Adidas lifestyle: why Gazelle, Campus stay winning

Can you hear that rumble? It’s the sound of hoards of Gen A’s coming of age and chasing after our Gen Z lifestyle creds. But we’re not ready to stand down yet, particularly since one of the first battles is about our beloved classic kicks from Adidas. The Gazelle’s still holding its cool-kid status, the Samba’s basically everywhere, and now the Campus is getting love from the next wave. Gen A’s making it their go-to sneaker, pairing it with baggy jeans, puffers, friendship bracelets or whatever else is trending on TikTok this week.

So before you take sides or let yourself get intimidated by the sight of 10 year olds swarming tester stands at Sephora, let’s revisit our sneaker history to help you make an informed decision.

How Adidas lifestyle sneakers took over

Adidas’ lifestyle sneakers go way back, and what started on the track or court slowly made its way into everyday fits.

The Gazelle dropped in the late ‘60s, originally designed for training. But it didn’t take long for it to hit the streets. By the ‘90s, you’d spot it on Britpop bands, hip-hop heads and skaters alike. Simple suede, bold stripes, and low-key flex.

The same goes for the Campus. Born as a basketball shoe, it got picked up by skaters and streetwear fans in the early 2000s. Fast forward to 2025, and Gen A’s putting their own spin on it, pairing it with oversized tees, joggers, and puffers.

Adidas always had that low-effort cool. They weren’t chasing hype, they were just making sneakers that worked with your wardrobe and that you could find while boutique shopping or browsing through large retailer’s displays. They go great with all lifestyles and activities, pairing well with outdoor clothing and chill athletic wear. It’s all about a comfortable fit that makes sense for anyone who loves to wear clothes that speak for them. Here in Aurora, Colorado where we’re blessed with amazing opportunities to go out on the town, engage in indoor activities or explore the great outdoors, Adidas sneakers are a cross generational style that people love.

Campus: Gen A’s favorite sneaker right now

If you’ve been outside (or have had your head buried in your TikTok feed), you already know that the Adidas Campus is the sneaker Gen A can’t get enough of. Especially the Campus 00s. It’s chunky, it’s bold, and it hits that perfect middle ground between old-school skate vibes and today’s streetwear fits.

The Campus isn’t trying to be flashy. That’s the whole point. With suede uppers, clean lines, and fat laces, it’s got that chill confidence. It’s the kind of sneaker that looks just as good with shorts, oversized cargos and a crop top as it does with a hoodie and joggers. You’ll catch it styled with puffers in the winter and mesh tanks by summer.  

And it’s not just a TikTok trend. Gen A is wearing the Campus to school, to the mall, and to hang with friends. It fits in with everyday life without feeling boring. Plus, it actually lasts. That’s huge when you’re shopping for shoes that need to keep up with, well, everything. Parents like them because they’re practical. Gen A likes them because they look sick in fit pics.

Gazelle: the comeback kid

The Adidas Gazelle never really went away, but it popped back in the last couple years, taking over streetwear blogs, IG dumps, and boutique clothing shop racks as the must have retro sneaker.

Part of the hype came from the usual suspects: fashion girlies, style influencers, and celeb co-signs. Think Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner rocking them with socks and mini skirts. But it’s not just a celeb thing. The Gazelle works because it’s simple, clean and actually wearable. Suede upper, slim profile, just enough stripes, it gives vintage without feeling like a costume.

They’ve especially taken off with folks who love mixing athletic wear and everyday fits. People are styling them with track pants, slouchy denim, outdoor clothing, even dresses. The colorways are fire too: pastels, neutrals and bold tones. In a sea of chunky sneakers and overdesigned collabs, the Gazelle feels like a breath of fresh air. It’s a sneaker that you keep on your rotation because it fits your whole closet.

Samba, Spezial & Forum: Adidas has more heat where that came from

Now that you’ve refreshed what you know about the Campus and Gazelle, don’t forget the rest of the Adidas lineup.  

Let’s talk Samba first. This one went from old-school indoor soccer shoe to certified fashion must-have. It’s sleek, low-cut and pairs perfectly with literally anything—baggy jeans, long skirts, bike shorts, whatever. That gum sole? Always a win.  

Then there’s the Handball Spezial. Kinda like the Samba’s cousin, but a little chunkier and more laid-back. Super wearable and underrated, it’s been picking up momentum with sneakerheads who like to stand out without doing the most.

The Forum Low is a bit of a different vibe—more vintage athletic wear energy. With its retro basketball roots and padded collar, it brings back that early 2000s look that’s trending again.

The flipside: The adidas Yeezys

We can’t talk about Adidas’ classics without also mentioning their futuristic designs, the most famous being the adidas Yeezys. That collection, launched in 2015 was a bit of an antidote to the classics. While the Gazelle and Campus thrive on retro vibes, Yeezys went full futuristic. From the chunky 700s to the foam-like Slides and alien-looking Foam Runners, the whole collection pushed boundaries, not just in sneaker design, but in how we wear clothes with them. They’re bold, sculptural and super recognizable. With the sell off of the Yeezy inventory in 2022, we’re not sure yet how Adidas will replace the future looking aesthetic, but we at Notorious Lifestyle still carry an extensive line of Yeezys. Visit us at the Town Center at Aurora to get your hand on one of those before they disappear from the shelves.