Remixing iconic footwear silhouettes has become a common way for brands to give their retro hits an updated flare. And Puma has never shied away from going bigger and better.
The German athleticwear giant’s iconic Suede shoe has undergone several changes in its over 50-year lifespan. Since its initial release in 1968 as Puma’s first “lifestyle” shoe – in an era when sneakers had not yet entered the leisure-dressing realm – it has cycled through several name and design changes: from its original Puma Crack, later evolving into Clyde and Puma States, and finally landing on the now-classic Puma Suede, named for its signature material.
The new Suede XL is heavily inspired by the nostalgic skateboarding culture of the ‘90s and early 2000s. And true to its name, it’s big.
Reminiscent of the skateboarding golden era, the larger-than-life sneaker’s key design elements include exaggerated proportions, a padded tongue and Formstrip, and ultra-wide laces. The supersized Suede comes to shelves in an “Electric Blue” colorway, with more color variety to come later this year.
The Puma Suede XL is currently available online and in select Puma retailers for AED 469.