The adidas Originals Italia is one of the earliest models in the adidas archive. Designed in the late 1950s for the 1960 Rome Olympic Games, this lightweight and streamlined silhouette anticipated the language of many later sneakers and remains a reference within terrace style today.
The story of the adidas Italia begins in 1959, shortly before the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. Conceived as a versatile training shoe, it stood out for its slim profile, thin rubber outsole and lightweight construction designed for movement. Its white and blue design with gold details reflected the sporting spirit of the era.
The adidas Italia established itself as one of the foundational models in the adidas catalogue, even predating well-known silhouettes such as the Gazelle. Among its distinctive features are the clean three stripes, gold foil branding and heel details reminiscent of other models from the 1960s.
FROM TRAINING TO TERRACE STYLE
Over the years, the adidas Italia found a new place within casual footwear culture. Its narrow silhouette, minimalist outsole and lightweight construction naturally fitted into the terrace scene, where sports-inspired sneakers gained a new meaning on the streets.
Current reissues recover the original versions from the 1960s and 1970s, very similar to each other but with small differences in structure, paneling and outsole shape. These variations keep the model’s legacy alive while revisiting different moments of its history without losing its classic character.
ADIDAS ORIGINALS ITALIA AT FOOTDISTRICT
Discover the different versions of the adidas Originals Italia at FOOTDISTRICT and explore a silhouette that connects the early years of modern sport with contemporary terrace style. Find the available reissues and choose the one that best fits your way of understanding the adidas archive.
