The Man Behind the Name

Fresh off a 1971 championship at the US Open and a '72 title at Wimbledon, Smith was an icon in the making. However, neither he nor adidas knew just how well the shoe would do in the long run. It went through a few changes and improvements before finally receiving the official name of adidas Stan Smith in 1978.

Features of the Stan Smith

It's hard to say what has made the Stan Smith withstand the test of time because it's simple but also has standout features. As a shoe that boasts an all-white base, it's ideal for sneaker artists to customize. The white finish also allows it to be worn with anything, from jeans to tuxedos and anywhere in between. Versatility is very important to shoe owners in today's style-conscious world, as is diversity, and the Stan Smith has both in spades. It offers a number of colors to choose from as well as the logo of Smith himself on the tongue which, interestingly, shows him without his trademark moustache.

The makeup of the shoe was revolutionary for its time with the first full-grain leather upper in a tennis shoe and a herringbone bottom for better court traction. Today it comes with a tonal rubber outsole for grip.

Then and Now

Back in the 1970s and '80s, the Stan Smith was primarily a player's shoe. It eventually fell from grace as a go-to for tennis pros due to advancement in shoe technology, but change isn't always bad. It's evolved from an athletic shoe into a lifestyle shoe, and a highly popular one at that. With various celebrities sighted wearing the shoes, along with pop culture icons like Jay-Z including them in songs, the street credit of the Stan Smith has gone through the roof.

Since its drop, the Stan Smith has seen multiple versions from winter shoes to mids and even pointed toes to wear with suits.

It Fits Nicely

In an industry captivated by color and dynamic designs, the Stan Smith has found a nice niche. It's an original shoe that has stayed true to its title, original. While other shoes are designed to stand out, these are designed for simplicity that goes with anything, which has allowed it to reach a wide audience.

It predates the technology found in some subsequent adidas shoes, but it is comfortable, and the addition of colors means you have the option of going retro or new-school.

Exploring All Options>

The Stan Smith isn't the only Originals shoe that adidas offers. The Superstar has been a highly popular shoe for more than 40 years and just received a makeover with the Superstar Xeno, which gives the shoe a 3D reflective skin that shimmers when hit with direct light. The Tubular X blends basketball and street styles and quickly is becoming a top seller.