News

Rishi Sunak has apologised for ruining Adidas Sambas for the entire nation

He really went and did the 'How do you do, fellow kids?' meme in real life. And look at what it cost us.

Danny Jones - 10th April 2024

In yet another sentence we never thought we’d write, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has apologised for wearing Adidas Sambas in a recent interview, after which plenty of owners promptly put them in the cupboard never to be worn again.

We shouldn’t be this petty but we can never look at the classic Adidas trainer the same ever again.

Now, we’re not particularly political here at The Manc but we don’t think it needs too much as to why seeing your nation’s leader (and a pretty unpopular one at that) wearing the same shoes as you doesn’t exactly make you feel like a style icon.

Sunak was snapped wearing the trainers along with his usual suit shirt and trousers (already a bad start) in a recent interview at Downing Street, which led to a flood of deeply frustrated and undeniably funny memes in its wake.

While we’ve definitely enjoyed it as a social media moment, we are truly saddened that one wear from Rishi Sunak and it seems the appeal of Sambas, shoes which GQ labelled an “eternally cool sneaker”, is now in the toilet all for what they called a “bid to present himself as young and hip”.

However, after his PR team clearly let him on to the social media uproar, the Prime Minister has since spoken out with a stereotypical politician response you could imagine.

Addressing the situation on an LBC radio show this week, the 43-year-old said: “I issue a fulsome apology to the Samba community. But, in my defence, I would say I have been wearing Adidas trainers including Sambas – and others, in fact – for many, many years.

“The first pair my brother got for me many, many years ago – my first pair of fun Adidas trainers as a Christmas present. I haven’t looked back since. So I’ve been a longtime devotee.” Spoken like a man who has never worn or maybe even seen a pair of these in his life.

It still hasn’t done him much good though as all seems to be too little too late for the iconic pair of kicks as even the reactions to his obviously somewhat tongue-in-cheek apology have been ones of fury, disappointment and everything in between.

The Guardian recognised this common pair of white, suede and gum Adidas Sambas as “this year’s coolest shoes – until Rishi Sunak got a pair”, while another remarked: “Seeing Rishi in Adidas Sambas has killed any last desire to buy them”.

Even those who were never big fans of the shoe that has often been accused of being part of the ‘hipster uniform’ over the year or so have now been left torn as to how it may have been killed off. We’re lovers of the brand and the style around the world will try and keep it alive but for the UK, it might be curtains.

Fashion trends come and go, that’s the nature of the beast, but no trainer as classic as this should have to go out in such a cruel way. We might be laughing on the outside but believe us, we’re crying on the inside. Hope you’re happy with yourself, Rishi.

In all seriousness, please just go back to the usual sh*t-flickers – it’s somehow less unsettling than you in a pair of Sambas.

Read more:

• Team GB will wear the normal Union Jack at Paris 2024 after outrage over twist on flag
• Seven top tips for the Adidas Manchester Marathon from Team GB runner Steph Kessell
• People are labelling the price of the new England kits an ‘absolute joke’

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — No.10 Downing Street/Adidas