However classic Adidas’ three stripes are, the athletic giant continually finds ways to re-imagine that trademarked style.
Bad Bunny, Grace Wales Bonner and Yohji Yamamoto are a few of the collaborators that have added their flair to Adidas merchandise over the years. But in recent days, many online shoppers have been scouring social media and online avenues in search of the Adidas Chinese New Year jacket. Instead of the typical athletic fit, this zip-front style has a stand-up collar four traditional toggle closures with more of a relaxed fit. The color choices are also not designed for your average trip to the gym. The jacket is available in a soft salmon or a golden mustard hue. Another site, Jackets Junction, offered the style in a dusty blue as of Tuesday night. The outerwear design is said to be inspired by the classic satin garments from the Tang dynasty. And the Tang jacket is said to symbolize prosperity and unity.
The Adidas Chinese New Year jacket.
Photo Adidas
But consumers in the U.S., Europe and anywhere else in the world other than mainland China, are out of luck, if they are interested in buying one of the $129 styles from Adidas. And that has nothing to do with the temporary suspension of deliveries from China and Hong Kong that was implemented by the U.S. Postal Service Tuesday and then rescinded Wednesday. An Adidas spokesperson told WWD that the Adidas Tang Chinese New Year jacket is being sold exclusively to greater China and it won’t be available in other markets.  However, some U.S. outlet stores did have Chinese New Year sales events, though.
As a member of the Trademark Hall of Fame, Adidas is highly protective of its three-stripe trademark. The company’s founder Adi Dassler designed the three stripes to be able to identify his sports shoes from those made by other manufacturers. That signature style racks up sales for Adidas, which raked in 23.68 billion euros last year. The sports juggernaut has battled other companies in court for any traces of three-stripe infringement, including Skechers in 2016 and Forever 21 in 2017. Adidas’ legal fight with Thom Browne was less successful in the U.S. and in the U.K., where the decisions were in favor of the American designer.
