Model Off-Duty: Styling Sneakers the Bella Hadid Way

Athleisure styles have been taking the world by storm ever since the pandemic, with luxury designers and sportswear brands redefining athletic gear by infusing their take on the “sporty look”.

We saw the rise of elevated sneaker styles, designed in a variety of silhouettes and colours, some chunky-soled and the others more minimally designed, pushing the boundaries of sporty lace-up shoes. Luxury brand partnerships with sneaker brands have also seen an uptick in recent years, featuring exclusive styles and drops through the injection of sportswear sensibilities into the luxury market. Whilst prioritising its functionality, sneakers have now contested its sartorial relevance.

Having evolved into a wardrobe essential, this universal and versatile style of shoe has blurred the boundaries in dressing, from sleek tailoring to laid-back looks.

Style icon Bella Hadid has been recognised for her unique and sublime footwear game. Spotted numerously in fashion-forward sneaker styles, she often brings old styles back with a fresh and reinvigorating twist. 

Taking cues from the model, we take a closer look at how she styles sneakers in a chic and subversive manner:

In an athletic ensemble, Hadid adorns a black camisole over a white bra paired with black boy shorts. With a Y2K-inspired layering style, revitalise your outfit with sophisticated layers to elevate your look. Opt for a pair of tonal sneakers like Hadid does in her Adidas x Prada Luna Rossa for a monochromatic style, making you look put together. Jazz the all-black outfit with vibrant accessories like Hadid does with a choker and retro style sunnies for an effortlessly chic look for a day at the gym or to run errands.

Big oversized shirts form the perfect canvas for a base outfit. You can go pants-free as Hadid does in an oversized blue button-down, taking your look up a notch with a pop of colour by layering. The minimal details allow your chunky soled shoes to take centre stage, highlighting your shoe game. With low-ankle shoes like the Louis Vuitton Archlight Sneakers, it gives an illusion of longer legs, alongside the elevation of height with the bodacious wave-shaped silhouette.

Coming fresh out of the classic 1991 sci-fi film, The Matrix’s iconic sci-fi, futuristic style has been revived in recent years. Black leather trenches, combat boots and micro sunglasses are the key sartorial motifs for embodying the iconic look. To nail the cyberpunk style, go for a shiny leather jacket or blazer for a modern and trendy look, finishing off with a pair of futuristic statement eyewear to fully channel the post-apocalyptic aesthetic. For a streetwear twist, style it with a chunky pair of black sneakers as seen on Hadid in Chanel’s Black Nylon Low Top sneakers.

We’ve seen this pair of sneakers all over the internet after Hadid went viral for her unique styling. It is none other than the Adidas Sambas, a flat sole retro style that subverts the “ugly” sneaker trend. Embracing a mini crop top and low-rise baggy jeans with the soccer sneaker and a backpack, Hadid emulates a tomboy style while carrying her sultry attitude in a claw clip updo and vintage sunnies. We’ve also seen her styling the Adidas sneakers in an array of styles, making them the perfect versatile and everyday footwear.

Wear the nostalgic look and punchy style with pride by pulling off a laidback street-style look. Throw on a classic sporting uniform, armed with a couple of sportswear staples like tracksuits and retro running shoes to embrace the vibrant and casual look from the '90s. Flaunting a mix of practicality and suaveness with a retro spin, put on a pair of expressive and exaggerated “dad” shoes to emphasize the relaxed cool and sporty vibe.

Hadid wears Kiko Kostadinov x Asics Gel-Quantum Levitrack sneakers on her feet. And with a pair like this with a unique colourway and detailing, it is sure to turn heads on the streets.