nike roshe g tour camo blue gold 2017 | PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR 2024

A constantly fluctuating and chameleonic beast, the world of fashion is everchanging, unpredictable and guided by cultural shifts. Trying to whittle down a year’s worth of products is no mean feat, and there have certainly been plenty of memorable garments, sneakers and accessories that have remained ever present in our minds.

From the PUMA Speedcat to Acne Studios’ Chain Printed Denim Jeans, 2024 has delivered an array of products that have excited and inspired with their blend of Y2K style and progressive design. Whether they have made a comeback for the ages or they’re brand-new styles, here is as selection of products that UrlfreezeShops have cherry picked as some of the best of 2024.

Having first been spotted on foot as a part of Junya Watanabe’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection back in January, the New Balance 1906L sneaker-loafer hybrid was finally released to the wider market. A Frankenstein silhouette masterminded by New Balance’s Charlotte Lee (who is known for her WRPD Runner and 327 styles), the forward-thinking sneaker blended New Balance’s classic 1906 shoe with the preppy favourite, the penny loafer, for a futuristic aesthetic that recontextualised eternal style from the past through a fresh lens.

Inspired by high octane motorsports and the fireproof footwear worn by drivers in the Grand Prix in the ‘80s and early ‘90s, PUMA’s iconic Speedcat sneaker found favour in 2024 as one of the styles of the year. Originally released back in 1999, the low-profile silhouette grew in prominence throughout the ‘00s, combining bold colourways with a striking design. Returning this year, the shoe has become a sleeper hit, with mainline renditions of the OG style capturing the hearts of many an influencer as Y2K style continues to pervade throughout the cultural zeitgeist.

NN07 have Carmy and 2024's obsession with Jeremy Allen White to thank for this one. Having flown into the stratosphere of cultural impact following its multiple appearances on seminal TV series The Bear, this patchwork pattern wool jacket quickly became a go-to style for many, with the garment selling out as soon as it was restocked. Perfectly capturing Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto’s nostalgic sense of style, the Gael jacket’s muted palette, classic cut and Italian yarn-dyed checkered fabric made sure that this outerwear piece was a standout.

Since the brand’s origins over forty years ago, Stone Island’s specific approach to material design has consistently sat at the razor’s edge of garment innovation. This season was no exception, either, as the brand continued its relentless experimentation with garment construction and treatments. Case in point is the latest from the brand’s Autumn Winter ‘024 ‘025 collection: a parka constructed using the Glass Cover material, as modelled by long-time Stone Island affiliate and musical icon, Liam Gallagher. Constructed with a polyester mesh and treated with a semi-gloss transparent polyurethane film, garment dyed in totality to cultivate the visual effect of liquid glass.

Encapsulating the womenswear ballerina flats trend that defined the past year, GANNI’s signature silhouette perfectly summarised the Danish brand’s distinctive outlook. Effortless cool combined with a new take on a classic approach, the Ballerina Flat’s versatility saw it consistently popping up everywhere from fashion week street style to Instagram feeds.

Founded in 1985 by Craig Wright, Dragon Diffusion’s offering of woven leather bags have captured the hearts of many throughout 2024. Pairing timeless designs with handmade traditional weaving techniques, the brand’s luxurious sensibility culminates in the Santa Croce bag – a top-handle bag with a subtle trapezoid shape – that is made to order to prevent overproduction.

Few brands have had the immediate success of SKIMS at launch. With Kim Kardashian’s name attached, the brand was immediately propelled into the stratosphere of hype, with fans immediately purchasing as much as they could from the brand at launch. Continuing well into 2024, SKIMS’ broadened expansion has seen it continue to push forward, with the brand’s underwear offering already becoming a must have.

As football mania continued to grip fashion fans throughout 2024, brands from out with the typical football sphere started to incorporate the aesthetics of the beautiful game into their own time-honoured visual codes. Enter Acne Studios’ Erwin Sports Jersey. Combining pink and white vintage football stripes with branded details to the chest and back, the Scandinavian brand perfectly blended essential sporting style with their own take on modern clothing.

A much-celebrated garment, the Calavadella Jacket returned this year in a vibrant Tribe Green recycled polyester fabric courtesy of UrlfreezeShops and adidas SPZL. Named after the idyllic Ibiza cove, this outerwear piece pays homage to adidas SPZL’s DNA, honouring the music culture of Ibiza that played a significant part in the core ideals behind the brand. Presented as a part of the two brand’s debut collaborative collection, it marked a milestone in their longstanding partnership.

Originating in the late ‘90s, Nike’s retro-futurist marvel, the Air Max SNDR, returned this year in full effect following the Beaverton brand teasing their arrival over two years ago with a sought-after collab with Rei Kawakubo’s Comme des Garçons. Landing in their OG make-up, complete with side panels and suitably luminous uppers, the striking Air Max silhouette commanded attention throughout the year, earning its spot on the list of the year’s best releases. Progressive yet firmly rooted in the near-past, the SNDR continues to excite sneakerheads with its iconoclastic presence and expanding array of colours.

Transforming the Mary Jane shoe with a technical flourish, French outdoor stalwarts Salomon presented the RX MARIE-JEANNE earlier this year. Further delving into recovery footwear, the Annecy-based brand perfectly infused their rugged aesthetic with elements of traditional fashion codes, feminine details and an understated expression.

Adanola named these sportswear bottoms the “Ultimate Leggings” for a reason. Simple by design, yet sought after, the Manchester-based brand have created a sure-fire winner with this athleisure style. Perfected for versatility, Adanola’s lightweight and stretchy leggings have caused a stir throughout 2024 amongst the active girls.

Combining Timex’s archetypal digital watch face with Maison Margiela’s signature twist on classic style, the Little Ring saw the two brands link up with this unconventional accessory. A watch for your finger, the miniature timepiece beautifully encapsulated the timelessness of the two brands – forward thinking and functional.

Hitting the ground running last year with their collaborative Clifton LS, chunky sneaker brand HOKA and Parisian progressive running label Satisfy linked up again to deliver their joint take on the Mafate Speed 4 Lite. Trail ready, the supremely lightweight yet durable sneaker embodied the two brand’s symbiotic union, suitably fanning the flames of running mania that has gripped a lot of us throughout the past twelve months.

Much hyped and long-awaited, Nike’s first collaboration with New York City brand Bode resonated with a lot of fashion fans and sneakerheads alike for their pared back and eminently wearable style. Founded by Emily Adams Bode Aujla in 2016, Bode applied their trademark sensibility to the Astro Grabbers, channelling the silhouette’s iconic football look with Nike’s beloved waffle sole. Having never been rereleased since it first hit the market in ’74, this collab made sneaker history, complete with signature Bode charms.

Trompe L’oeil has long been in the arsenal of Scandinavian brand Acne Studios, but this year the Stockholm-based brand made waves with their most outlandish take on the artistic approach to date. Presenting the Printed Chain Denim Jeans, Jonny Johansson’s brand went full maximalist mode, printing a variety of chains, rips, blemishes and fades across their baggy denim jeans, enrapturing fashion fans and igniting a fervour for the grungy aesthetic. Perfected for embodying the indie sleaze look that has permeated 2024, the Printed Chain Denim Jeans from Acne will surely be remembered for their outlandish yet surprisingly wearable look.