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FashionSport

by Alexandra Mansilla

Denim Forever: How the Iconic Fabric Took Over Sneakers

9 Jul 2025

Denim has always been timeless. Originally used for sails and cargo protection, this sturdy fabric got its name from the French city of Nîmes — it was first called “serge de Nîmes” and eventually shortened to "denim." Sailors loved denim because it was tough, but over the years, it became way more than just durable.
It turned into a symbol of rebellion, freedom, and self-expression — something almost everyone ended up wearing. I remember my mom wearing an oversized denim shirt when I was young, and I didn't even realise how cool it was back then. Later on, I had this quirky little denim bag; eventually, I decided it wasn't trendy anymore, but now I wish I still had it. Denim has always found its way back into our wardrobes, our memories, and even our identities.
Now, denim is making its way onto sneakers. Iconic brands are embracing denim’s timeless appeal and partnering with sportswear giants, creating shoes that embody both nostalgia and contemporary style.
Take the recent Levi's® x Nike collaboration, for instance. They merged Levi's® legendary denim heritage with Nike’s iconic Air Max 95 silhouette to create three unique designs. The Levi’s® x Nike Air Max 95 White/Ecru pairs subtle ecru denim with matte white accents atop a classic gum sole — perfect for complementing your favourite worn-in Levi's®. Meanwhile, the bold Levi’s® x Nike Air Max 95 Black makes a striking monochromatic statement with its robust 14-ounce black denim construction. And for true denim enthusiasts, the Levi’s® x Nike Air Max 95 Denim offers traditional indigo denim with an artful mid-to-light wash, highlighting fabric variations unique to this collaboration.
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By the way, as part of the same collab, they also dropped the Levi’s® x Nike Trucker Jacket and Levi’s® x Nike Baggy Jean. Just look at those.
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Nike isn’t alone. adidas is also having a blast with denim. First off, the new Superstar II “Denim/Core Black/Night Indigo” just makes you think — why did this take so long? Denim on this classic feels so natural, it is almost like it was meant to be from the start.
And remember their collab with atmos? That time, adidas and atmos gave the Sambae — a platform version of the classic adidas Samba — a fresh new look.
And they didn’t stop there: adidas Originals and ANTi COUNTRY CLUB took the Gazelle G golf shoe and reinvented it.
Jordan Brand joined the party too: the Air Jordan 4 'Worn Blue' is a women’s exclusive, drenched in rich denim, dropping August 9, 2025.
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Source: houseofheat.co

Vans collaborated with Japanese label FDMTL, renowned for intricate craftsmanship, to release denim-infused takes on their iconic Old Skool 36 and Half Cab models. This collection blends skate culture’s rebellious spirit with the refined artistry of premium Japanese textiles, capturing the essence of Vans’ OTW line: pushing creative boundaries while staying true to skateboarding heritage.
New Balance is here, too. The only thing is, they don’t actually use denim for their latest “Celestial Blue” 991v2 — part of the Made in UK series. Instead, they make them denim-like: baby-blue, hairy suede, mesh underlays, and grey leather overlays — everything about them gives off a denim vibe. Why doesn’t New Balance use real denim? Simply because they can get away with it.
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Source: hypebeast.com

So what can I say? Denim just keeps moving forward — it pops up everywhere, refuses to sit still, and somehow always manages to feel right for the moment. From jeans to sneakers to who knows what next, it never stops reinventing itself. That is the magic: wherever you look, denim is already there — doing its thing, again and again.