Timothée Chalamet Ignites Debate with Dior’s Polarizing Pastel Sneakers – Is This Fashion Genius or Glamour Gone Wrong?
November 21, 2025
Photo: Backgrid
Picture this: Timothée Chalamet stepping into the spotlight at a Marty Supreme pop-up shop in Soho, New York, last night (November 21), surrounded by an entourage of quirky orange ping-pong ball-headed figures, all while rocking his custom movie merchandise. But here’s where it gets controversial – his outfit wasn’t just any ensemble; it was a bold statement piece that left fashion fans buzzing about celebrity influence and designer choices. And this is the part most people miss – how a single pair of shoes can redefine a star’s image, blending high fashion with street cred in ways that spark heated discussions.
The actor arrived in a striking baby pink jacket from the collection he co-designed with his longtime friend and collaborator, designer Doni Nahmias. If you’re new to fashion, think of this as a piece where Chalamet pours his personal style into wearable art – the jacket features the movie’s title emblazoned across the chest, adorned with embroidered orange stars, echoing his frequent affinity for soft pinks that we’ve seen in his wardrobe evolutions. Beneath it, he layered a cozy pink cable-knit sweater, paired with low-rise acid-washed blue jeans that give a nod to ’90s nostalgia, and a sparkling pink buckle belt that adds a touch of bling, making the whole look a maximalist dream – that’s fashion lingo for going all out with colors, patterns, and details to create a visually overwhelming yet exciting outfit.
Now, with so much going on visually, it would be easy to overlook his footwear, but trust me, these sneakers stole the show: the highly anticipated celebrity unveiling of the pastel-colored shoes from Jonathan Anderson’s debut collection for Dior Men. These reimagined high-top track shoes draw from vintage designs but dial down the intensity with a soft palette of pistachio green, lilac purple, and beige, complete with the distinctive Dior logo stitched onto the tongue and ankle for that luxury touch. For beginners diving into fashion, imagine taking an old-school athletic shoe and transforming it into something playful and subdued, perfect for blending into everyday looks while whispering elegance.
The sneaker as featured on the Dior Men spring 2026 runway.
Photo: Alessandro Viero / Gorunway.com
Chalamet’s outfits during this press tour have been a fascinating mix of his signature eclectic vibe and the athletic, sporty themes of Marty Supreme – the Josh Safdie film about a young man’s quest to become a table-tennis champion in the 1950s. At a recent L.A. screening, he wore a shimmering reflective tracksuit from a collaboration between his pal Haider Ackermann and Canada Goose, customized in a vibrant ‘Marty Supreme Orange’ shade. This stood in sharp contrast to the understated, all-black ensemble worn by co-star Gwyneth Paltrow, which might even nod to her own brand, GWYN – a line known for quiet luxury and everyday chic.
This Marty Supreme merch line marks Chalamet’s second creative partnership with Nahmias, following their earlier hoodie for his Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, released earlier this year. Celebs like his girlfriend Kylie Jenner, her sister Kendall, Kid Cudi, and dancer Misty Copeland have been photographed sporting the Marty Supreme hoodie, with the full collection offering tracksuits in shades like navy blue, bright satsuma orange, electric highlighter pink, and beyond – showing how these pieces aren’t just clothing, but cultural touchstones that bridge movie fandom with high fashion.
Photo: Getty Images
As Jonathan Anderson himself explained about the Dior Men collection that birthed these shoes, ‘For me, style is how you put things together’ – a philosophy that celebrates Dior’s timeless elegance while embracing Anderson’s love for mixing high-end luxury with low-key vibes and playful nods to different eras. This idea perfectly captures Chalamet’s unpredictable style, where nothing is ever predictable, and every choice feels like a deliberate blend of history and modernity.
But here’s the real debate starter: Are these pastel sneakers a stroke of genius, elevating Chalamet’s boyish charm into avant-garde territory, or do they represent a divisive misstep in Dior’s evolution under Anderson? Some argue the muted tones make them versatile and innovative, appealing to a new generation tired of bold statements. Others might see them as too whimsical for a brand synonymous with sophistication, questioning if celebrity endorsements like this dilute true fashion innovation. What do you think – does Chalamet’s adoption of these shoes make them must-haves, or is it just another example of star power overshadowing design integrity? And this is the part most people miss – how fashion controversies like this one can influence trends, from runways to everyday wardrobes. Share your opinions in the comments: Do you side with the pastel revolution, or do you prefer classic Dior? Could this be a bold counterpoint to traditional masculinity in men’s fashion, or is it simply overrated? We’d love to hear your takes!
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Anna Cafolla serves as American Vogue’s news editor, covering fashion, beauty, culture, and lifestyle from her base in London. Her previous roles include stints at Dazed, Cosmopolitan, and ELLE, with bylines in The Guardian, The Face, AnOther, and Conde Nast Traveller. She’s known for her unwavering passion for great dining spots – she’ll charm you into trying her recommendations! … Read More