Trainers have always been my go-to footwear. Sure, I’ve dabbled in a heel in my younger years, worn a wedge on holiday, and I’ll often frequent a slider around the garden, but it’s trainers that have my heart and sole (pun fully intended!). From running trainers, waterproof trainers, and hiking trainers to fashion trainers like ladies black trainers, men’s white trainers (well, I do have big feet), or unisex colourful trainers I am here for them all. I want comfort, I want flat, I want practicality, I want versatility, and I want them to look cool.
It’s not much to ask, right!?!
Seeing as we’re at the point of transitioning from Spring to Summer and as the weather seems to be sorting itself out, I’m keen to steer away from my usual safe black and white trainer choices and branch out to a more colourful palette. And it’s perfect timing, because adidas have sent me a gift card to use on their website (perks of being a blogger) and when it comes to colourful trainers, they are literally the GOAT.
With the help of my teenage daughter, because of course she’d want in on this free trainer lark, we’ve chosen 5 colourful adidas trainers to help brighten up our wardrobes for the Summer. And hopefully it will help inspire you to add more colour to yours too.
Handball Spezial Women’s Shoes
Last year I bought a gorgeous green and pink dress, which I wore in Lake Garda over the summer, and ever since then I have literally been obsessed with this colour combo. So much so that I’ve used both colours in the branding for my new blog strategy business, I love it that much. When I found a pair of colourful adidas trainers in a bold and vibrant green and pink, it was like destiny. They had to be mine!
Handball Spezial trainers were originally designed for indoor sports, such as handball, because they offer good traction on indoor court floors. The combination of soft nubuck and suede overlays and mudguards also make them durable and lightweight, perfect for quick changes of movement and good turn of speed. Now, this was back in the 70s, when let’s be honest, trainers were worn for sport and sport alone. These days however, sports trainers like adidas Handball Spezials have evolved into being more of an iconic fashion statement. Especially when they’re as bright as these bad boys.
adidas have this incredible knack of combining vintage styling with a modern urban edge whilst at the same time keeping the design functional and comfortable. It’s what I love most about them as a brand. If you wear these trainers, you’re asking to be noticed. You’re making a very loud and punchy fashion statement. Whether they’re worn casually with jeans or as a colour pop wow with a monochrome dress, they’ll be the first thing people notice about your outfit. And I am all for that!
Grand Court Alpha Shoes
If someone had given me the choice a few years back between a pair of colourful adidas trainers or a pair of boxfresh white trainers, the white trainers would have won hands down. I’ve lost count of the number of white trainers I’ve got hanging around. My husband literally despairs of me every time I sneak a new pair into the house, but a girl can’t have too many white trainers, right!?!
Thing is, I’m kinda now feeling like a girl can’t have too many colourful trainers either, cos there are just too many cute ones out there to choose from. Like these incredible electric blue Grand Court Alpha shoes. I mean, come on, they’re stunning.
For the sake of transparency, unfortunately you can’t get this particular colourway in the Grand Court Alphas at the mo. The colour is available in other styles, and you can get Grand Court Alphas in different colours, so take a look. Although adidas regularly change the colours in their trainer ranges to reflect current trends, the colour ranges they do offer are vast. If you do a search on the website and filter by colour, you’ll deffo find a trainer that suits your need and personality
But back to the Grand Court Alphas…
I know the three stripes are a massive giveaway when it comes to spotting an adidas trainer in the wild, but I can’t help thinking that these trainers in particular are even more adidas than the others. It’s the chunky, almost cartoon nature of them that make them unmistakeably adidas.
The classic trainer that’s giving stylish girl about town, popping to the shops vibes. The Cloudfoam midsole cushions means they’re super comfy, so if you want to go on an all day shopping bender, you totally can. And the super soft lining literally hugs your foot securely in place while the rubber outsole keeps a spring in your step. This is a no blisters zone!
They’re sleek, sporty and effortlessly easy to style and as far as colourful adidas trainers go these are up there with the best.
Gazelle Shoes
The first pair of adidas trainers I bought were a pair of black gazelles. I was 15. We’re talking, classic 90s footwear. I bought them from my mum’s catalogue, back when catalogue shopping was a thing, and I spent the next 6 months paying them off in instalments from my earnings as a paper girl. But it was so worth it. I thought I was the coolest human alive. You see, I was a teenager during the Oasis Blur indie pop wars. Gazelle trainers were the only footwear. If you didn’t have a pair of these, you were a nobody. And I wanted to be a somebody… or at the very least, fit in.
