Popular and revisited almost excessively today, sneakers have become a great classic, so much so that it has become impossible not to have at least one pair in your closet. For some, it turns into an obsession, to the point of sometimes becoming real collectors.
Appreciated for their versatility, their comfort and the casual touch they bring to an outfit, we will see how to choose and wear a pair of low-top sneakers while remembering the beautiful history of these shoes, which have become symbols of an era.
Sneaker Retrospective
On the street, at work or on the sports fields, sneakers are everywhere today. And if today it has become completely commonplace, it was not always like this... Let's take a brief trip back in time and see together how sneakers successfully conquered the world. You can also learn all about the history of sneakers by watching this episode of VIRAL
From the Olympics to Hollywood, the epic tale of a rebellious shoe
It was in the 19th century that the sneaker phenomenon began. At this time, chemist Charles Goodyear invented the vulcanization process to stabilize rubber, also making it more elastic. This technique will enable the development of numerous industrial applications, notably those of tires and… shoes.
Poster from the Keds brand presenting their sneaker model.
If some historical precedents exist, we consider that the first real sneaker would have been born in the factories of the Keds brand, in 1916, a subsidiary of the Uniroyal company (today a tire manufacturer).
These shoes are made of canvas and have a flexible rubber sole topped with an upper. Far from wooden or leather soles, heavier and noisier when walking, this shoe was quickly nicknamed the “sneaker”, derived from the English “to sneak on” (to sneak in, to arrive slowly or by surprise).
At the same time, another company also launched into the design of shoes for tennis and then basketball. Based in Boston, the Converse Rubber Shoe Company marketed the A11 Star shoe in 1917, very close to the Converse “All Star” model of today.
But it was in 1921 that their notoriety really boomed. The company calls on basketball player Chuck Taylor to become their ambassador to promote their model to American university students. Very involved, the basketball player, then only 21 years old, helped popularize this new type of shoe among a relatively young audience. Converse will also pay tribute to him by renaming the shoe the “Chuck Taylor All Star” in 1932.
James Dean photographed with a pair of low-top Converse.
Far from the basketball courts, it was Hollywood that during the 1950s brought sneakers to the streets, as was often the case with clothing. Actors like Marlon Brando or James Dean (who, in 1955, wore a Chuck Taylor model throughout the filming of “The Fury of Living”) brought a little touch of glamor to these shoes, legitimizing their everyday wear .
The musical and “arty” scene of the 60s, in the person of Andy Wharol, members of groups like the Rolling Stones or The Who, took up the torch and gave the sneaker a special place in the rocker's wardrobe.
Gradually, the sneaker took hold, becoming the baby boomer's shoe par excellence, then adopted by their children, the children's children. Mainstream today, we must remember that, very quickly, the sneaker was worn as a very strong symbol of political and cultural protest. And it is also this DNA which builds, in part, its legend.
Symbol and political struggle
Very quickly, sneakers seemed to break with conformity to free themselves from dress codes. Even more, it enjoys prominent publicity by being worn by great athletes during international sporting events.
Jesse Owens during his victory in the 200 meters at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
In 1936, the Summer Olympics were held in Berlin, pre-war Nazi Germany. Very quickly taking a turn mixing sport and politics, these games will celebrate the victory of the black American sprinter Jesse Owens in the 100 meters, the 200 meters, the long jump and the 4x100 meters relay in... sneakers designed by none other than Adi Dassler
Tommie C. Smith and John Carlos during the medal ceremony at the Mexico Olympics on 10/16/1968. Raised fist, sign of protest against racial segregation.
Later, during the post-war period and while racial segregation raged in the United States, it was once again on sports fields that the sneaker became a symbol of protest. During the 1968 Olympic Games held in Mexico, two American runners, Tommie C. Smith and John Carlos, occupied two of the podium places in the 200 meters.
When they climbed onto the podium, they made an impression by removing their pair of PUMA Suede, then a symbol of belonging to the Black Panther movement, and by raising their left fist during the medal ceremony.
With a powerful imagination, sneaker brands managed to appropriate this subversive aspect. From the best-known equipment manufacturers like Adidas or Nike to more recently luxury brands like Margiela, Chanel or Lanvin, they have all been able to exploit this very lucrative phenomenon.
Protest marketing
Among the many events that contributed to establishing sneakers as the most popular shoes, the streetwear movement holds a good place. Indeed, the advent of hip-hop and breakdancing will impose this shoe in the urban landscape.
