The ’90s Speedcat Arrives In Autumn-Ready Wolf Grey

The rain has come once again, and as I wait patiently for sandal season to return, I'm turning to these suede trainers as my go-to. As somebody who would never class themselves as a self-confessed ‘trainers fan’, there are still a few pairs out there which have caught my eye. My brown and yellow Adidas SL72s, in all their retro glory, have had a fair few outings now and a classic pair of checkerboard slip-on Vans have remained in my wardrobe since the indie-sleaze days. Sure, the newest drop of impossible-to-get-your-hands-on Jordans comes with some serious sartorial kudos, but for the less than dedicated-to-the-cause folks out there (me) I’ll be sticking with the pairs you can actually get hold of. Next on the nostalgic footwear wish-list? The Puma Speedcat OG sneakers, a pair that comes A-list approved, spotted on the likes of Dua Lipa and EmRata.

Whilst originally this style was just available in red and black, Puma has just dropped a new autumnal colourway in collaboration with Represent. So you can now choose from nine different shades in total, from sunshine yellow to magenta. The latest addition, a wolf grey colour, feels like the perfect balance of nostalgic and fresh. For me, that makes it one of those pairs you know will actually get worn, not just sit in the box.

What I love most about this collab is the details: the suede textures, the clean white laces that give it a vintage edge, and the subtle Represent Initial embroidery on the heel. As George Heaton, Founder and Creative Director of Represent, puts it: ‘The silhouette is birthed from racing cars, and our history and design language is inspired by British motorsport, so with this collaboration it made sense to choose the Speedcat. For me, it was about the material density and texture, and tonality of the colours - elevating an icon without overpowering it.’

Dropping September 3rd, the wolf grey Speedcat will join the lineup soon until then, it’s worth catching up on the story behind the collab and checking out some of the other standout shades.

When did the Puma Speedcat come out?

First launched in 1999, these minimal suede trainers were the epitome of early '00s Y2K fashion. If you're old enough to remember the Speedcats the first time around (yup) you might well associate this style with freezing mornings running around a hockey pitch in P.E. rather than with fashion forward street-style. But, skip to 2024 and the Speedcats have been given a new lease of life, emerging as the must-have trainer for 2024, taking over from Adidas Sambas and the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66.

What to wear with Puma Speedcat OG trainers?

The beauty of these low-fi trainers is they'll pretty much go with anything in your wardrobe. Take note from Emily Ratajkowski, who is already a fan, wearing her bright red Pumas with slip skirts and tank tops. If you're into a midi dress, wear with a flouncy milkmaid style to add a sporty edge or pair with tailored trousers and a cashmere crew neck sweater for a minimal effort/maximum impact outfit. Race you to the checkout.

Shop: The Puma Speedcat Trainers

Julia Harvey has been the shopping editor for Grazia for the three years, overseeing and editing all things shopping for the title from trend pages, gift guides and the best things to buy now in both print and online.