Sneakers - or as they were once called, sports shoes - have taken the world by storm. Remember when these kicks were reserved strictly for athletic wear? Those days are long gone.
Sneakers have evolved from clunky, "bread loaf" designs to sleek, foot-hugging silhouettes. Now, they’re versatile enough to pair with just about anything - even a full suit.
So, what’s making waves in sneaker trends for 2016? Let’s break it down.
Woven Wonders
This year, woven materials are taking center stage. Expect to see leather and synthetic weaves dominating collections. Converse has led the charge with its Mono Weave collection, reimagining the iconic Chuck Taylor 70 and Deck Star 67 in intricate woven suede.
Converse Mono Wave
And Nike? They’re ready to make a splash with no fewer than nine colorways of the suede Mayfly Woven this spring.
Nike Mayfly Woven
Nike Free Inneva
Throwback Skater Style
Skater-inspired sneakers continue to fuel the sneaker community. Timeless classics like the Vans Old Skool and Converse Jack Purcell are back, proving that low-top skate shoes never go out of style.
Vans Old Skool.
Greats – A youthful American brand making its mark.
Converse Jack Purcell
Sneakers high-end
High fashion has officially entered the sneaker game. From Rick Owens and Raf Simons’ lucrative collaborations with adidas to artisanal brands like John Lobb, Lanvin, and Koio, sneakers are no longer just casual.
John Lobb Levah
Koio Collective
John Lobb Levah: Minimalist suede and calf leather perfection.
Lanvin: Mastering sophistication with simple, luxurious designs.
High-end sneakers in 2016 are all about premium materials and understated elegance.
The Mid-Range Heroes
If luxury sneakers are out of reach, mid-range brands have you covered. These brands take cues from the big players, offering similar aesthetics at wallet-friendly prices.
adidas Tubular
COS, the minimalist fashion brand.
Mango Man
The adidas Tubular is often rumored to be a prototype design for the Yeezy Boost. Meanwhile, many mid-range brands like COS, Zara, Mango Man, and Topman consistently put effort into their sneaker collections.
Neutral Tones Dominate
After the all-white frenzy of 2015 and triple-black mania in 2014, 2016 is all about neutral tones like beige and stone gray. These shades make outfit coordination a breeze.
Puma Blaze Ignite
A key advantage of neutral-toned sneakers is their versatility - they let you pair them with any outfit without worrying about the shoes clashing with your overall color scheme.
Common Projects Spring-Summer 2016 Collection.
Current options include the Common Projects Achilles, Tod’s, and Hender Scheme. For something more familiar, gray suede adidas Stan Smiths, Puma Blaze Ignite, and Nike Archive 83.Ms are sure to impress.
Collaboration Craze
Sneaker collabs are always showstoppers. While predicting this year’s hits is tough, some notable partnerships are already in the spotlight:
DIADORA X PACKER SHOES X RAEKWON N9000
PREMIER X NEW BALANCE 998 PRMR
A KIND OF GUISE X ADIDAS CONSORTIUM
Sneaker Boots Are In
High-top sneaker boots strike the perfect balance between ruggedness and luxury.
NIKE AIR MAX 90 SNEAKERBOOT
adidas Yeezy Boost 750
The Nike Air Max 90 is a pair of sneakers boots with a bold, modern vibe. We also can’t forget adidas, with models like the Tubular Boot and Yeezy 750, which have remained incredibly popular since their release last year.
The Return of Icons
Legends never die. Iconic sneakers from the past are making a strong comeback, blending their timeless designs with fresh updates.
The adidas Stan Smith in suede.
Reebok Club C 85
New Balance 900
Nike Cortez
The adidas Stan Smith/Superstar, Reebok Club C 85, New Balance 990, and Nike Cortez continue to bring fresh value with their original designs.
Reference: Fashionbeans
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