleeve catching on the doorknob or your bag that keeps slipping off your shoulder, sometimes, it’s the little things that push us over the edge (and call for a last-minute trip to Palermo). Luckily, packing is easy when all you need is a few looks, your favourite bikini — or swimsuit — and a pair of trusty SL 72s to take you from the beach to dinner.
No one made minimalism look as effortlessly cool as ’90s style icon Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and most certainly, no one wore the suit pants and sneaker combination better than her. Channel your inner Bessette Kennedy and bring some of her styling cues into the modern day by pairing the adidas SL 72 with wide-legged suit pants, a black blouse, and a structured bag. Bonus points for adding ’90s-inspired sunglasses.
It’s an unwritten rule to try on everything you’ve touched when cleaning your room. Does this create more chaos? Probably. But you’ll often discover new outfit combinations you’d never thought of before. Mix and match different patterns, wear your most extravagant earrings with a casual cap and tie it all together with your favourite pair of retro sneakers — in fashion, anything goes.
Girlhood is eating a plate of french fries, cheese, and crackers for dinner. It’s sharing your outfit pics in the three-person group chat with your best friends and asking for their opinions. It’s pairing retro sneakers with lace socks, preppy shirts, and tweed shorts to go on a dinner date. It’s lying on your bed, fully dressed, daydreaming with a three-hour-long Lana Del Rey playlist playing in the background before realising you had to leave 15 minutes ago.
At 2AM, you’re either asleep or in the middle of a full-blown identity crisis. The latter often starts with the urge to fix your life and ends with a two-hour-long scroll through all the social media platforms and Zalando’s ‘NEW IN’ section, where you’ll likely find a new pair of the latest must-have retro sneakers from adidas that just happen to go with everything — even your favourite pyjamas. Sometimes, life can be so simple.
Arriving in two timeless colourways, "core black/off white" and "off white/core black", the retro sneaker is a timeless addition for any wardrobe.
Arriving in two timeless colourways, "core black/off white" and "off white/core black", the retro sneaker is a timeless addition for any wardrobe.