In 100 years’ time, when fashion historians look back on today, and on the designers who truly made their mark on the clothes of the era, Balenciaga will surely stand out. From socks spliced with sneakers to logos nodding to political campaigns, the brand – under the playful innovative eye of Georgian creative director Mr Demna Gvasalia – has been responsible for some of the most zeitgeist-commanding clothing in recent memory.

Balenciaga has, of course, been around for more than a century, but there are few brands of that age that continue to exert such influence on what we wear today. Indeed, Mr Gvasalia’s interpretation of contemporary luxury is defined by its ability to adapt, subvert and surprise – and often takes tongue-in-cheek cues from the real world. Balenciaga’s Instagram account, for instance, is delightfully at odds with the anxiously polished aesthetic of other high fashion houses. Posting everyday pictures of Balenciaga products taken by its far-reaching network of creators (a model’s face covered in seven pairs of Balenciaga sunglasses; a kitten sitting in a pair of the brand’s polished loafers), the contemporary Balenciaga vibe is one that toes the line between a billboard ad on Madison Avenue and a viral meme.

Still, it’s the clothes themselves that demand the most attention. Football jerseys, oversized tailoring with exaggerated shoulders, track jackets, and even some satin trousers printed to look like a pair of denim jeans are some of the more notable products from the brand to land on MR PORTER this season – though we’d be remiss not to devote particular focus on the thing Balenciaga is arguably best known for nowadays: sneakers.

Balenciaga’s innovative sneakers are almost household names themselves, with both the iconic Triple S sneakers and the Speed Stretch-Knit sneakers (the ones that look like socks) being some of the most notable sellout footwear exports from a fashion brand in recent history. The Speed 2.0 is an update on the latter, moving away from the previous silhouette slightly, but still retaining comfort and flexibility owing to the knitted fabric sitting snugly around the ankles. Practicality is not an oversight either; the futuristic rubber soles are crafted so that the shoes are as supportive to walk in as possible. The Track.2 sneakers, meanwhile, are a Frankenstein mix of nylon, mesh and rubber that dials the technical trend up a notch – think dad sneakers, but from the future and infinitely more fashionable. They come in a variety of colourways, and will look best when worn with sweatpants, or, to take a styling cue from Balenciaga itself, a wide-legged pair of tailored trousers.

The brand’s footwear isn’t just about head-turning sneakers, of course. Its Strike boots are well worth paying attention to – crafted in Italy from sleek black leather, they’re satisfyingly chunky thanks to the lug soles, and are a stylish choice for stomping around the city in the chillier months. Then, there’s the brand’s considerable collection of belt bags, phone pouches, backpacks, and messenger bags. Like the aforementioned boots, Balenciaga’s leather accessories are also made in Italy – the crinkled leather messenger bag makes for a suitable point of difference – and is a stylish, everyday way to carry your phone, wallet, keys, face mask, hand sanitiser, and, well, whatever else we’ll all be needing to survive the coming months.

Which brings us back to Balenciaga’s unparalleled ability to define the moment. As our clothes have an increasingly need to be both versatile and pleasurable to wear, Balenciaga’s effortless knack for balancing everyday practicality with a bold, self-styled creativity, leaves it head – and oversized shoulders – above the competition.