The Samba Alternatives If You’re Looking For A New Cult Sneaker This Spring

It takes a certain kind of power to single-handedly stop a trend in its tracks. And while he’s not exactly performing at the polls ahead of this year’s presumed general election, Rishi Sunak is second
to none – unparalleled, in fact – when it comes to making every fashion girlie in the land break up with their favourite pair of sneakers, adidas’s hallowed Sambas.

Appearing as part of a video interview with accountant Abigail Foster, Sunak was in ‘smart casual’ mode (no tie and wearing trainers). And the trainers in question were none other than black-and-white Sambas – not just the exact shoe, but the exact colourway sported by J-Lo, Kendall Jenner and EmRata. The internet’s reaction wasn’t kind, with comments underneath memes ranging from, ‘Destroyed them instantly’ to simply, ‘Dead!’ Because whatever your political leanings, the bipartisan takeaway is that it would be deemed uncool (nay, catastrophic) to keep wearing your Sambas.

That’s not to say that you need to remove them from your current roster entirely (there’s almost guaranteed to be a comeback on the heels of say, Rihanna, getting hers out of storage), but now they’re firmly on the finance bros’ algorithm, it’s time to hotfoot it in the opposite direction.

Several contenders have already emerged, one of which is another cult entry from adidas. The SL 72 is also a retro design and has already had the seal of approval from Bella Hadid, who didn’t need a persona non grata of a political nature to come along before she moved on from Sambas. EmRata, meanwhile, has turned to Puma’s Palermo, wearing the low-top sneaker with its distinctive gum sole on repeat this spring. My head has personally been turned by Nike’s Cortez, a hero of the house for 50 years and perfect for this moment in time because of its ‘chlorophyll’ green suede upper, although it’s available in eight other shades if that’s too peppy for your liking.

Sambas, it’s been fun and, no doubt, will be fun in the (distant) future but, for now, it’s time for a new trainer to enter the chat.

SHOP: The Adidas Samba Alternatives

Natalie Hammond is Grazia’s Senior Fashion News Editor. She loves winter, hates summer and can often be found writing about the weather (and what on earth to wear).