| In the first of our four part series looking at the | | | | be worn with virtually anything and still look good. |
| world history of trainers, we look at the period | | | | 1969 - Adidas Superstar |
| from 1917 to 1972. This period includes a selection | | | | This was the first low top basketball shoe to be |
| of some of the first trainers produced including | | | | made and is known by millions as the "shell toe", a |
| the Stan Smith from Adidas and the Pro-Keds | | | | feature that was included to protect the toes of |
| Royal Plus. | | | | the players. A favourite on the hip hop scene with |
| 1917 - Converse All Star | | | | its chunky fit and styling, Run-DMC released the |
| Launched in 1917 and taking the Chuck Taylor | | | | song "My Adidas" in recognition of the shoe. The |
| name from 1923 in honour of the world famous | | | | trainer, worn by basketball legend Kareem Abdul |
| basketball player, the shoe has been a favourite in | | | | Jabbar when they were released, can be seen |
| the music world and has been associated with | | | | worn across the globe today including in every US |
| Snoop Dogg and bands including The Ramones | | | | prison! |
| and The Strokes. The shoe also featured in the | | | | 1971 - Pro-Keds Royal Plus |
| film "I, Robot" starring Will Smith. The trainer's | | | | Available as either a high or low top, these |
| classic status, history and styling should mean it is | | | | trainers were easily recognisable by their red and |
| around for many years to come. | | | | navy stripes. Developed for the basketball court, |
| 1964 - Adidas Stan Smith | | | | these Keds were worn by Nate Archibald of the |
| Quality design and still popular across the world | | | | Kansas City Kings. |
| since it's launch as the first all-leather performance | | | | 1972 - Adidas SL 72 |
| tennis shoe. The shoe has been re-issued in many | | | | With the 'SL' standing for Super Light, these |
| colours over the years but this is the classic white | | | | trainers were designed for the 1972 Olympics in |
| model, combining retro and athletic fashion. These | | | | Munich and were incredibly light. These trainers |
| trainers go with any outfit. | | | | featured a built in heel counter and were re-issued |
| 1968 - Puma Suede | | | | in 2004. |
| The basic design of these trainers, coupled with | | | | That's it for the first instalment, next time we will |
| the wide variety of colours, these are one of the | | | | look at the period up to 1987 which includes the |
| world's best loved shoes. The 1990s brought | | | | birth of the mighty Jordan. |
| about a revival of these Puma classics which can | | | | |