Originally developed as a tennis shoe for professionals, the Stan Smith is now one of the most instantly recognizable sneakers worn on the street today. Since 1971, it’s been one of Adidas’ most famous and phenomenally popular shoe styles. In fact, the Stan Smith even appeared in the Guinness Book of World Records after Adidas sold twenty-two million pairs back in 1988.

Believe it or not, the Stan Smith wasn’t actually called Stan Smith at the beginning. First released in 1963, it was actually called the Adidas Robert Haillet in honor of the French tennis player of the time. When Haillet retired, Adidas decided to set their sights on an even bigger tennis star and chose an American, Stan Smith (then ranked number one in the world), as the new namesake of their shoe. This branding strategy ultimately helped them cross over into the American market, broadening Adidas’ reach far beyond its European home base.

The Stan Smith is a low top sneaker usually made from white leather, with white shoelaces to match. Compared to other Adidas kicks, it doesn’t have the typical three stripes that you usually see. In their place are three perfectly aligned rows of small, circular ventilation holes. Adidas has tinkered with the shoe design from time to time over the years. Although the models on sale today typically closely resemble the original version, Stan Smiths shoes sold in the nineties came with Velcro instead of laces. Whatever the vintage, you can usually find an image of Stan Smith himself under the laces.

Although the original Stan Smith is an all-white sneaker originally designed for men, there are models for women and kids too. Some feature a splash of color like a green or navy heel. Versions with trendy solid colors like coral, linen green, and orange are available as are fun floral patterns, and there’s a slick triple black leather Stan Smith out there as well. All models, regardless of the color, sport the same elegant, simple design for which the shoe has become legendary.

While professional tennis players no longer wear the Stan Smith, as their shoes have technologically advanced since the Stan Smith was originally designed, you’ll see it on fashion icons like Gisele and Pharrell today. But its timeless appeal goes far beyond celebrities and tastemakers. People of all walks of life around the world continue to rock the Stan Smith with as much fascination and joy now as they did back when it first hit the scene in the 1970s and 1980s.

As Memorial Day approaches, people are pulling white ensembles out of their closets and selecting white garments from the rack once again. This bright, casual look is perfect for the summer months, when sunny days stretch into balmy evenings and people spend more time outside enjoying picnics and barbeques.

But when did this fashion rule of wearing no white before Memorial Day or after Labor Day begin? According to The Emily Post Institute, this practice dates back to early 20^th century America, when well-heeled society types left the city for seaside cottages or mountain cabins to escape the heat. On such occasions, “city clothes were left behind in exchange for lighter, whiter, summer outfits.” Come Labor Day, when they returned to their urban residences, they put those white garments away and donned their darker formal wear once more.

These days, this fashion law is approached in a more flexible manner. Even the Duchess of Windsor, who pays close attention to her look and the prevailing fashion trends, was recently spotted wearing a white dress before the official season began. Fashion rules are sometimes meant to be broken, and they can be fascinating moments when people flash a bit of their own originality.

Of course, the color white still carries meaning that fashion followers can either acknowledge or interpret in a fresh way. In the summertime, most brides will don white wedding dresses to take their vows before family and friends (though some do choose to switch it up and wear other colors or other garments). On those occasions, it’s understood that no one else will be wearing white so as not to compete with the bride on her special day.

White is also having a moment as a symbol of protest and social commentary, as women and allies publicly wear white garments as a visual reference to the women’s suffrage movement. This too dates back to the early 20^th century, when female Londoners wore white garments to signify purity in their struggle to obtain the right to vote.

It’s not all about social consciousness or following the rules, however. White also enjoys continued popularity among fashion lovers as part of minimalist, monochrome ensembles. These looks are trendy with urban professionals, who find them versatile for every occasion—whether at the office or going out at night. When paired with black, white can look classy and chic.

The color white continues to have a special role and significance in fashion, though its meaning may change throughout the years as creative dressers continually re-interpret its meaning for modern sensibilities. As the summer approaches, you can expect to see a lot of people wearing this color and making it their own once again.

Spring, with its symbolism of renewal, is always an exciting time to take a fresh look at fashion trends. Streetwear especially is meant to be vibrant and reflective of how people want to express themselves in the moment. So what looks are beginning to hit the scene now, and what might they tell us about where streetwear is headed? Here’s a snapshot of some current trends.

Tokyo Fashion Week just wrapped up, and if it can tell us anything about what’s hot in street-inspired fashion right now, it’s that hoodies are still very much a huge trend. That might be surprising to those of us who have seen hoodies become ubiquitous on the street and then on the runway for some time now, but as Vogue reports, the hoodie is actually picking up steam there.

Designers have applied their own vision to this streetwear staple, making it uniquely their own. DressedUndressed paired a long white hoodie with an oversized olive puffer and black boots to great effect, adding hints of military sensibility. Meanwhile, Chika Kisada struck a different chord with a black hoodie, a shiny black motorcycle jacket, a black petticoat and feminine chiffon-accented white sneakers. Name rocked an entirely different look, layering a cropped black hoodie onto a bold, almost dress length orange hoodie beneath a long navy parka.

