I sported Handballs before everyone else did.

Does that make me Spezial?! Hah - I think I’m so clever.

Reality is, like everyone else in mid-2023, I wanted Sambas, although they initially reminded me of the feral shoes a size too small you get given at a bowling alley and I did not want to be wearing the same shoes as every other girl. Look at me now.

I digress. I wear a size EU 38.5 shoe, so you best bet when a shoe is popular, I sure as hell can’t find it, even in Australia (where I quickly learned during a brief stint in retail that a lot more ladies wear a size EU 40 than I thought)!

Anyways, I refused to fork out at least $350 AUD for a pair of runners or have to purchase them on a dodgy reseller site - it’s giving scam. Lucky for me, JD Sports came through with the goods. I got my hands on a pair of Handballs in my size (after the debacle of figuring what US men’s size I wear - judging by the number of Facebook Marketplace listings for unworn Adidas shoes, neither can anyone else). Better yet, they were the exact the colour way everyone wanted (you know, white, with grey suede and black) for a mere $170-ish AUD. Bargain, if you ask me!

I’d love to say I don’t follow the crowd, but like everyone else, I am very easily influenced. In this case however, I like to think I bucked the trend. It looks like Sambas have taken the backseat in 2024, with everyone sporting Handball Spezials in a snazzy colour combination. I knew I was onto something (not just because they fit my orthotics and they’re good for walking) - they really do work with any outfit!

My ultra-elegant mum, in her sixties mind you, can’t decide if she should stick to a neutral colour, or jump on the cherry-red trend. In the spirit of “research”, these are the colours that caught my eye!

Quiet luxury with a bit of edge? Love!

These are a need - not a want. The combination of textures, the stitched detailing, the luxe off-white shade - say less. Lucky for my spending ban* they seem to be sold-out everywhere, but I’d lift said ban for these in a heart beat.

Your Handball Spezials disappeared to Positano, never to return

Did that header give anyone else flashbacks to the mayhem that was Europe post COVID? These sneakers are the cutest pop of colour - perfect for Euro summer (if it ever comes this year)!

The fit on the right is giving Amalfi coast with a side of cute. Not sure I could pull it off, but on the right gal it is a major vibe.

Will I ever get tired of this muted brown? No, I won’t.

I did not base my blog colour palette on these… or maybe I did? I can’t go past a good shade of brown and these are it! These are still available at JD Sports - if your feet run on the bigger side, run, don’t walk!

Kermit, is that you?

Personally, I’d gravitate toward hunter green versions (together with that camel suit, it’s just * chef’s kiss *), but on the right girl, I have no doubt these sneakers will give less Shrek and more Sporty & Rich.

Neutrals? On a girl? Groundbreaking!

Wrapping up with the perfect classy, luxurious all-rounders. Give me ten minutes and I’ll have irreversibly scuffed them, but I absolutely adore these vanilla beauties!

I’ve put myself on a spending ban starting the next financial year (that’s July for all my readers in the northern hemisphere. My one faithful reader, that is, hi mum!). Let’s see if I can resist - after all, my Spezials starting to get old…

All images credits belong to their original creators - you can find them on my Pinterest board here!