The patchwork approach New Balance have taken to one of their latest silhouettes, the 237, is outstanding. Two colourways, both equally head-turning, are available for this recent drop, which is somewhat of an homage to the classic 327 and the aesthetic bent of the 1970s.
A stitched and oversized N logo is an unquestionable presence on the stylish new sneaks, which was originally released in Australia early last month with just two colourways. More colours are being planned for release throughout 2021, and the distinctive upper kind of allows for this freeform experimentation.
I have the Blue/Gold myself, but a few people I know have the Red/Blue (which appears to be sold out right now). You’ll find no complaints over here. The rather bold mix of colours is striking no matter what the constitution – I can only imagine how popular the other colourways will be when they drop.
Uniformly, the 237 features a suede and nylon upper constructed from classic 1970’s styles key to New Balance’s legacy. The bright, vibrant look is mostly thanks to the oversized panelling, which has been shifted and offers a great deal of asymmetry. The rubber outsole is reminiscent of the original Comp 100, with an obvious focus on traction and durability, but much like the upper, it’s been scaled up, I assume to achieve a better balance between a performance-driven sneaker that wants to nail both the sporty and the casual look.
“The design of the 237 consists of details from retro running models in our archive and twists them, creating a trend-forward aesthetic”, said New Balance 237 designer Charlotte Lee. “The timeless design of the 237 has a prominent heritage 70’s design visual while still delivering a versatile model that can be worn with anything”.
The subject of 237’s reverence has also seen a swift remodel this month. New Balance are prepping six new colourways for the classic 327.
The 327 is basically a delicate remix blending New Balance’s archival runners of the ’70s. Those being the 320, 355, and Supercomp styles. Complementing the distinctive upper is a studded gum sole, heal wrap and some vamp fangs, doubling down on the retrofuturism that has positioned this as one of the more popular New Balance kicks in recent times.
Your best bet is to buy the 237 and/or 327 online at newbalance.com.au. Though you should be able to find them nationally at Platypus Shoes and The ICONIC.
