(SPOT.ph) Adidas’ popular Continental 80 sneakers can be traced back to the late 1980s (hence the name). Originally called just the Continental, the tennis shoe was not widely popular upon its first release, unlike its contemporary the Stan Smith. However, The Three Stripes, along with other famous sneaker brands, is known for revamping and bringing back many of their OG designs.
And so the sneaker was re-released in 2018 as the Continental 80, timed perfectly to hit the white sneaker craze and the late-’80s-early-’90s nostalgia characteristic of the decade. The 2018 release came in two colorways (white and off-white), both sporting the shoe’s signature scarlet red and collegiate navy stripe slashed across the center.
Since then (thanks in no small part to the silhouette’s massive success), Adidas has continued to redesign the Continental 80 with fresh colors and fabrics. We round up a few of our faves.
Here are 10 standout Continental 80 sneaker designs:
Core Black
Though it looks like the white-sneaker obsession isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, black sneakers are another option that offer the same goes-with-everything convenience along with an added cool factor. If you already own several white kicks, then the black Continental 80s will be a breath of fresh air for your sneaker collection, giving your outfits an edgier feel. Plus, they’re perfect to wear for the rainy season when you’d rather not expose your white pairs to puddles and floods.
True Pink and Hi-Res Aqua
We’re obsessed with the cotton-candy color combo on this pair. The pink and turquoise shades on the center stripe are also present on the Adidas logo on the tongue, upper, and heel, against a predominantly off-white exterior with stark white soles. The quirky design will look adorable contrasted against grungier pieces like ripped jeans and graphic tees.
Cloud White
There’s nothing quite as sleek as an all-white pair of kicks. In case the red-and-navy stripe doesn’t work for some of your more boldly colored outfits, go for this pair in a crisp white exterior, punctuated by an off-white sole. The clean design gives the vintage tennis shoe an extra fresh, preppy look. You can pair it with—well, anything.
Grey Three
These gray kicks have an edginess similar to the black pair, but the lighter hue allows the colors on the center stripe to stand out a little more, making for a more eye-catching pair. The thick white sole against the gray adds to their retro-inspired look. Plus, it’s a cool addition to your sneaker collection—how many gray kicks do you own?
Vapour Green and Ice Mint
The fresh mint tone that dominates the exteriors of these Continental 80 sneakers gives the vintage silhouette a cool, futuristic twist. This pair trades in the red-and-navy stripe for a forest-green color that complements the mint shade. Other little details like the white heel and midsole as well as the caramel-colored outsole give the pair extra character and make it more distinctive. You might even want to round up some cute neomint items to match your shoes!
True Pink
Sick of Millennial Pink? Nope, we didn’t think so. Add these Continental 80 kicks to your all-pink-everything collection. The pastel pink accents on the stripe, tongue, heel, and window give the chunky kicks a dainty touch that will let you wear them even with delicate looks like flowy dresses or linen pieces.
Pride Shoes
If you’re picky when it comes to choosing colors, why not just get them all? This pair, which was released in June of 2019 as part of Adidas’ Pride Pack (in celebration of Pride Month), switches out the red-and-navy stripe for a vibrant rainbow that you might just find yourself staring at all day. The Trefoil logo on the sneaker’s tongue also sports a gorgeous rainbow in an ombre style.
Active Red and Gold Metallic
These Continental 80s give us major Wild Cat vibes (cue Zac Efron shouting “What team?!”) thanks to the bright red stripe and shiny gold line underneath it. The colorway also has an imperial look to it that makes us think of royalty. Either way, the pair exudes energy, flamboyance, and confidence. Pair it with deep blue tones for a timeless color combo.
True Pink and Periwinkle
If Barbie or Elle Woods wore sneakers, this is the pair they would opt for. Fuel your pink obsession with these rose-colored kicks—complete with pink laces! While the Continental 80 usually sports a crisp leather finish, this pair features a suede exterior, giving it a unique texture and a dressier look. Use it to dress up and add color to your smart casual outfits.
Forky
The vibrant red and blue accents on this pair are enough to catch your eye, but take a peek at the heel and you’ll be treated to an adorable illustration of Forky from Toy Story 4. Anyone watching you walk away will be just as surprised (you could almost hear the character’s quirky voice saying “I’m trash”). The shoes were released as part of a Toy Story-themed line of kicks—we’re tempted to write “ANDY” on the soles.
The Continental 80 Sneakers are available at Adidas branches nationwide for P5,300.
For more information, log on to Adidas’ website.
