Who says sneakers have to have round toes? adidas gives its classic kicks a bold update, and the square toe is more stylish than you’d think

Key takeaways

• adidas will launch the all-new square-toe Stan Smith SQ in 2026.
• The design retains the classic white leather upper, perforated Three Stripes, and portrait on the tongue.
• The brand is also bringing the square-toe silhouette to the Superstar SQ W, a women’s-only style.

If adidas is the classic sneaker you reach for most often in your everyday shoe rotation, this pair will probably change the way you see it. This time, the brand has reworked its most iconic feature — the rounded toe — with the all-new square-toe adidas Stan Smith SQ / Originals SUPERSTAR SQ. For women who like pairing flat sneakers with tailored pants or long skirts, this design, with its dress-shoe feel, is undoubtedly one of this year’s most interesting discoveries.

• Related reading: ASICS teams up with Griff to reinterpret the GEL-CUMULUS 16, and the dreamy ribbon laces are almost too good!

The playful contrast of a slightly wide square-toe silhouette

Named after American tennis great Stan Smith, the shoe has maintained its clean athletic lines since its debut in the 1970s, making it one of the few classics that bridges fashion and street culture. The Stan Smith SQ retains its familiar details, yet at the toe, the soft rounded curve has been replaced with a crisp, slightly wide square shape. This small change gives the once-casual sneaker some of the understated restraint and formality of a men’s dress shoe: it retains the comfort of a casual sneaker while taking on the sharp, structured look of a formal leather shoe.

From the CLOT collaboration to the birth of the SUPERSTAR SQ

The square-toe experiment didn’t come out of nowhere. CLOT, the brand led by Edison Chen, previously collaborated with adidas on a bold Stan Smith with an espadrille-style sole and a square-toe concept, sparking plenty of discussion on social media. As sneaker design moves closer to refined dress shoes, the square-toe silhouette could become the next focus of street style. Beyond its regular designs, adidas has even introduced the Originals SUPERSTAR SQ, a spin-off style that hits on women’s current desire for “nontraditional sneakers.” With retro low-profile sneakers everywhere, a square-toe pair that evokes leather dress shoes can instead express a more distinctive sense of style.

Still, judging by the enthusiastic first-wave response across global markets, there’s a strong chance more colorways or spin-off versions will be released in the future. If you like collecting shoes with distinctive silhouettes, keep an eye on the official website for updates, or add them to your 2026 wish list now.

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