Tokyo isn’t the only East Asian capital lending its take on street sensibility. As Highsnobiety explains, Seoul is experimenting with DIY streetwear, adding personally crafted logos and brand names from major designers such as Louis Vuitton and Supreme to customized sneakers, jackets, and belts.

Stateside streetwear enthusiasts have definitely noticed this trend. Whiz Khalifa, Rita Ora, and Rihanna have all embraced the ironic Korean take on street looks. This includes high-impact logos and statement pieces—garments as well as bags and accessories. Although the messaging can be laden with sarcasm, it’s also fresh, unpretentious, and experimental. Splashes of a lush teal hue can suddenly appear alongside a traditional Korean embroidered design of a flower on a jacket, for example. Or fabric from a military tent might show up in a designer bag as a commentary on violence is glamorized.

Fresh originality is something we always look forward to seeing in streetwear as the seasons change and new styles become trends to follow. What spring streetwear trends are you following right now? If a particular look has caught your eye, let us know!

There’s nothing quite like the glamour of the red carpet. During awards season, it’s where you’ll find some of the most elegant fashion. However, since celebs typically glide across the red carpet in shimmering satin gowns and sleek tuxedos at major entertainment industry events like the Golden Globes and the Grammys, you might not expect to find many of them rocking streetwear. There is another way to “dress to the nines,” though, and it has a fresh street sensibility. And you can find some innovative examples of it on the red carpet.

Not surprisingly, streetwear more often tends to make an appearance at the Grammys, which are devoted to music. Rapper Wiz Khalifa is one such example. Khalifa rocked a white pair of his trademark Chuck Taylors alongside a Thom Browne suit at the Grammys last year, showing how well street style can pair with looks from luxury design houses. But streetwear has made some iconic appearances at the film-related awards shows like the Oscars as well.

Pharrell Williams famously surprised fashionistas by wearing shorts with his Lanvin tuxedo at the 2014 Oscars, later switching to his iconic Vivienne Westwood hat and a bold pair of red sneakers for his performance of “Happy” during the show. Seth Rogen repped a futuristic pair of Nike Mags, beloved by sneaker lovers and Back to the Future fans everywhere, at this year’s Academy Awards.

Streetwear has also shown up at other major awards events like the BET Awards. Tracee Ellis Ross, star of TV’s hit show “Black-ish,” kept it traditional with a striking snakeskin gown on the BET Awards red carpet in 2016. But later that evening Ross appeared onstage in a much more current athleisure style—a Vetements hoodie—when it came time to present an award alongside her co-star Anthony Anderson. Pop superstar Rihanna took her look in an entirely different direction at the 2015 BET Awards, turning heads with a gorgeous gold shorts suit.

Although the red carpet tends to be graced most often by luxurious evening gowns and sharply tailored tuxedos, there are intriguing hints of street sensibility to be found. A playful pair of sneakers here, an irreverent take on the tuxedo there, and even full-on streetwear ensembles featuring track suits and hoodies. As streetwear’s influence on fashion deepens, it’ll be exciting to see how designers choose to interpret and re-envision the red carpet look in the future.

On the field, famous athletes amaze us with their competitive drive and their athletic prowess. Off the field, they impress us with their unique sense of style. Many well-known sports stars have made a name for themselves in streetwear, which often reflects an athletic aesthetic and may be a natural fit for their personal sensibilities. A number of athletes have made a name for themselves with their eye-catching looks. Here a few who are worth getting to know better if they’re not already on your radar.

Daniel Sturridge, a celebrated English footballer who plays for both Liverpool and the English national team, also gets high marks for the original and inspired looks that set him apart from his peers. Off the pitch, this ambassador for Hugo Boss is more likely than not to be seen rocking his trademark bomber jacket or pieces from Hood by Air and Opening Ceremony. He also pays careful attention to footwear, sporting kicks like Nike Air Presto Lightnings or the Air Max OG. Reportedly, his sneaker collection includes over 100 pairs!

Ivorian superstar Didier Drogba first caught the attention of footie fans during his stint at Chelsea, for whom he scored more goals than any other foreign player. Now approaching retirement, he’s still admired for his keen fashion sense and can be spotted wearing casually chic streetwear off the pitch. Drogba partnered with noted men’s underwear brand HOM to design a line of swimwear and underwear. He once appeared alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, who also has his own line of CR7 underwear designed by Richard Chai, on the cover of Vanity Fair.

Some athletes take their love of fashion a step further and establish their own dedicated streetwear brands. International footballers Gavin Rae and Chris Burke joined forces with Premier League star Chris Davies in 2014 to form Seven One Zero, a high-end streetwear label featuring innovative design. Also known as 710, this shop showcases an athletic look that doesn’t skimp on style. 710 offers a creative line of tracksuits, graphic tees, and children’s wear as well.

