Sneakerhead Swagger
How the tennis shoe became — and remained — a national treasure
Of all the different types of footwear, sneakers have had the most revolutionary journey and are arguably the most versatile. What began as a shoe with the sole purpose of sports courts are now perfectly acceptable to wear to work. Some even don sneakers at weddings.
During the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution brought about many inventions, one being vulcanized rubber. Thus, the rubber-soled shoe was born.
These shoes, called plimsolls in England, were used for recreational activities and faired particularly well on tennis courts. Hence, the Americanized title “tennis shoes.”
By 1916, the U.S. Rubber Company made a more comfortable version of the plimsoll and called the brand Keds. Before long, they were being mass-produced and sported on the most notable courts, such as Wimbledon.
Other companies took note and began adapting shoes to the sport. By the early 1900s, Converse All Star became the shoe of basketball; Adidas, the shoe of track and field; and Nike, the shoe for running.
Sneakers saw a significant rise in popularity in the 1970s with the presence of b-boy and hip-hop culture in New York City — a city the nation looked to for fashion advice. A hallmark of hip-hop stars was unique clothes that defined an artist.
↑ Adidas Originals collaborated with global fashion and media brand Highsnobiety to create the limited-edition HIGHArt Campus sneaker. The shoe, packaged in a custom co-branded box and delivered with a one-off canvas tote bag, boasts a neutral, “stripped down” style for versatility. Photo courtesy of Adidas
At the time, sneakers were an easily customizable yet fairly affordable fashion purchase. The term sneakerhead came about as collecting became a craze.
Some, such as Run-D.M.C., went as far as selecting a signature shoe. The group’s was the Adidas Superstar. The devotion led to their hit 1986 track My Adidas.
But it was Michael Jordan in 1985 who brought sneakers to their heyday with the release of the Nike Air Jordans. Everyone wanted to “be like Mike,” whether they played basketball, were a fan of the sport or simply thought the signature “Jumpman” design looked cool.
Ever since, sneaker companies have maintained their status as a billion-dollar industry. Many collector shoes or celebrity collaboration shoes can cost in the thousands.
“Sneakers are a huge part of pop culture and are consistently promoted across multiple industries from professional sports to film to music,” said Doug Ramos, owner of Picked, a vintage shop. “Our eyes are always on sneakers. They have changed from strictly utilitarian to a fashion statement.”
Ramos, a self-proclaimed sneakerhead and lover of all vintage clothing, specializes in selling Nike, Jordan, Adidas and New Balance. He’s noticed a particular rise in the Adidas Samba.
While sneaker style is cyclical, Ramos believes an all-white shoe will never go out of style. Rather than focusing too much on the popularity of a brand, he encourages shoppers to invest in quality.
“Whether your definition of quality is a well-made sneaker or if it’s a sneaker that will hold its value, both are important,” said Ramos.
Sneakers are stylish, but there’s no denying that they are beloved for their comfort.
“Construction and fabrication are crucial when choosing what to wear on your feet,” said Candace Thompson, vice president of Hearth & Soul — a store that sells a variety of sneaker brands that are equal parts fashion-forward and functional.
Fashion brand Taxidermy rebuilds classic Chuck Taylors with luxury python. These “luxe Chucks” have been spotted on several celebrities, including Beyoncé and Kylie Jenner. You can find them locally at Hearth & Soul. Photo courtesy of Hearth & Soul
On Hearth & Soul’s shelves, you’ll find the classics from Vince, nostalgic options by Gola, modern choices from 4CCCCEES and Homers and customizable kicks by Chuck Taylor.
Thompson notes that they carry many sneakers acceptable for workplace culture when styled with dresses, trousers and suits. She’s even witnessed a pair of Lux Chucks at a wedding.
For everyday style, Thompson suggests platform sneakers and tailored trousers, a silk slip dress paired with a clean white sneaker or ankle-length jeans to showcase your kicks.
In the world of sneakers, it can be hard to keep up with what’s hot and what’s not. So, do what’s best for you, and remember: The most iconic trailblazers on the sneaker scene selected shoes that reflected their personal style, and they got noticed for embracing that strong sense of self.
Origin Story
A Sneaker For Every Sport
Keds
Photo courtesy of Designer Brands
Keds were the first mass-marketed canvas-top shoe with rubber soles. By the 1920s, they were the most worn shoes of international tennis champions.
Converse All Star
Photo courtesy of Converse
In 1917, the Converse All Star became the first mass produced basketball shoe in North America. “Chuck Taylor” was added in 1932 to the ankle patch in honor of the Akron Firestone’s basketball player, a huge fan of the shoe.
Nike
Photo courtesy of Nike
Seeking the optimal running shoe, track athlete Phil Knight, and his coach Bill Bowerman founded Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964. In 1971, the name was changed to Nike, after the Greek goddess of victory.
Adidas
Photo courtesy of Adidas
Adidas is widely known for being the first to develop spiked running shoes for sports such as track and field, football and soccer. The shoes made their debut at the 1936 Olympics.
