The Lacoste L003 Neo is Rising Through the Ranks

Inspired by the blistering movement of a tennis ball mid-match and the enduring spirit of star player René ‘The Crocodile’ Lacoste, the L003 Neo burns straight down the line between sport and fashion. The model has now received a modern makeover, complete with a slate of new colourways that’ll no doubt trigger the Hawk-Eye. Quiet please, let’s make way for Lacoste’s latest rookie rising through the ranks: the L003 Neo.

Match Point, L003 Neo

First spotted during Lacoste’s SS22 runway show as a concept shoe, you don’t have to be a veteran linesperson to see the L003 Neo has game. The L003 Neo is the third model in a series featuring the L003 Runway and L003 Active Runway and is manufactured in hairy suede leather uppers designed to mimic the characteristics of a tennis ball.

Executed in a high fashion finesse thanks to the combination of breathable suedes, leathers and exposed foams, the L003 Neo features shock absorbing EVA midsoles that have the stamina to go all day.

‘This new sneaker and its design language express movement,’ deputy CEO Catherine Spindler told Forbes earlier this year. ‘In the same way that a tennis ball rolls with no effort and bounces with energy from one place to another. The ease of movement was at the centre of the creation of this silhouette.’

Advantage, Lacoste

The latest roster of colourways shows off the impressive versatile nature of the L003 Neo. Each one is inspired by a theme, with the 'Tennis Escape' iteration serving up shades of green, olive and sage that are highlighted by a tennis-ball green. The 'Off the Grid' theme goes more earthy, with browns, navy and a splash of 'Sunrise' orange, whereas the 'Team Tricolour' colourway gets lighter with white, cream, navy and a striking tangerine. 'Blossom' pink gets a moment on the 'Soft Hike' iteration, shining alongside shades of cream and brown. The last to have a hit is the 'Active Yellow', taking a minimalist approach with whites and greys on the upper before being served with 'Sunny Lime' on the laces, eyelets and heel detail.

The hairy suede – previously appearing in green on other colourways to emphasise its tennis credentials – is undoubtedly the model’s material piece de resistance. This time, the autumn-hued suedes bring in more stylistic dexterity to the silhouette, ensuring that the colourways can be paired across a variety of sartorial ‘fits.

40-Love, Lacoste

We tapped members of the global sneakersphere to play with the L003 Neo. Here's how they rocked it.

@BerlinJesus

He might be a Berliner (not the doughnut), but his outfits are far from the black uniform many wear in the German capital. His eye-searing technicolour drip often lights up our feeds, and he's done the same with the L003 Neo by leveraging the brown earthy tones in the 'Off the Grid' iteration with lime and forest green and matching the pops of 'Sunrise' orange with his sunglasses and the dash of orange in his hat.

@Capriiii_LV

The French fashion creative matches bold shapes with sleek silhouettes to create a demanding presence, accenting outfits with bright colours for the drama. This perfectly reflects the L003 Neo's design and he puts this front and centre through the use of his photography, capturing every angle with panache. He kept his outfits streamlined and complementary to the colours in both the 'Tennis Escape' and 'Team Tricolour' iterations while still foregrounding the model's bold aesthetic.

@SamRecks

Sam Recks, a lo-fi drill rapper, stomps through the London streets with the Lacoste L003 Neo, complementing the sleek yet dynamic silhouette with a variety of shapes and textures. He uses the colours of each model to create symmetry, as the 'Team Tricolour' 'fit starts with the navy of the shoes before switching to brown oversized cargo pants, back to navy on the top, and then finishing with a brown beanie. He uses this same balancing technique with the 'Tennis Escape' fit, with olive pants and a yellow bracelet bringing equilibrium.

@Celmatique

Loud colours are Celeste's signature, with her feed bursting with bright oranges, greens, pinks, purples and blues. She tends to favour solid colours and creates dimension in her 'fits by incorporating multiple hues or shades. She brings this to the 'Team Tricolour' styling, with a tracksuit that has colour blocks to match the L003 Neo perfectly and a complementary orange sweatshirt and beanie, blue puffer, and matching scarf. Five ostentatious colours are used, but it doesn't take the moment away from the shoe, as the colour blocking creates symmetry and balance that actually puts the L003 Neo centre stage.

@Tarzzan_Boy

With a sleek and tonal style that blends street and high fashion, Tarzzan typically sticks to neutrals and blacks, with pops of colour coming through in accents. This made the 'Soft Hike' L003 Neo an ideal complement, with its otherwise neutral base struck through with a soft pink and navy. The pink stays the centre of attention through the styling, with Tarzzan opting for a white tracksuit set that has navy lines streaking a path down the sides all the way to the L003 Neo. The 'fit also serves the 'Tennis Escape', iteration, as it provides a simple background that brings all the attention to the dynamic colourway.

There’s no better time to take a seat in the team box. Take a swing at the latest L003 Neo colourways by hitting the links below.