This Is an Italian-Made Dress Shoe Disguised as an adidas Gazelle
The adidas Gazelle “Made In Italy” doesn’t only blur the lines between a sporty sneaker and a formal dress shoe, it crosses it. The classic ‘60s sneaker is near-unrecognisable in its luxe new form.
On the upper, the sneaker stays true to the traditional look of a Gazelle, crafted from locally sourced premium leather with suede utilised for the sneaker’s signature T-shaped toe panel. But the sole unit is what elevates this shoe to go beyond sneaker status.
Replacing its usual gum rubber outsole, a thick black sole unit emerges, the type you’d expect from a pair of Derby shoes. On close inspection, the midsole looks to be made from wood (but that’s yet to be confirmed).
Wooden-soled, Italian-made, fully leather shoes? Yeah, at that point, the adidas Gazelle isn't a sneaker anymore.
Being the work of Italian footwear artisans, the adidas Gazelle naturally comes with a premium price tag: It is available from March 13 and will set you back $450.
It’s a considerable amount more than adidas’ previous “Made In Italy” sneakers which have ranged from $350 Sambas to Birkenstock-esque clogs. But it is more affordable than the $800 Superstar sneakers from adidas’ A-TYPE artisanal line.
Plus, you have to remember these aren’t really sneakers; they’re Italian-made formal shoes.
This adidas Gazelle is the sneaker at its dressiest, and it arrives in tandem with clot (the Hong Kong-based streetwear label known for turning adidas sneakers into dress shoes) also giving the footwear model a preppy twist through a thick crepe sole.
The Gazelle, a sneaker best known for its association with football culture, is the latest model to fall victim to adidas' formal shoe experimentations.
