Long gone are the days where the sole purpose of shoes were to cover your feet. Now more than ever, sneakers have become an integral part of our wardrobes as well as self-identity, with each one of us, whether we’re aware of it or not, making strong sartorial statements each time we get ready to step out of the house.
Each pair of footwear is an expression in its own unique way. Tying your shoelaces nowadays can feel like a lot like tying the knot with a specific brand you think represents you best. While some of us love switching things up by adding a streetwear edge to our aesthetic with culture-making brands like Nike or Adidas, others want to dress to impress via higher-end luxury brands. And, given the abundance of footwear options on the market at the moment, there is enough to cater to everyone’s needs, though it can be quite hard to get your hands on the holy grail item you’ve been patiently waiting to cop.
Between bots, resellers, and just limited quantities produced in general, all of us have taken an L at one point or another, and are familiar with the subsequent feeling of extreme disappoint when we see that “order failed” notification. For that reason, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to select five of our favorite sneaker releases dropping soon, or at least still widely available, for you to cop. Our advice? Set a reminder— or two.
Bottega Veneta ‘Pillow Sneaker’
Release date: Available now
Mere weeks after its much-talked-about show during Milan Fashion Week, Bottega Veneta is tapping into roller-skating culture, taking us back to the 90s with a brand new sneaker. Playing with proportions and coming in three different colorways, black, white, and green, these sneakers feel like walking on clouds. Available at Bottega Veneta flagships, as well as Level Shoes at Dubai Mall, these trainers are a must-have for the cooler season.
Nike Dunk Low ‘Halloween’ 2022
Release date: Available now
Get ready for Halloween with these all-time classics. Featuring a festive color palette of orange, white, and black, these dunks are the perfect accessory for trick-or-treating. If you ask us, they would look sick well beyond Oct. 31, too.
New Balance BB550
Release date: Oct. 19
New Balance is blowing new life into its iconic BB550, granting the pair with new colors that many will of us will certainly dig. Punctuated with dashes of baby blue, honeycomb yellow, and marks of chocolate brown, this on-trend iteration of the classic sneaker is a definite cop in our books. The brand has also scheduled to release the BB550 in other color-ways today, but this one is definitely our favorite.
Reebok Shaq Attaq
Release date: Nov. 12
In celebration of former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal’s 30th anniversary since the launch of his signature shoe with Reebok, the American sportswear brand will be releasing a special colorway that will seek to honor the acclaimed athlete’s time with the Los Angeles Lakers. As you can imagine, the high-tops come with dashes of the team’s recognizable colors, namely yellow and purple, and are perfect for taking a walk down memory lane and embracing the 90s vibe.
Fila Grant Hill II Low
Release date: Available now
Just before Karim Benzema accepted his Ballon d’Or in a Tupac-inspired fit, sportswear giant Fila launched a special-edition collection of apparel, accessories, and footwear to honor the late iconic rapper. The Grant Hill II Low sneakers, made in collaboration with the Shakur estate, were famously worn by Tupac in the iconic album artwork for All Eyez on Me and were a staple in his wardrobe.
