Sneakers were the footwear chosen for comfort and tucked a little into the look. Then minimalist white sneakers arrived and proved they could be worn with almost anything. But now the trend has changed direction. Now the trend sneakers are not the most basic nor the most sporty, but those with retro aesthetics, soft colors and that elegant air that allows them to be paired with jeans, dresses, flowing suits or pleated trousers.
Vintage-inspired sneakers have become one of fashion’s great obsessions because they solve something we increasingly seek: to be comfortable without the outfit looking improvised. One of them the Sézane brand in collaboration with the iconic sneaker brand New Balance and has sold out stock in hours.
The sneakers from Sézane and New Balance that have become an object of desire
The model chosen for this collaboration is the New Balance 471, a sneaker with a retro aesthetic that recovers the spirit of classic running shoes, but with a much more urban and refined interpretation. They are not flashy sneakers nor technical athletic shoes. Their appeal lies precisely in the opposite: they look simple, versatile and discreet, but have just enough special charm to justify the desire.
Sneakers from the New Balance and Sézane collaboration.
Sézane has taken them to its territory with a very recognizable color combination: ecru and brown, two tones that fit perfectly with the brand’s imagery. To that is added the upper made of fabric and suede, the flat cotton laces and a minimal 1-centimeter platform, which keeps them comfortable without turning chunky.
New Balance 471 sneakers by Sézane.
New Balance describes this version as a compact silhouette with a French flair, in which the breathable upper and the soft suede layers contribute a relaxed and slightly worn finish. It also highlights the toe cap design as one of the details that distinguishes the 471 within the brand’s catalog.
Why they sold out so quickly
The success of these sneakers is not surprising when viewed in perspective. They bring together several ingredients that tend to work very well in fashion: a limited collaboration, a French brand with a loyal community, a sportswear brand in full aesthetic rise and an easy-to-wear silhouette. Additionally, their price, 130 euros, places them at a middle ground: they are not cheap sneakers, but they don’t enter the inaccessible territory of luxury collaborations.
It also helps that they don’t look like a capricious purchase hard to justify. On the contrary, they are those pieces that you can imagine with almost anything: straight jeans, white trousers, flowing dresses, midi skirts, masculine shirts, trench coats or linen suits. That versatility is one of the reasons retro sneakers have become a wardrobe investment.
What is interesting about this phenomenon is that we are no longer talking only about comfortable sneakers, but about athletic shoes that can enter an elegant wardrobe without breaking it. This is why retro silhouettes win, neutral tones, textured materials and lower-profile shapes.
The only drawback of these sneakers is that they are sold out and you have to join the waitlist. If you don’t want to wait, on the brand’s own website we have spotted two very pretty designs for the summer season. On one side, a pair of sneakers in sand color.
Sneakers in sand color Jack by Sézane.
It is the Jack model. They are lace-up sneakers and made in the brand’s workshop in Portugal. They feature a textile exterior, leather interior and rubber sole. They are a highly versatile type of footwear to wear during the summer season and priced at around 130 euros.
Multicolor James sneakers by Sézane.
On the other hand, there is the James model. An all-terrain sneaker, also made in Portugal and with a lace-up closure. A slightly more robust type of footwear, yet you can wear it perfectly during the summer season as well. It has a rubber sole and is available in several tones.
