Adidas Trainers Steal The Political Spotlight
- Rhianna Dankwa
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
The 45th opening of the Canadian Parliament witnessed an unexpected fashion moment as former President Justin Trudeau sported a casual, albeit puzzling, look: turquoise Adidas Gazelle trainers with orange stripes.
Trudeau’s nonchalant decision to dress down his blue suit with a pair of the loafers sparked bewilderment and confusion online, particularly in the context of King Charles III's Speech from the Throne at the Ottawa Senate Building on Tuesday and the presence of numerous dignitaries.
The former President’s choice of footwear elicited strong reactions, with one X user labelling the move ‘a political faux pas’ and Canadian journalist Brian Lilley portraying Trudeau as the ‘Peter Pan boy who will never grow up’.
This incident serves as a reminder that Adidas trainers have a recurring role in sparking heated fashion debates within the political arena.
A notable fashion controversy arose last year when former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's choice of Adidas Samba trainers during a Downing Street interview, focused on tax policies, prompted a ‘fulsome apology to the Samba community’.
His bold decision to combine the grey, white, and black trainers with a white shirt and navy chinos, compromised their established credibility.
On LBC Radio, Mr. Sunak defended his selection stemming from being a ‘longtime devotee’ to the brand, rooted in a childhood Christmas present from his brother.
The Adidas Samba has achieved near-ubiquitous presence on footwear globally, adorning the feet of figures ranging from Hailey Bieber to Harry Styles to members of both Millennial and Generation Z demographics. This classic design has permeated the urban landscapes, emerging as Adidas' second best-selling shoe, surpassed only by the Stan Smith.
Originally conceived in 1949 as a football trainer engineered for icy playing surfaces, its release in 1950 was deliberately timed to coincide with the FIFA World Cup held in Brazil, thus inspiring its evocative name, 'Samba,' a clear homage to the vibrant Brazilian dance and musical tradition.
Distinguished as Adidas' longest-running shoe, the Samba has remarkably soared its way from the football pitch to the streets, favoured for its comfortable design featuring smooth leather and a rubber outsole.
The trainer's inherent versatility, capable of being effortlessly styled with jeans and skirts, and prompting conversations about fashion flops - such as Trudeau's unconventional pairing - is instrumental in its longevity and continued success across generations.
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