It’s a shoe hailed as a fashion favourite across the globe – but according to the internet, the sneakers’ time in the sun may be over.
The Adidas Sambas have been worn by Rihanna, Paul Mescal, Harry Styles and many more, from supermodels to rappers.
They’ve been called a “casual classic” and are a shoe which can be worn almost anywhere.
So why are some claiming it has suddenly fallen from grace?
It all began when the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak posted an Instagram video last week.
In the video, Sunak explained the government’s latest tax and childcare policies. But his explanations were overshadowed to a degree by his “everyman” kicks.
"The sambas, guess he’s one of us now," said one comment. Another sarcastically suggested the shoe choice helped the video become "easily understandable and relatable".
British media were also quick to weigh in on the shoe craze.
"Yet another try-hard bid to appear relatable has backfired," wrote journalist Michael Hogan for The Guardian.
"In a bid to present himself as young and hip… Sunak took an eternally cool sneaker, and ruined it for everyone," British GQ reported.
Telegraph journalist Ed Cumming also Tweeted: "Thinking of the Adidas Samba community at this difficult time."
CNN reported the sudden uproar over Sunak’s shoe choice may not be down to the fact it is hard to imagine the wealthiest Prime Minister in British history sporting $180 shoes.
Instead, they suggest it is about where he wore them. The Adidas Sambas for the UK Prime Minister were labelled a "transparent attempt at signal dressing, if not a potential distraction” from his interview and political explanation.
Even the biggest sneaker fans know there is an appropriate time for a gum sole – and it seems the British public have decided in front of the camera at 10 Downing Street is not it.
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