It’s testament both to a brand and a design if a trainer is still riding high in the style stakes over 50 years after it was first bought to market. And just like the Handball Spezials and probably most of adidas’ shoes, the Gazelles have evolved from a training shoe into an iconic must-have wardrobe accessory.
The timeless T-toe design (that’s the bit at the front that looks like a T) is made up of a suede upper with synthetic leather overlays and a rubber outsole, which has a honeycomb tread pattern to give good traction underfoot.
I’ve checked back on the adidas website and this burgundy pink colour combo isn’t currently listed, but there are soooo many other colour choices available. I love to pair these with wide legged jeans and a printed tee for a smart casual evening meal out with friends or with my black cropped jumpsuit to go out for pub garden drinks.
Adidas Handball Spezial Kids Shoes
My teenage daughter has been lusting after these Handball Spezial trainers since I can’t even begin to tell you when. So, when I messaged her (because that’s totally how parents communicate with their teens these days, right?!!) to tell her my adidas gift card had arrived and that I was writing a post all about colourful adidas trainers she was literally out of her room and by my side before I’d even had a chance to notice the double blue ticks on her WhatsApp message!
The good news for me is that she just about still fits into the kids’ sizes, which means more bang for our buck. Yes, I know the gift card was free, but it’s all about getting the most for your money, right?!?
These are basically the same as the adult Handball Spezials I chose for myself, but a kid’s version and she’s gone for a slightly more subtle colour choice of Night Indigo/Orchid Fusion/Gum (gotta love the names adidas come up with for their colours!). These will go well with so many items in her very packed wardrobe, which also makes me happy as a mum as I know she’ll get good wear out of them.
Like me, my daughter is all about the comfort. She can’t stand shoes that rub, that need to be worn in, or that feel like they’re restricting her feet. But obviously as a style conscious teenager, looks massively matters too. The 70s retro design combined with the grippy rubber cupsole and soft suede upper means she gets the best of both worlds. And trust me, when you manage to meet the high demands of a teenage girl, you are winning at life!
Gazelle Indoor Shoes
Another thing my daughter loves is the colour pink, particularly the pale pastel pink of these trainers, so these are pretty much the trainers of dreams for her. They’re perfect for the Summer and I’ve not doubt they’ll be coming with us when we go on holiday in a couple of week’s time.
I must admit, it puts a smile on my face knowing she’s the age I was when I got my first pair of Gazelles. Teenage me would be super impressed and she’d no doubt be glad to see that her favourite shoes were still just as stylish now as they were then.
So, what makes the indoor version different to the standard Gazelles?
Well, the indoor label refers to the fact that these trainers have a modified gum rubber sole. And what this means is that they can be worn indoors on surfaces like wooden floors or smooth sports halls style courts or floors without the risk of leaving scuff marks. It’s also a softer, more flexible sole therefore providing a bouncier and more cushioned feel to each step. I guess it’s a little bit like having the comfort of slippers but with the look of pair of cool trainers.
These include a lot of the same features as the original Gazelles but with increased comfort in mind. Which makes them a really versatile footwear choice for both indoor and outdoor use. Because yes, they’re called indoor shoes, but they can easily withstand outdoor settings too. Just remember to wipe your shoes before coming into the house!
Final Thoughts
I know it can seem like a big leap switching from safe, quiet monochrome trainers to bold, look at me, stand out from the crowd colourful ones. And I totally get that there may be concerns about how much you’d wear them in comparison to white ‘go with everything’ trainers. But if you’re looking to make a statement this Summer, colourful trainers are where it’s at!
You’d be surprised at how versatile colourful trainers can be. I’ve been amazed at how often I wear mine and now see them as a central focus to my outfits. I’m almost at the point of choosing what trainer I’m wearing that day and then basing my outfit around that. It certainly makes life easier and a whole lot colourful too.
So, if you’re looking for ways to brighten up your wardrobe this Summer, go check out the impressive range of colourful adidas trainers on the website and make sure to let me know which ones you go for!
*all adidas trainers gifted by adidas for review purposes
Author Bio
Becky Stafferton is a full-time content creator, web publisher, and blog strategy coach. She continually strives to promote a realistic, sustainable and positive image of how to lead a healthy life. When she’s not writing she can be found running through muddy puddles, making lists of lists, having a good old moan, talking in funny voices to her dog, renovating her house in the country, and teaching small business owners how to successfully use blogging in their businesses.