It’s not uncommon for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to enrage large groups of people with his decision-making - but the fashion community is not usually one of them. And this time, he’s picked the wrong group of people to mess with.
A recent incident involving Rishi Sunak and his choice of footwear has caused quite a controversy after the PM was spotted wearing a pair of Adidas Samba OGs for an interview promoting his tax policies. Overnight, the iconic white trainer fell from grace as the cool girl footwear of 2024, with X users quick to make jokes about the Sambas' newfound reputation.
One read: “Distinct lack of Sambas on the Peckham to Dalston overground this morning. Sense of fear and uncertainty in the air.”
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Another added: “Thinking of the Adidas Samba community at this difficult time,” a third describing the ordeal as “absolutely unforgivable”.
Sat watching the news unfold, I joked to my parents “well, at least that’ll knock the price down”. The once-beloved trainer, popular among celebrities and fashion icons like Harry Styles, the Gallagher brothers and Bella Hadid, had lost its cool appeal.
Fashion and lifestyle magazines including Dazed and GQ respectively said "Rishi has killed Sambas" and asked: "Can Rishi Sunak leave the Adidas Samba alone, please?" The Telegraph even said the trainer has been “killed off by Rishi in one fell swoop".
However, as a shoe-obsessed fashion journalist, I don’t think I’m ready to delete the Samba OG from the top of my wishlist just yet. As someone who has long admired the timeless trainer, even buying my partner a pair for Christmas this year, I refuse to let one incident tarnish their reputation.
I honestly think that for one badly dressed politician, there are plenty of other beloved and likeable characters to prevent you from listing your pair on Vinted just yet. Despite being on the feet of every other person in any major city this summer, the Samba isn’t a new trainer by any stretch, and has been kicking about in some form or another for more than 50 years - and will likely be for the next five decades to come.
Developed in 1949 to help football players play on icy surfaces, the trainer has become a fashion thoroughbred, becoming as iconic as it is difficult to get your mitts on. But what is it about them that makes them as appealing for Hollywood a-listers and social media influencers as it does our dads and boyfriends?
The Samba OG is a trainer that blends retro appeal with modern fashion, with its classic three-stripe design, gum sole and rounded toe, making it just about the most wearable, versatile and comfortable trainer to wear for any occasion. They look as good with dresses and skirts as they do with jeans (just not white shirts and navy trousers, Rishi) giving an effortless but put-together overall look.
I think one of the main reasons seeing Rishi Sunak sporting a pair of Sambas is as jarring as seeing your teacher in the pub or a dog walk on its hind legs is because, over the years, it’s their working-class roots, pop culture links and association with football terraces, alongside their affordability that has fostered a sense of community with its wearers.
It felt like the PM was trying to be relatable, cool and relevant. But if he is determined to win over the younger generation, he will have to do more than wear a pair of Sambas.
He has since, however, apologised for the apparent faux pas, but defended wearing the shoe saying he had been a "long-time devotee" of them for many years and questioned the level of interest in his fashion choices. He said: "Well, I issue a fulsome apology to the Samba community.
"But in my defence, I would say I have been wearing Adidas and Sambas and others, in fact, for many, many years. It's the first pair my brother got for me many, many years ago. [I got] my first pair of fun Adidas trainers as a Christmas present and I haven't looked back since so I've been a long-time devotee."
Asked if he bought the pair he was wearing on Instagram, he said: "That pair I did but I've had Adidas trainers for a very, very long time."
If you’ve been undeterred and still want to get your hands on a pair of OG Sambas, there are plenty of places you can find them online, including JD, ASOS and the Adidas website, where they’re all £90. Wynsors also has some men’s sizes in stock for £75.
Elsewhere though, John Lewis’ Felixe Leather Two Tone Vulcanised Trainers come in at £69 and are a striking alternative to the Adidas brand, with similar styles available at Stradivarius, with a casual retro design for £29.99.
Rishi Sunak's fashion faux pas may have made headlines, but I won't let it affect my view of these veteran wardrobe must-haves, much like how I still eat chicken nuggets after that Jamie Oliver clip. In fact, now I just want them in different colours.