The athleisure movement’s dominance and the increasing demand for sneakers have been a major factor in the growth of the footwear industry. Sneakers have evolved from being a symbol of athleticism to becoming a highly desired consumer product. Sneakers are now a cultural commodity, with their appearance in sportswear, street fashion and runway couture.

Michael Jordan’s Nike Air Force Sneaker was introduced in 1985 and became a cultural icon. The shoe was advertised as a daily wearable shoe, not just for sports. The shoe quickly became one of the most popular sneakers in modern fashion, and sneakerheads still love it today.

Sneakerheads or sneaker collectors are well aware of the negative effects that the invention and growing craze of sneakers has had on them. They consider sneakers to be more than just footwear.

How exclusive are sneakers today, and how much do they cost?

Sneakers are the golden goose for luxury brands. Luxury brands dominate the sneaker industry due to a growing trend of’sneakerisation.’ Sales of luxury sneakers tripled between 2009 and 2015 thanks to the millennials’ desire to mix high-end items with cheaper options.

Today, it seems that most of the industry gets its inspiration by appealing to a wider audience. Despite this, the luxury industry continues to have a competitive edge. Even though the hype may have waned, sneakers remain a popular item that people are proud to own.

Resellers gaining the maximum advantage

In the world of streetwear, there are those who have it and those who don’t (the ones wearing Balenciaga and the Zara knockoffs). Reselling businesses jumped onto the streetwear trend quickly to offer clients affordable dupes, as not everyone could afford to purchase an exclusive pair.

The buying and selling of sneakers has changed from its previous days when it was done in neighbourhoods and by collectors who were passionate about the product. Like most sectors, the transition to faceless trading was driven primarily by financial gain for a time. Over the last four years, India’s sneaker reselling business has experienced rapid growth. It is now recognized as an alternative investment.

Collaborative Sneakers: The Rise of a New Trend

Sneakerheads are eager to add sneakers that have been created in partnership with celebrities, fashion houses and even food companies.

The Air Jordan x Dior Jordan 1 and the Adidas x Superstar, as well as RepsKiller, are three of the most talked about pairs of sneakers ever to hit the market.

In 2023, two colourways of the newest Adidas Forum Wings 4.0 Opal Pack’ by Jeremy Scott and Adidas Originals are set to debut. Travis Scott returns to the sneaker scene in 2023 with his Nike Air Jordan collaboration. The Travis Scott x Air Jordan WMNS ‘Olive,’ is built on black suede with off-white leather accents.

The PUMA Stewie 1 is expected to launch in 2023, after its launch in September 2022. Breanna Stewart recently revealed a PUMA stewie 1 colourway named ‘Reintroduce.’ This was done on Instagram. Contrary to the PUMA Stewie 1 colourways ‘Causing trouble’ and Quiet Fire,’ the Reintroduce colourway features a simple colour scheme in shades of beige, and cream.

Sneakers on Runways

Sneakers on the runway can showcase innovative, new styles. Fashion brands today are able to experiment with unconventional shapes, captivating colour schemes, and premium materials.

Heron Preston’s first presentation during New York Fashion Week 2023 was held in a sanitation division. The sneakers he wore on the runway were made of cellular films, a type of polyurethane.

Sneakers were seen on many catwalks during this year’s Paris Men’s Fashion Week. Louis Gabriel Nouchi elevated the shoe by combining casual sneakers with fashionable apparel. Amiri is a luxury brand that mainly wore white sneakers, and paired them with graphic T shirts, coats, and sweaters.

Lotto, a show brand from Italy, took inspiration from the glory days of Italian basketball to create its latest collection at Pitti Uomo’s Spring 2023 Fashion Show. Sneakers were everywhere at Voile Blanche. Hero Club’s aesthetic is constantly evolving. It uses daring colour combinations, silk-screen prints and the company insignia to create designs for casual shoes.

The Flower Mountain’s fall collection, a Japanese lifestyle shoe brand, had an adventurous, climbing feel to it. The sneakers’ uppers, which are designed after the traditional Japanese stitching technique known as Sashiko include textured, often 3D features, that give them an edge.

Gender Fluidity in Sneakers

Sneaker companies can expand their audience by leveraging female role models, and by reversing the stereotype that shoe-wearers are male.

Women prefer flat-soled sneakers to uncomfortable pumps and heels. Most women wear casual sneakers at work. Women wear them with jeans and dresses.

Women are less likely to be tempted by the high heels of yesteryear, as they are now worn more often for special occasions.

Women such as Aleali May who designed the Air Jordan 1 ‘Satin Shadow’, Melody Ehsani who designed the Air Jordan 1 Mid ‘Fearless’, and Chitose Abe, who was responsible for the Nike X Sacai Collaborations, have revolutionised sneaker design with their women-only sneakers, and their forward-thinking style statements.

