Heritage classics made new — in adidas’s latest drop, the sportswear giant reimagines time-tested favorites through a street-style lens. Streetwear, a dominant global force in fashion, has a unique power. By wearing what works rather than what’s coming off a runway, people can influence trends –– not just consume them. Recognizing how streetwear operates, adidas has made an art out of observation. For over a decade, the brand has been incorporating streetwear 

sensibilities into its lifestyle collections. 

The adidas Adistar XLG 2.0, one of the most recent styles from adidas, transforms the classic runner into a streetwear staple with a clever resizing. Taking cues from the ever-popular Jellyfish model, the XLG redefines  existing adidas silhouettes with bigger, maxxed-out soles that align with current street-style trends. The balance of references –– the classic running shoe with contemporary elements –– extends beyond the XLG  silhouette and into the color palettes. The white/blue and white/grey colors reference the previously released adidas Jellyfish colorways, a 1:1 inspiration. Meanwhile, the red/white style is a completely new colorway, meant to be exclusive to the XLG. 

With design nods to past and the future, the XLG  lends itself to the question: Are they retro or are they ultra-modern? adidas’ answer: Why not both. The dichotomy invites a double take, not unlike the supporting campaign: an open-air 80s-style diner but set to a vivid natural backdrop. With bold colors, shifting proportions and warped perspectives, the campaign lands as surreal. Look again — what you think you saw is not the full story, like the hybrid XLG. 

In a market obsessed with nostalgia, the XLG  scans as retro without getting stuck in the past. With bold lines, big soles and sleek contours along the upper, this is a shoe that clearly evolved  alongside modern trends and styles.