Rihanna doesn't really do things halfway. When she stepped back into her role as Creative Director for Fenty x Puma, she didn't just pick a trendy chunky sneaker or a basic running shoe. She went deep into the archives. She found the Avanti. It's a weird, beautiful hybrid that traces its DNA back to 1968, specifically the Puma King football boot worn by legends like Pelé and Eusebio.
The Fenty x Puma Avanti L is a bit of a shapeshifter. Is it a soccer cleat? Not anymore. Is it a high-fashion trainer? Definitely. The "L" stands for leather, and we aren't talking about the stiff, plasticky stuff you find on mass-produced kicks. This is buttery, soft, treated leather that feels more like a luxury handbag than a piece of athletic equipment.
Honestly, the sneaker world was getting a little stale before this dropped. Everything was either a massive "dad shoe" or a tech-heavy runner that looked like it belonged in a sci-fi movie. Rihanna basically looked at the trend cycle and decided to pivot back to "terrace culture"—that specific UK subculture of football fans who prioritized sleek, low-profile silhouettes.
The weird history behind the Fenty x Puma Avanti L design
To understand why this shoe looks the way it does, you have to look at 1998. That was the year Puma collaborated with Jil Sander. It was a massive moment. It was the first time a major sports brand and a high-fashion designer truly mashed their worlds together. They took the King boot, stripped off the studs, and turned it into a lifestyle shoe called the Avanti.
Rihanna’s version, the Fenty x Puma Avanti L, takes that 98' blueprint and cranks up the volume. The most polarizing feature? That fold-over tongue. People either love it or think it’s a trip hazard. In the original soccer world, that tongue was there to cover the laces so players could have a cleaner strike on the ball. Now? It’s just a massive flex. It has the Fenty logo embossed in gold or silver, depending on which colorway you’re looking at, and it screams "I know my fashion history."
The proportions are tight. It's a slim shoe. If you're used to the oversized look of a Balenciaga Triple S, putting these on will feel like putting on a glove. The gum sole is a direct nod to indoor soccer shoes, giving it that vintage, retro-sport aesthetic that is dominating TikTok and Instagram right now.
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Why the leather quality actually matters here
You’ve probably seen the chrome version. It’s loud. It’s shiny. It reflects everything. But the Fenty x Puma Avanti L in the classic black and white is where the craftsmanship really shows. When you touch the upper, you can tell Puma used premium oil-treated leather. This matters because soccer-inspired shoes are notorious for being narrow and sometimes painful to break in.
Because the leather is so high-quality, it actually stretches and molds to your foot much faster than a standard synthetic shoe. It’s thin, but durable.
- The stitching is tonal and incredibly tight.
- You get a foam wedge in the midsole for actual comfort.
- The gold foil branding is stamped deep enough that it won't just flake off after three wears.
There's a specific nuance to how the leather creasing happens on these. Cheap leather "breaks" and looks cracked. This leather "rolls." It develops a patina. It’s the difference between a cheap suit and something tailored.
Addressing the "Samba" elephant in the room
We have to talk about Adidas. The Samba has been the undisputed king of the "slim sneaker" trend for a few years now. You see them everywhere. Literally everywhere. The Fenty x Puma Avanti L is the direct challenger to that throne.
While the Samba is a classic, it’s become a bit of a uniform. The Avanti feels more intentional. It's for the person who wants the slim profile but doesn't want to look like everyone else in the coffee shop line. It’s also arguably more "fashion." While the Samba stayed true to its athletic roots, Rihanna pushed the Avanti into the realm of the avant-garde. The metallic finishes and the exaggerated tongue make it feel like a piece of jewelry for your feet.
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Some critics argue that the Avanti is too niche. They say the fold-over tongue is impractical for daily wear. Maybe. But since when has Rihanna ever been about "practical"? This is about making a statement. It’s about the intersection of sport and runway.
How to actually style a shoe this specific
This is where people get stuck. Because the Fenty x Puma Avanti L is so slim, you can’t really wear them with super baggy, heavy-weight sweatpants without looking like you have tiny feet.
Try a straight-leg denim that hits right at the ankle. You want to show off the silhouette. If you’re feeling bold, go with a pleated trouser. The contrast between a formal pant and a soccer shoe is a classic high-low fashion move that always works.
For the chrome or silver versions, keep the rest of your outfit muted. Let the shoes be the main character. A monochromatic black outfit with the silver Avantis? That's a look. For the black and white leather pair, you can basically treat them like a more expensive, more exclusive version of a standard daily driver.
Real talk: The sizing and fit issues
Let’s be honest—Puma shoes can run a bit weird. The Fenty x Puma Avanti L fits true to size for most, but if you have wide feet, you are going to struggle. It is a narrow shoe. That’s just the nature of soccer-inspired footwear.
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- If you’re between sizes, go up a half size.
- Expect a "snug" feeling around the midfoot.
- Wear thin socks. This isn't the shoe for your thick wool hiking socks.
The break-in period is surprisingly short thanks to that soft leather upper, but the first two days might feel a little tight. Don't panic. Leather is a natural material; it wants to move with you.
The cultural impact of the Fenty return
When Rihanna left Puma years ago to focus on Savage X Fenty and Fenty Beauty, there was a hole in the market. No one was doing "athleisure" with that much attitude. Her return with the Avanti signals a shift away from the "generic" celebrity collaboration. She’s not just slapping her name on an existing shoe. She’s digging into the archives and forcing us to look at a forgotten silhouette.
It’s also a big win for Puma. For a while, they were struggling to find their voice in the lifestyle space. They had the Suede, sure, but they needed something that felt "now." By leaning into their football heritage—which is arguably stronger than almost any other brand's—they found their lane.
The Fenty x Puma Avanti L isn't for everyone. It's not a "safe" shoe. It’s a bit flashy, a bit historical, and very "Rihanna." But in a world of boring footwear, that’s exactly why it works. It’s a reminder that sneakers can be more than just something you wear to the gym; they can be a conversation piece.
What you should do next
If you're planning on picking up a pair, start by checking the leather quality in person if you can. Look for the "L" designation to ensure you're getting the premium hide version. Specifically, inspect the stitching around the fold-over tongue, as that's the high-stress area of the shoe. If you're buying online, prioritize retailers with a solid return policy because of that narrow fit. Once you have them, treat the leather with a high-quality protector—especially if you went for the metallic or white versions—to keep that "archive" look fresh for more than one season. Stand out by pairing them with structured garments rather than basic loungewear to fully lean into the high-fashion intent of the design.