The taking of a daily stroll or jog has, in these strange times, become the focal point of the day.
For some, an opportunity to don those fabulous, fresh-out-the-box boots, for others (likely most), an exercise in trainer-clad comfort trundling.
And among the Allbirds and Vejas, the Converse and Vans, anyone who has been paying attention to the sneaker selections of the style set of late, will have noticed a particular retro running shoe label has very much returned to the fashion fore.
New Balance, an American brand launched back in 1906, first jogged onto the fashion scene in the late eighties, when the 574 style debuted and quickly became as popular off track as it was on.
Since then its popularity has ebbed an flowed, but the launch of a new style, the New Balance 530, back in December, has catapulted the brand back onto the fashion girl lust list.
The chunky style, side-splashed with the brand’s signature ‘N,’ is a throwback to one of the brand’s classic running shoes; and we’ve already spotted everyone from Lucy Williams to Pernille Taisbeck and Emily Oberg rocking the retro silhouette as part of their stay-home chic.
In the paler, white colourways, the 530 looks as fresh paired with those WFH trakkies as it does summery dresses, which goes some way to explain why the lighter colours of the style are sold out almost everywhere online.
ASOS, which stocked an exclusive white colourway of the 530 earlier this year, has noticed a 40 per cent increase in searches for the brand versus last year, with all 530 styles they stock selling out within a month of launch. Footwear retailer Schuh has also seen a “definite increase in demand for New Balance especially across ladies over the past few months,” with the 530 its best-selling silhouette. Demand is such that Schuh is expanding and diversifying the New Balance range it stocks for this season.
Fashion search platform Lyst has also noticed a trend: Sneakers are, they confirmed, the top-performing category over the past 15 days, globally, and the New Balance 530 style is among the top 5 most-searched-for styles over the past month.
Looking to put a spring in your step on that daily stroll? Look no further - and scroll for some of our favourite looks from the 'gram...
Shop New Balance at newbalance.co.uk and asos.com.
