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The Return of the adidas Superstars

Lifestyle

The Return of the adidas Superstars

Mar 6, 2025

They’re baaack! But let’s be real: The adidas Superstars never really left. These classic sneakers have a staying power that keeps them popular year after year, with occasional revivals driven by their timeless style and deep ties to basketball and hip-hop culture. Here’s everything you need to know about the Superstars — and the adidas Superstar II — plus a few fresh ways to style these ever-popular kicks.

The Origins: From Basketball to Streetwear

The Origins: From Basketball to Streetwear

The year 1969 marked the summer of love, Woodstock and Neil Armstrong making “one giant leap for mankind” as he made his lunar landing. That same year, the adidas brand created an ultra-durable basketball shoe — one of the first low tops with a full-leather upper. Players of the era, like Kareen Abdul-Jabaar, loved the sneaker's shell toe, which provided an added layer of durability and abrasion resistance on the court.

As the 1970s rolled in, the adidas Superstar’s journey off court began. The adidas Originals shoe soon found itself at the center of a cultural shift, transitioning from a sports staple to a streetwear icon. This change signified the beginning of its transformation into a symbol of rebellion and self-expression.

My adidas: Hip-Hop & Pop Culture Influence

My adidas: Hip-Hop & Pop Culture Influence

In the 1980s, the iconic black on white adidas Superstars quickly became ubiquitous, as the no-frills design stood in stark contrast to the bold, oversized trends of the era. Hip-hop pioneers like Run D.M.C. adopted the Superstars as their footwear of choice, even dedicating a song — “My adidas” — to the sneakers. The group’s love for the adidas Superstar represented a broader cultural movement, aligning with the ethos of street style and authenticity that rejected the status quo. As the group became more famous, so did the lifestyle sneaker, further cementing its place in urban culture.

The 2025 Revival: Why Superstars Are Back

The 2025 Revival: Why Superstars Are Back

The sneaker world has always been cyclical, with certain styles gaining popularity in waves. The 2025 revival of the adidas Originals Superstars offers renewed relevance in both nostalgic contexts and contemporary aesthetics. And fresh new colorways this year mark the return of the adidas Superstars II model, a fan fave reissue maintaining the signature silhouette with subtle modern appointments.

This second Superstar edition proved popular in the late ’90s and throughout the 2000s. It stands apart from its sleeker OG counterpart with its slightly chunkier look, more defined, gridded shell toe and plenty of extra padding. This reissue retains the spirit of the original while speaking to the new generation of musicians, artists, celebs and sneakerheads.

Cultural Cachet: How to Style adidas Superstars Today

Whether you're channeling a laidback streetwear vibe or aiming for a more polished look, the timeless Superstars can work for almost any occasion. Here are a few ways to style them: 

  • Give your preschooler a play-ready outfit with a pair of all-black adidas Superstars featuring LED lights that flash when they walk or run. Pair them with a matching sweat set or a graphic tee and athletic shorts. 
  • Your favorite black denim and a fitted graphic tee paired with the adidas Superstars with a black shell toe set against a white leather upper offer a fresh twist on a classic OG sneaker. 
  • Infuse your style with a retro-style adidas Originals Superstar II. The “W.I.N.N. Houston” men’s shoe swaps out the classic black and white base with a blue denim upper, leather stripes and tan midsole, shell toe and sockliner. These special-edition shoes are ready for the rodeo, the cookout or the club. Wear them with a button-up shirt and tan cargo pants for an effortless look. 
  • Create a minty-fresh look with a pair of women’s white adidas Superstar IIs accented with mint and aqua stripes and branding. Finish the fit with a fitted tank top and light-colored track pants, or wear them with bike shorts and an oversized tee.

From its roots in basketball to its role as a streetwear icon, the adidas Superstar continues to adapt to the times, proving that style and authenticity never go out of fashion. Shop Hibbett’s selection of adidas Superstar IIs available in various colorways and full-family sizing.

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