THE LATEST SNEAKER TRENDS IN FASHION

Sneakers are becoming as popular in society today as denim was in the 1950s. No longer are they just for exercising in the rain. They have found a place on the red carpet as well as in the streets and at work.

1. Moc-Toe Sneakers

In 2023, moc-toe shoes will be popular because they are stylish but not formal. This footwear design is a hybrid that combines the comfort and room of a moccasin, with an outsole with tread or roughness to allow for walking.

Prada’s latest footwear design combines sneakers with formal shoes. The sneakers are elevated with edges that resemble a moc-toe. The sporty lacing loops on this pair and the vibrant color combinations of crimson/burgundy, and yellow make it even more sportswear-inspired. Prada’s latest design for Paris Men’s Fashion Week 2020 is supported by a large sole, with an oversized heels.

2. Y2K Skate Sneakers

Skate shoes from the early 2000s, with their massive, heavy and cushioned design, may be the next big sneaker trend to watch.

The trend began in the previous year, when Dior’s runway was dominated by minimal sneakers. The Dior logo is prominently displayed on the tongue of the premium version. It has embellishments along the sides. Saucony revealed its collaborations for S/S’ 23. These included a modernised Sonic Spotbilt sneaker and a number of reimagined Y2K running shoes.

3. 3D-Printed Sneakers

The bright blue sneakers were shown at the Spring/Summer 2019 show of US brand KidSuper during Paris Fashion Week. The sneakers are made of rubbery thermoplastic polyurethane. They have a more formal look with their expanded arch. The texture is knit-like and soft to touch.

Rains’ Puffer Boot for Paris Men’s Fashion Week has many carved-out sections on its upper, giving it the appearance of a stone sculpture. The upper, which is inspired by puffers and gives the boot its name, is made up of 90% air. Even the menswear brand Botter, which was part of Fall/Winter Fashion Week, created stunning 3D sneakers with tropical colors by taking inspiration from 3D paintings.

4. Running Sneakers

The year 2022 saw a surge in popularity for all-white sneakers. Performance manufacturers have introduced something more eye-catching, however: distinct soles that standout. Brands are using bright colours like yellow, baby-blue, tangerine, and red to cover sneakers.

Today, the majority of streetwear enthusiasts wear running shoe brands such as New Balance Asics Salomon. Kenzo’s own running shoe brand was introduced during the Fall/Winter season 2023. Kenzo’s version of the trend is more wearable and understated than other high-end fashion brands’ versions. The shoes feature a large midsole and chunky tongue, as well as subtle logos on the tongue and lateral.

5. Suede Sneakers

Suede is the material of choice for many shoe styles. Everyone is swooning over its classic style that combines neutral, flexible suede and vibrant bursts. Sneakerheads will be filling their shoe racks with navy blues and pale olives in 2023. They are neutral colors, but they add more visual interest than a simple brown.

To make the shoes more vibrant and captivating, deeper shades of burnt orange and olive are added to the trendy colours. Grace Wales Bonner updated sneakers for Paris Men’s Fashion Week in 2023 with subtle yet significant changes. These included premium black suede, gold eyelets, and a smaller Three Stripes Logo. The sneakers were now more suitable for the runway than your local gym. This Fall/Winter, Ryota’s latest creations from his technical brand were released in two pairs. Each pair has a monochromatic, suede-and-mesh upper with cream midsoles.

6. Chunky Soles

The dad trainer, hefty, or bulky sneaker is clearly a reference to the minimalist sneaker trend. Brands like Balenciaga, Gucci and others are currently embracing this trend.

If you’re interested in the trend of huge-sole sneakers, choose a shoe that has a sleek upper with simple or neutral colors. The heavy sole will soften the design and make it more comfortable. Colm Dillane of New York-based Kidsuper was selected to design the Fall/Winter collection 2023. The sneakers were shown on the runway with a chunky, spongy sole. There were also metallic-coloured zip-up laces and mesh shoes in burgundy. Kenzo also offered a pair silver and blue shoes that featured a chunky, midsole.

7. Trainers

Metaverse may be the reason why fashion is becoming more futuristic. Just by looking at the silver space age that was used on the S/S ’23 and A/W ’22 runways, you can tell how far the new collections have advanced. Wearing new shoes, or in this case trainers, is one of the easiest ways to adapt any new trend.

Vegan trainers may not be unique, but they are sure to become more popular in 2023. Cecilie Bahnsen’s S/S ’23 collection featured a variety of outfits that were all worn with trainers. The subtle dresses in whites, pistachios and powder blues were paired with trainers in different styles with floral embossed embellishments.