The Best Mismatched Sneaker Colorways
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By Stadium Goods |The Best Mismatched Sneaker Colorways
Celebrate National Two Different Colored Shoes Day (no, we didn’t make that up) with all the best sneakers in mismatched colorways.
Matt DeSciora
Yes, there is such a thing as National Two Different Colored Shoes Day. No, we’re not making it up because we’re Stadium Goods.
Occurring annually on May 3, National Two Different Colored Shoes Day is a day that celebrates the beauty of human diversity. It’s also a day that kicks off a fun week of holidays that include “May the 4th Be With You,” also known as Stars Wars Day, and Cinco de Mayo, which needs no introduction. I don’t know about you, but without National Two Different Colored Shoes Day to get me in the partying spirit, neither Star Wars Day or Cinco de Mayo would be as much fun as they are.
In all seriousness, it goes without saying that being unique is what makes us, us. No two people are the same, and that should be celebrated everyday, not just once a year on May 3. But if we’re going to celebrate individuality, why not celebrate with our boldest sneakers?
At least one person thinks we should: Dr. Arlene Kaiser. The educator, public speaker, and trendsetting style maven is the creator of National Two Different Colored Shoes Day, which is said to be inspired by her love of intentionally wearing two different colored shoes multiple times a week. Peacocking celebrities obviously have nothing on Dr. Kaiser.
In honor of Dr. Kaiser, and in celebration of National Two Different Colored Shoes Day, these are a few of our favorite mismatched sneakers. Embrace the bold.
Women’s Air Jordan 2 “Multicolor”
The Air Jordan 2 isn’t a shoe that’s often released by Jordan Brand, let alone in women’s-only colorways, but that’s exactly what we have here in the colorful “Multicolor.” Multiple colors and an interesting combination of materials makes this one of the more creative Jordan 2s this side of Vashtie, Don C., and Off-White’s collaborations.
Sean Wotherspoon x Atmos x Asics Gel-Lyte III
Is it seriously any surprise that Atmos is mentioned in a blog post about mismatched sneakers? The storied Japanese sneaker boutique all but birthed the concept of designing shoes in wildly different colors and materials. The shop collaborated with Sean Wotherspoon and Asics on this vegan-friendly Gel-Lyte III in 2020.
Michael Jordan made the Air Jordan 1 great. But he had some help by the way of the shoe’s original colorways from 1985, no doubt. The Air Jordan 1 High OG “Top 3” combines the vintage basketball shoe’s “Royal,” “Chicago,” and “Bred” colorways in a cohesive, mismatched design.
The Nike Air Max 95 “Greedy 2.0” is the predecessor of the original “Greedy” colorway that honored the retro running shoe’s 20th anniversary in 2015. It’s also a shoe that expands upon Nike’s popular “What the” concept that we’re about to show love to in a moment.
Nicknamed after the reaction someone may have upon seeing a shoe in colors and materials that don’t exactly match, the Nike SB Dunk Low “What the” combines all of the skate shoe’s greatest colorways of the early-to-mid 2000s. The “What the” Dunk is one of the most desirable—and creative—sneakers of the last twenty years.
The “What the” colorway isn’t exclusive to Dunks. A few years ago, Jordan Brand outfitted the Air Jordan 4 in a “What the” style that culls inspiration from its top colorways, including the “White Cement,” “Military Blue,” and “Fire Red.”
Nike Air Max 95 “Lakers - LeBron”
In addition to all of the signature shoes from his Nike LeBron collection, LeBron James is known to collaborate with Nike on classic models like the Air Force 1 and Air Max 95, the latter of which was released in a mismatched, purple-and-yellow colorway in honor of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Nike Air Force 1 Low “What the NY”
The equivalent of the “I just hope teams have fun” shirt and meme in sneakers is the Nike Air Force 1 Low “What the NY.” Inspiration for the bold look comes from New York’s major sports teams—and a few teams that play in New Jersey but rep New York.
Nike Dunk Low “Black - Multi-Camo”
You would think that designing a shoe with every military-inspired camouflage pattern under the sun would be a ridiculous idea, but the Nike Dunk Low “Black Multi-Camo” is clearly one damn good-looking, surprisingly versatile sneaker.