True Story: Everyone's Swapping Their Sambas With This Controversial Alt

Every sneaker brand has one signature style that it’s known for among the street style crowd, and Sambas are that for Adidas. You can’t scroll through social media or stroll down the street of any major city without spotting the signature low-top trainer silhouette with its ubiquitous three stripes across the side. They’ve been the sneakers of choice among the style set for a hot second, but slowly, another style has crept up on their heels: Adidas’s Taekwondo sneakers. First debuted during the ’88 Olympics in Seoul, the sneakers have a sleek shape similar to the beloved Sambas. However, the Taekwondo is different because it was created for martial arts practices, so it has more sport-inspired details in the silhouette (e.g., quilted leather, laceless top tongues, and even hybrid shapes).

That subtle distinction is what initially made the style stand out to fashion people and sneakerheads alike, especially those who find themselves overstimulated by the sheer number of Samba outfits they spot outside and online. While many footwear lovers were excited about Adidas’s decision to revive the iconic shape, some might have wondered how to style such specific sneakers. After all, the allure of Sambas is that they’re so easy for everyone to style compared to the Taekwondo sneakers, which can seem a bit trickier to pull off at first sight. But that’s not really the case, as the fashion crowd has already shown that this style is just as versatile. Don’t believe us? Ahead, we’ve rounded up a few Adidas Taekwondo-sneaker outfit ideas from across the internet with styling tips and shopping recommendations. Fair warning: These looks will make you want to swap out your Sambas, so proceed with caution.