Your P.E. Shoes, But Cool: These New Balance Sneakers Are Proof That the 2000s Are Back

(SPOT.ph) Older millennials and Gen Xers know that part of getting older is seeing all the fashion don'ts of their youth come back in style, low-rise jeans being a prominent example. Another that may be less soul-crushing to '90s and 2000s kids are the shoes of your elementary school days. Children of the early aughts know that many a student handbook proclaimed that only white sneakers were allowed in gym class—a crushing fact at a time when chunky, colorful pairs were all the rage. However, the white-sneaker trend that came about in the 2010s totally reversed the popular perspective on the style and opened many demographics to its allure and versatility.

All that in mind, it's no surprise that a mode like the New Balance 992 is considered pretty stylish now. Does it look like the the sneakers you'd dread wearing to P.E. back in the day? Yes. But is it also effortlessly cool in a model off-duty kind of way? Well, you be the judge—but we're leaning towards hell yes.

The 992 was first released in 2006—early aughts kids may even recognize the pair, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2021—and it’s the only 900 series model from New Balance to ever be reissued. The refreshed style was released as part of the brand’s Made 2020 Collection and it’s available in a variety of colorways. We especially love the white and gray variants, which are perfect for those who like to shop shoes that go with a multitude of outfits and color schemes. According to Highsnobiety, the 992 "has become one of New Balance’s most popular heritage models in recent years."

New Balance’s old-school styles like the 574, the 550, and our personal favorite, the 327 have become exceedingly popular in the last few years thanks to their vintage-inspired design, laid-back aesthetic, and comfy build. With more and more folks leaning towards loose-fitting outfits and cozy ensembles amid the pandemic, we wouldn’t be surprised to see more of their comfy-casual styles on the streets in the coming years.

The New Balance 992 sneaker is available at selected New Balance stores and can be ordered through their official Viber community for P12,995.

For more information, log on to New Balance Philippines' Facebook page.

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