Back in the United States, basketball legends like LeBron James draw accolades for their sartorial excellence. James’ Unknwn label offers a full range of streetwear staples such as hoodies, tees, and jackets from an impressive range of highly esteemed designers. The Cleveland Cavs star has championed fashion within the NBA, launching the first ever NBA Fashion Show in 2015.

The relationship between sports and fashion has deepened in recent years. Those of us who love streetwear have enjoyed watching our favorite athletes pioneer some incredible styles off the field. Keep your eye on what they rock and what they design, as it will likely continue to be quite inspiring!

Puffer jackets come out in force during the brisk winter months, and it’s not hard to understand why. They’re warm, fashionable, and they offer all the cold-weather protection you could ever want as the elements rage outside. With their cozy down insulation and their oversize silhouette, puffers are not only practical winter outerwear but chic too. Although their origins are in street style, puffer jackets have crossed over into mainstream everyday wear and high fashion as well.

Although the classic puffer jacket we all know and love is black and perhaps a bit bulky due to its trademark quilted insulation, sometimes also accentuated with a faux fur lined hood, there are many different ways to wear this streetwear staple. Women who aren’t so sure about the oversize look and would prefer a more traditionally feminine silhouette can choose a sleek puffer jacket that is nipped at the waist, for example. Men’s styles can get creative and bold too—Used Future’s space-age silver puffer jacket looks as futuristic as it is warm. Drake wore a now-iconic red Moncler puffer jacket in his Hotline Bling video, boosting the Italian fashion brand’s sales dramatically as fans clamored to purchase identical puffers for themselves.

High fashion has taken note of the puffer jacket trend and brought it to the runways. Demna Gvasalia’s visually arresting Balenciaga puffer is one such example. This scarlet incarnation of the classic puffer is as elegant and inviting, with its voluminous layers, as it is haute in its presentation. And Stella McCartney’s Marcelline Coat in Blue Ink, resplendent in deep blue velvet, clearly evokes the puffer jacket’s quilted design while adding a high stand collar. It balances luxury with functionality, appearing as warm and protective as it is decadent.

Streetwear brands, of course, still prominently feature puffer jackets in their winter collections. Supreme, for example, has a reversible pullover puffer in military camo, sky blue, white, red, and black. Perhaps the most popular puffer jacket you’ll actually encounter on the street is, of course, from The North Face. They offer a complete line of puffers for men, women, and children in a range of hues and styles—some with elegant decorative stitching meant to accentuate women’s waists, others with more sporty, streamlined looks for men.

There’s a reason the puffer has endured as a classic wardrobe staple: it’s warm, comfortable, versatile, and it’s always in style. This iconic streetwear jacket, once typically associated with hip-hop culture, is now a fashion favorite for people of all walks of life around the world.

Streetwear continues to make major inroads into fashion, and it’s showing no signs of letting up. Last month we talked about how streetwear boots are becoming all the rage. Did you know that socks are also receiving the full streetwear fashion treatment? Believe it or not, the answer is yes. You might think that they’d be an afterthought, but that’s not the case at all. And there are some interesting ways in which this trend may influence the fashion collections and designers you follow.

Stance Socks has rolled out a wide variety of different, colorful special edition socks for both men and women, including Star Wars, NBA, MLB, and Disney versions. This being the holiday season, Christmas-themed sets are also available. The women’s collection includes a collaboration line, Fenty for Stance, which fuses traditional Japanese themes with sweetwear and punk attitudes.

Kith has also partnered with Stance on a collaboration line of Crew and Super Invisible, Crew, and Ankle Fusion Performance socks designed for everyday and athletic use. These stockings, subtly decorated with the Kith logo, appear in black, navy, grey, white, and red. Back in the Land of the Rising Sun, Japanese streetwear brand Cav Empt (aka C.E.) creates clean and simple color-blocked socks with contrasting graphic designs throughout.

Throwback looks are definitely a major theme. Anenberg, for its part, is pulling no punches. It sells some striking crew socks in a variety of colors that evoke an earlier era of street style. If skater gear is more your preference, Huf has some familiar designs—including the old Thrasher magazine logo and marijuana leaves—as well as some cute Peanuts socks.

The nostalgia trend is even global in nature. Russian-born designer Gosha Rubchinskiy, known for creating looks that harken back to Soviet-era imagery, has a pair of bright red socks with a blue sunburst pattern available for a cool 30 euros. R-SSA, meanwhile, promotes similar USSR nostalgia with pink socks for women reading “Russian Princess” in Cyrillic.

As with other streetwear trends, you can wear street-inspired socks any number of ways. Some are meant to be prominently displayed; you can imagine Rihanna’s Fenty for Stance socks being paired up with open-faced high-heeled shoes for a sexy, daring look, for example. Huf and Anenberg’s socks are loud and proud, daring those they encounter to engage with their bold statement. Others are more low-key, like the Cav Empt versions, which reflect a subtle sensibility on the part of the wearer. The appeal of streetwear socks is that they truly offer something for everyone. Whatever your outlook, mood, or state of mind, there’s a sock for you, and you can rock it according to your own personal style.