The retro-future world of silver sneakers

In June 2023, when adidas released its collaboration with Wales Bonner, the internet went wild. Among the leopard-print Sambas, which anticipated this year's leopard-print craze, the silver ones managed to bring a fresh touch to an otherwise beige fashion landscape (literally and figuratively). Going viral across every platform, the silver Sambas now start at a base auction price of a thousand euros on major resale platforms. Whether intentional or not, adidas created a domino effect, ushering in a new wave of silver sneakers. More broadly, silver footwear also made a significant comeback on the SS25 runways. Notable examples include Acne, which designed an entire line of silver mesh mary-janes and heels, and Schiaparelli, which went viral for its foot-shaped mules. With the resurgence of quiet luxury over the past year, more trends are focusing on color accents, such as the "pop of color" in burgundy shoes from FW24. Meanwhile, the sneaker world faces a crossroads: embrace silver through a ‘90s dad-sneaker lens or adapt it to the futurism of Y3K. In any interpretation, silver sneakers add a bold touch to a more demure outfit.

‘90s Silver

The revival of the ‘90s "dad sneaker" can be traced back to the renaissance of New Balance. The 530 model epitomized the quintessential dad shoe during the economic boom of the post-‘80s era. Later adopted by Scandinavian style enthusiasts, particularly for its comfort, the American brand reintroduced the classic sneaker in new, perhaps slightly more fashionable, colorways than its original iterations. Unsurprisingly, silver took center stage. Gradually, this sneaker style infiltrated the runways, from Balenciaga with the XL and Runner models to the ultimate quiet luxury icon, Bottega Veneta, with the Orbit Sneaker. Asics also revived an old model, the GT-2160, elevating it for 2024 through a collaboration with British designer Cecilie Bahnsen, capturing the hyper-feminine, almost coquette market segment. Adidas, riding its resurgence, decided to reissue numerous archival models like the Gazelle, SL 72 OG, and Country OG. Unlike other brands, adidas managed to translate each sneaker into a distinct shade of silver, from metallic to mirrored finishes. The mirrored effect is also featured in the new Puma x Fenty Avanti C, which reimagines an early 2000s silhouette for the present.

Y3K and Futuristic Silver

When it comes to Y3K, it’s essential to start with the basics. This futuristic aesthetic draws inspiration from Y2K but projects it into the year 3000, envisioning a hyper-technological and fast-paced world. The defining colors of Y3K include (drumroll) silver and light blue, which evoke the concepts of innovation and futurism. Originating from Japan and South Korea, this aesthetic has made its way into the latest collections of Western brands, including many emerging ones. Leading the charge is Wales Bonner, whose Jewel model blends sneaker and mary-jane influences, reminiscent of the early-2000s Disney movie Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, where silver not only dominates as a primary color but also features snake-print accents. Dominating this aesthetic, however, is the emerging brand Unititlab, founded in 2019, which preserves the Y3K energy of silver while integrating the gorpcore identity of the Swift Trek model. Paying homage to an iconic silver sneaker, Magliano has refined and elevated the concept of the Air Max 97 with its Polisportiva 2000 model.

Although the two artistic directions are entirely opposite, one thing is clear: silver shoes, particularly sneakers, are poised for a renaissance in 2025. Silver is gaining ground not only as a trending color but also as a symbol of an era that seeks to blend nostalgia and futurism. The future of fashion seems to be heading toward an aesthetic that combines retro with avant-garde, with silver potentially serving as the unifying thread of this stylistic evolution. Who knows? By January, silver might just become the new burgundy.