WORDS BY JOSEPH FURNESS
When concepts of the Yeezy 450 – originally dubbed the Yeezy 451 – began to circulate circa summer ’18, the Twitterverse instantly rejected it. In fact, the majority exclaimed that they wouldn’t be caught dead in such a conceptual, prehistoric-looking sneaker. Now that the sneaker has finally dropped, thousands are eating their words.
Sure, the Yeezy 450 looks nothing like other sneakers on the market, but isn’t that the whole point? Why rock a sneaker that everyone’s got? Plus, it’s paramount to acknowledge that there's a method in Kanye’s madness: the Yeezy 450 is one of the most comfortable, practical and versatile sneakers to come from the adidas Yeezy collaboration. But don’t just take our word for it...
Below, five ahead-of-the-curve sneakerheads – including YouTubers Seth Fowler and Monsieur Banana (Li-Anne Kuek) – style the Cloud White Yeezy 450 and share details of Yeezy 450 sizing, fit, comfort and care.
Yeezy 450 Sizing, Fit and Styling Guide
Seth Fowler (@realsethfowler)
Sneaker YouTuber based in Philadelphia, US
The Yeezy 450 is the latest adidas Yeezy silhouette from Kanye West, and the first colorway is Cloud White. The sneaker is constructed with a knit upper and a unique foam midsole that features fingers that wrap up onto the upper. The design is, quite frankly, insane, but that’s why I’m in love with it.
Styling: The Yeezy 450s are easy to style; because they’re so wild, they stand out against whatever you wear them with. So, no matter if you’re rocking a plain tee with jeans or a bright, vibrant ensemble, the 450 is sure to be the focal point of your fit.
Sizing: The Yeezy 450 fits snug because of the knit upper. Bearing this in mind, I’d recommend going up a half size.
Comfort: The Yeezy 450 is a pretty comfortable shoe! The knit upper is breathable and flexible, and the midsole foam provides decent cushioning. No complaints from me.
Care: To keep the Yeezy 450 looking fresh, I clean out the small gaps between the foam fingers that wrap up onto the upper. Dirt always seems to find its way into those cupped areas and can make the sneaker look dirtier than it is.
Yeezy 450 Sizing, Fit and Styling Guide
Li-Anne Keuk (@monsieurbanana)
Sneaker YouTuber based in Melbourne, Australia
I've been anticipating the release of the Yeezy 450 sneaker ever since sample images found their way online; therefore, I’m over the moon that I was able to cop a pair when they recently dropped. Like most Yeezys, especially the Yeezy Foam Runner, the Yeezy 450 is a polarizing sneaker that's of a one-of-a-kind aesthetic. It’s the first Yeezy model to be made in Germany (the home of Adidas) and the first to feature a sock-like construction. But the most prominent detail on the sneaker is the Jaws-like midsole that encases the upper that gives the shoe its unusual aesthetic. I can’t wait to see it presented in more colorways.
Styling: The Yeezy 450 has quickly become my go-to sneaker, chiefly because it’s slim, distinctive and stylish. Personally, I feel as though it looks best paired with neutral-toned pants and shorts. Here, I’ve paired it with a men’s Jacquemus jacket and Le Chiquito bag for an effortless springtime look.
Sizing and fit: The Yeezy 450 definitely runs small, so I’d highly recommend sizing up half a size, or a full size up if you have wide feet.
Comfort: I find the Yeezy 450 to be very comfortable, even if it doesn’t have Boost in the midsole. Instead, it features a soft PU-injected midsole that offers a lightweight and flexible feel. The breathable sock-like upper – combined with the extended midsole cage design – creates a snug fit that wraps around your feet.
Care: I made sure to use a sneaker protector spray prior to my first wear. I like to maintain my sneakers and keep them looking fresh, especially when it’s a white/light colorway like Cloud White. I use a wet wipe to clean any midsole scuffs and I always check the weather before heading out. I won’t be wearing them if it’s ever too rainy.
