Sneaker Classics: An Overview of the Most Important Silhouettes
Most of the sneakers that are trending today have been around for decades. What changes are colors, materials, and which silhouette is currently in rotation. Those who know the classics will understand more quickly what suits them.
Here are the most important silhouettes – origin, character, and who they work for.
Nike Air Force 1
Released in 1982 as a basketball shoe and the first Nike with Air cushioning. Today, the AF1 is primarily an everyday silhouette: boxy, robust, uncompromisingly simple in white.
Character: massive, wide-looking, indestructible. Fit: runs long, many go down half a size.
Nike Dunk
Developed in 1985 for college basketball, originally in university team colors. Via skateboarding, it became one of the most worn silhouettes ever.
Character: flatter and slimmer than the AF1, thrives on two-tone designs. Fit: true to size, tight over the instep.
Nike Air Max 1 and Air Max 90
The Air Max 1 from 1987 made cushioning visible for the first time – a break from everything sports shoes had been until then. The Air Max 90 followed three years later with more angular lines.
Character: sporty, technical, easily combinable. Fit: both true to size, comparatively comfortable for wider feet.
Air Jordan 1
Designed in 1985 for Michael Jordan and the starting point of the entire Jordan line. The high version is the iconic one, the low version is more suitable for everyday wear.
Character: clear panels, high recognition value, strong color history. Fit: true to size, the ankle area of the high is tight.
adidas Samba
Originally an indoor football shoe from the 1950s, today one of the most sought-after silhouettes ever. Flat, narrow, with a characteristic suede toe cap.
Character: minimalistic, low profile, very versatile. Fit: narrow and long – often half a size smaller.
adidas Gazelle and Campus
The Gazelle dates back to the 1960s and was a training shoe, the Campus has roots in 1980s basketball. Both thrive on suede and strong colors.
Character: retro, color-focused, less technical than Nike silhouettes. Fit: Gazelle narrow, Campus boxier – both usually half a size smaller.
adidas Stan Smith
Introduced in 1971 as a tennis shoe and the blueprint for the white minimalist sneaker. No visible logo, just perforation.
Character: clean, understated, office-appropriate. Fit: narrow, stiff upper material.
New Balance 550, 990 and 2002R
The 990 appeared in 1982 as a premium running shoe, the 550 comes from late 1980s basketball, the 2002R is the modern reinterpretation of a running model.
Character: 550 clean and retro, 990 and 2002R more technical and cushioned. Fit: true to size, wide last, many models with width options.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
Older than anything else on this list, originating in the 1910s. Little cushioning, little support – and precisely for that reason, still in circulation today.
Character: flat, narrow, textile. Fit: runs large, often a full size smaller.
Vans Old Skool
Released in 1977 and the first Vans model with the side stripe. Coming from skateboarding, it has hardly changed since then.
Character: flat, robust, unpretentious. Fit: true to size, flat last.
Which silhouette suits you?
- Wide foot: New Balance, Nike Air Max – not Samba or Chucks.
- Low, sleek look: Samba, Gazelle, Stan Smith, Old Skool.
- Massive silhouette: Air Force 1, 2002R, 990.
- Maximum versatility in white: Air Force 1 or Stan Smith.
- Comfort for long days: Air Max line and New Balance, not Chucks or Vans.
Before you order: Our size chart shows how the individual models fit. And if it's tight at the ball of your foot, the guide to sneaker widths will help.