Words by Jenny Bär
There’s nothing quite like the world of Gucci. Over the last century, the house has ascended from luggage maker to one of the most sought-after superbrands of all time. Following Alessandro Michele’s influential reign, the label is now under the creative direction of Sabato de Sarno, who’s ready to dream up fashion’s future icons.
As legend goes, the brand was the first to drop a luxury sneaker — the now sought-after Tennis low-tops, released in 1977 — and continues to lend athletic silhouettes its distinctive high-fashion touch in the form of ‘GG’ patches, Web stripes and monogrammed canvas paneling. Plus, its trend-driven silhouettes, including basketball-inspired profiles and dad-style reincarnations, have gained the seal of approval from Florence Welch, A$AP Rocky and more.
Here, we uncover the five most-wanted Gucci sneakers of the season. Get set to step up your footwear game, the Gucci way.
The Mac80
Following a second hugely successful collaboration with adidas where the sneakers stole the show,Gucci has dropped its own take on an iconic sneaker silhouette: the Mac80, modeled on 1980s basketball styles. This particular pair is the all-white rendition, a colorway that will appeal to minimalist fashion devotees and sneakerheads alike. The ribbed fabric panels introduce a shiny, almost silver, shade of white that makes the 3D logo insignia — the ‘Interlocking G’ on the side and ‘GUCCI’ lettering on the tongue — pop. Its overall feel is quietly elevated, perfect for grounding jeans-and-tee combinations as well as dresses and tailoring. If you’re in search of a pair with a glamorous edge, consider the metallic gold and silver releases on FARFETCH, too.
The Run
The Run sneakers are Gucci’s riff on ever-trending high-performance styles. They made their debut at the house’s spring/summer 2022 collection under the slogan ‘Don’t Run’ — of course you can, but why would you when all eyes are on your shoes? — and feature a streamlined profile that’ll lend non-workout looks an elevated feel.
Paneled with supple suede, this pair is a fresh take on the original tech-knit design. The quirky colorway, featuring hits of purple, magenta and pale blue, is typically Gucci and has sandy beige as a base — ideal for spotlighting the ‘Interlocking G’ emblem on the sidewall. The Run is available in myriad colorways on FARFETCH. Simply choose the pair that best speak to your style.
The GG Canvas
The Original GG Canvas sneakers have, quite literally, Gucci written all over them: they’re patterned with ‘GGs’ in a neat diamond formation. First introduced in 1969, the instantly recognizable canvas fabrication has endured decades of changing fashion tastes — it’s that classic. It’s durable, too, so you’ll be in good company for some time with this pair.
Style-wise, this low-top rendition takes cues from classic tennis shoes (look closely and you’ll spot the retro Tennis 1977 logo on the tongue). But the platform and serrated rubber sole — which, for insider knowledge, is embossed with repeat ‘GGs’ — make them feel totally of-the-moment. Plus, you get some height without sacrificing comfort. Those looking to amp up the stompy proportions even more will love the brand's high-top iteration.
The Basket
Gucci's Basket sneakers don’t need any introduction; the clue’s in the name. In case you’re here for the backstory, though, they were first released in 2021 as a high-top version and given the classic Gucci treatment with punchy colour mashups and dynamic branding. No lesser tribute to the immensely influential sport, the low-top iteration dropped in 2022 and boasts the same on-court hoop detailing seen on the house’s original style.
This particular style comes in monochrome black and white, but those looking for added punch will fall for color-pop pairs like these. They’re made with the house’s bespoke Demetra fabric, which uses animal-free raw materials — mainly from renewable and bio-based sources — but looks and feels like the real thing. In fact, it undergoes the same tanning process as the house’s leather pieces, so the craftsmanship is just as impeccable.
The Screener GG
For the sports novices, Gucci's Screener GG sneakers are named after a defensive move lifted from basketball and other team sports. First released for spring/summer 2019, the design celebrates 1970s sneaker style as seen through the eclectic lens of the house.
This suede-panelled pair is enlivened with pink GG canvas panelling and the signature Web stripe, here rendered in blue and yellow for contrast. It’s a pristine interpretation of the scuffed original (though we’ve got those, too) and comes complete with an enamelled logo plaque and retro-branded tongue for even more old-school appeal. Our favourite details? The towelling-style lining and bee-debossed rubber sole. They may be hidden to onlookers, but add that special something that makes Gucci sneakers truly Gucci.
Your need-to-know sizing advice
SIZE: Gucci sneakers fit large. For the most comfortable fit, we recommend selecting half a size down.
FIT: The silhouettes have a roomy fit with a fully cushioned interior which ensures comfort for all-day wear.
CARE: To protect glitter or suede styles, we recommend using a protector. To clean leather shoes, we’d advise using a soft-bristle brush with warm soapy water, while shoelaces can be placed in the washing machine on a cold setting. Keep your Gucci sneakers looking fresh for longer by storing them in their original dust bag and shoe box.