Are you a Stan fan? // Adidas relaunches the Stan Smith tennis shoe

The Adidas Stan Smith tennis trainer is BACK after a three-year hiatus.

So who knew scruffy-haired 1970s tennis champ Stanley Roger Smith would turn out to be such a style LEDGE? His name has appeared on the best-selling sports shoe of all time since 1971.

Yup, the Adidas Stan Smith has sold an impressive 40 million pairs over the years (SORRY NIKE AIR MAX) and now Stan is the MAN once more.

Yet when Stan Smith began wearing these, the world’s first leather tennis shoes, in 1971, they actually featured the name of a former French tennis player.

But after two successful seasons, with victories at both the US Open and Davis Cup events in 71 and Wimbledon in 72, the decision was made to officially re-christen the simple white leather silhouette to the Stan Smith and history was made.

We’ve always been a fan of tennis attire here at Le Blow – the crisp whites and lace-up sneaks are all 90s preppy minimlaism that’s, like, SO HOT RIGHT NOW, and some of our favourite brands were born via on court collaborations: Lacoste, Fred Perry – we’re looking at you.

And the secret to the success of the Adidas Stan Smith is cetainly the sporty simplicity. The sleek white leather shoe is pure in function as well as design. Barely branded, even Adidas’ familiar three-stripe branding is muted to perforated rows.

Said Stan, on a recent visit to London:

I don’t know why it’s so popular with some sub-cultures – you’d think they’d want to have something a little more jazzy. Maybe it’s because they’re a blank canvas – you can wear them with anything. I think it’s their simplicity that has the attraction.

Seems Stan Smiths are the footwear equivalent to a wear-with-everything-yet-still-look-oh-so stylish grey marl sweater.

They’ve fast become the kickss of choice among the fashion set – Marc Jacobs is a fan, and Phoebe Philo often takes her runway bow sporting a pair. They’ve got that cool preppy, mannish thing going on, in a Jenna Lyons sort of way – as fashion blogger Camille Charrière perfectly demonstrates:

Though three new heel tab shades are available in stores now, with colour-popping suede versions available from March, we say you can’t beat the old school classic charms of the original green and white combo.

Get yours for £67, from adidas.co.uk.