The Flash-In-The-Pan Sneaker Fads That Need to Stay Stone Cold
Fads are often perpetuated by no logical reason other than a popular person doing it first, and subsequently the practice gains widespread appeal – even if it’s objectively plain stupid. The same very much happens in the sneaker world. The below fads, trends and passing fancies (there are plenty more synonyms…) have had their moment, or are still having a flash in the pan. But TBH, they need to go away – for good.
Pre-Distressed Sneakers
It was recently detailed to great length here, but this pre-yellowed and faux patina thing really needs to be relegated to the dustbin of sneaker history – although that’s probably where it came from in the first place. Perhaps one day in the not too distant future, sneakerheads will come to their senses and no longer desire customising and wearing current-day releases that look like they’ve been to hell and back. It’s not just at a DIY level either – brands need to stop pretending their latest shoes are older than they actually are.
Wearing Mismatched Shoes
With the abundance of models like the Air Jordan 1 and Nike Dunk in the market right now, many sneakerheads have gone a step further to stand out. One way they’re doing this is wearing a different colourway on each foot. This needs to stop! It's a bit like putting pineapple on pizza: good separately, but terrible together. Also, the cringe threshold must be quite high to deliberately put on mismatched sneakers. Even more so, the uneven wear across the two shoes of a matching pair must be too neurosis-inducing for some. There are some notable exceptions to the rule, but only just. ‘What The’ style releases by nature are mismatched, but they don’t necessarily have to be ever worn outside.
Toe Pushing
The retro runner boom of the 2010s was a boon for brands to reissue archival joggers, occasionally with loose interpretations of historical accuracy – especially in the toe box region. As a result, many sneakerheads improvised by sizing down their AM1s and 1500s by at least a full size to exaggerate the toe rake and, more prevalently, pushed down with their toes to slant the bumper downwards. These techniques were pioneered by continental kick heads, but the fad spread worldwide. The dream is over: pointy toe bumpers are no more.
Puddle Splash WDYWT Pics
The advent of affordable DSLR cameras, and smartphones equipped with better cameras, has meant sneakerheads are putting more effort into their on-foot photos. Great! What isn’t as admirable is the extreme lengths to capture a daily sneaker pic that has about as much permanence as the mayfly’s life cycle. One specific example is the puddle stepping WDYWT (What Did You Wear Today) shot. That often requires multiple takes, a self-timer, or a long-suffering friend/partner. Unless it’s for a GORE-TEX demo, life’s too short, take a pic and wear the shoes on dry land.
KAWS Lacing
Brian Donnelly, better known as KAWS, has never professed to being a sneakerhead. However, the artist’s defining X motif has gone on to inform one of the most superfluous footwear fads largely endemic to the hypebeast crowd. Known as ‘KAWS Lacing’, it involves relacing the Yeezy BOOST 350 in such a way that the exposed lace portions form crosses, much like the KAWS X. The excess lace is then rolled up into a hangman’s noose. If only this trend was headed for such a grisly end.
There were some shocking shoe trends back in 2017 too. Revisit those moments here.