Yeezy 450 Sizing, Fit and Styling Guide
Del Ten (@del.ten)
Sneaker Collector and Content Creator Based in the US
The Yeezy 450 – the first Yeezy to be made in Germany – was first announced by Kanye in summer 2018 and finally released in March 2021. Why do I love it? Because it’s wild, sculpted and versatile, especially in the OG Cloud White colorway. In fact, I’d say the neutral-hue sneaker is the perfect addition to my style.
Styling: The Yeezy 450 sneaker works well with my current wardrobe and my lifestyle. I can wear them with everything from joggers to formal pants to baggy denim jeans, which is why they’ll be in my sneaker rotation for a long time coming.
Sizing and fit: I’d recommend going up a size when purchasing Yeezy 450s. This way you can adjust the lacing system to your preference, and you can wear them with socks of your choice.
Comfort: In general, adidas Yeezy sneakers are very comfortable. I’m happy to report the Yeezy 450 is no exception. Relaxed, soft and stretchy, the shoe is an absolute pleasure to wear.
Care: The most important way to care for your Yeezy 450 is to ensure you don’t crease them; oh, and make sure you stay away from the rain. But when they do eventually accrue dirt, I’ll be using sneaker wipes and sprays to keep them looking brand-new.
Yeezy 450 Sizing, Fit and Styling Guide
Jenni (@jenniiiiii)
Creative and Co-Founder of The Binary Group based in the New York, US
The first colorway of every Yeezy model tends to be the most popular; accordingly, the Yeezy 450 Cloud White is highly sought after. My two favorite things about the shoes are that they’re constructed with just two materials, and they’re packaged in a tiny box which is more sustainable and easy to store than the usual Yeezy boxes.
Styling: I’ve been wearing my Yeezy 450s almost every day since I got my hands on them. I love anything that gives off a sci-fi vibe, which is exactly the energy this Yeezy silhouette serves.
You can wear them with a sweatsuit or dress them up with a skirt. I usually opt for the latter, dressing them up with a Rick Owens skirt. I think Rick Owens and adidas Yeezy is an elite combination, predominantly because their signature color palettes are so similar.
Sizing and fit: Normally, I'm a US size 5, but I tend to opt for a US 5.5 when purchasing adidas Yeezy sneakers. Therefore, I went up half a size when purchasing the Yeezy 450. Don’t worry if they feel a little tight on first wear, the materials used take a little time to mould to your foot shape.
Comfort: The combination of a knit upper and spongy sole makes for a super comfortable shoe. I appreciate the rounded heel on adidas Yeezy shoes because they provide an organic fit. I also appreciate the textured sole that makes the shoe comfortable for walking and driving.
Care: Honestly, I plan to wear the Yeezy 450 until I can't anymore. I wish there were a Jason Markk shop in NYC so I wouldn’t have to think about cleaning them myself.
Yeezy 450 Sizing, Fit and Styling Guide
Mehdi (@ckmhd)
Fashion Influencer based in Remagen, Germany
Before the Yeezy 450 released, I spotted it on and around Kanye West. I was patiently waiting for a release date announcement. Now that they’re here, I’m obsessed with them. I’m so glad they decided on Cloud White for the first colorway: I think it works perfectly with the experimental silhouette.
Styling: My wardrobe largely consists of oversized fits inspired by the hip-hop and rap scene of the 90s/00s. To style the Yeezy 450, I usually start with one of two foundations: a cosy, minimalistic set or a knit and a pair of cuffed joggers. After this, I pile on the accessories. At the moment, I’m all about trucker caps and silver jewelry.
Sizing and fit: The sneaker is pretty narrow; thus, I’d recommend sizing up if you have wide feet. If not, you should be OK with your true size.
Comfort: The Yeezy 450s are definitely the most comfortable sneakers in my collection. The sock-like material of the upper and lightweight sole provides a sensation that feels like you're walking on clouds.
Care: I plan to use a sneaker foam on my Yeezy 450s to ensure they stay clean. Yet, I’ll still avoid wearing them on rainy days.