Young people then seize the dress codes of these artists and make them their own, in order, as always, to stand out from their elders. Sneakers then became the shoes of the street, marking a break with the bourgeois world and the “dominant” castes.
The Run DMC Group and their Adidas.
This was particularly the case for the famous Adidas model, the Superstar. At the end of the 80s, the group Run DMC, during a concert, sang one of their songs and shouted to the audience "put your Adidas in the air". One of the brand's representatives, present at the time, witnessed a remarkable event: a large part of the spectators brought their sneakers with the three stripes and brandished them in front of the stage. From then on, the brand will sign a contract with the group and will continue to associate their image with artists at the forefront of trends in order to stand out from the competition.
Michael Jordan and his now famous Nike Air Jordans.
In the same way, Nike will quickly understand the benefit of associating with celebrities. We particularly remember their emblematic pair, the Nike Air Jordan, created in homage to Michel Jordan, at the time star basketball player for the Chicago Bulls. For the record, this model was banned by the NBA because it did not respect the dress codes imposed in the practice of this sport (namely all white sneakers while the Air Jordan was red and white). Nike agreed to pay a fine of $5,000 for each match in which the athlete wore their shoes. A marketing move that paid off...
Sneakers and couture, the first steps of sneakers in the world of fashion
As is often the case, fashion and street inspire each other and end up offering almost “hybrid” pieces, having inherited the best of both worlds. Owned or in collaboration (the famous collaborations between ready-to-wear brands and luxury houses or major designers), the sneaker is today a must-have that we snap up... at a price Golden.
A quick overview of the most "in" sneakers of the moment (until next season...).
The famous Triple S from Balenciaga, often out of stock, which you can get for €695.
The Chanel X Pharrell Hu Race Trail fetches more than €10,000 at resale or auction...
The Adidas Y-3 4D, popular with purists, priced at €519 (at the start).
The collaboration between Off-White and Nike, having reinterpreted the legendary Air Jordan model. Sold at €180 originally by Nike, its resale price ranges from €850 to more than €1000.
80 million: this is the number of pairs of Stan Smiths sold since the creation of the model by the Adidas brand in 1964. It is also the supposedly best-selling sneaker in the world (but the debate remains open, particularly when comparing sales of the Van's Authentic...)
Why wear low sneakers?
Now let's move on to the part that interests you - probably - the most. Because yes, you did not come here to hear yourself recite a history lesson, as fascinating as it may be. Because deep down it's true, by seeing sneakers on every street corner, we end up losing our way, at the risk of getting bored of them. To begin with, what makes this shoe so popular and what might be the point of wearing it?
Comfort above all!
Well first of all, many people today prioritize comfort over style. It's true that a nice pair of derbies or pretty ankle boots immediately give a dressier and more racy look to your outfit. But after a day of trips to the photocopier and hours spent standing with your colleagues in front of the coffee machine, you may change your mind.
The primary interest of sneakers lies in their great flexibility guaranteed, as explained above, by the presence of a rubber sole which ensures flexibility of movement and in particular of the back of your foot. The creators are constantly thinking about improving this characteristic to ensure better support by chasing away scoliosis and other tendinitis that can appear so quickly.
It is an all-terrain shoe (however, we should avoid embarking on a trek with the aim of climbing Tibet). Its origins and the numerous reinterpretations of which it is the subject, above all allow it to be integrated into a multitude of different looks, making it one of the most versatile and practical shoes available.
How to choose and wear low sneakers?
Low-top sneakers have the particularity of being combined in a thousand different ways. Versatile, it is subject to - almost - no rules and will be worn instinctively.
From casual to dressy looks, sneakers are now everywhere. Alexandre Matuissi, designer of the AMI brand proves it to us here.
However, here are some tips that could help you find and wear your sneakers:
- First, opt for a simple model with a sleek design.
- If you're not a big streetwear addict, make sure to choose a versatile pair. Due to its origin and its universe, it will always fit easily into a streetwear look but can also be suitable for a more casual outfit.
- Favor solid colors and avoid big logos (generally speaking, we always avoid big logos eh).
- If you can find a lot of canvas sneakers, certain suede models will be relevant if you want to start a more dressy outfit. Plastic compositions are also possible but more streetwear oriented (sometimes also of lower quality).
- As for laces, you will find a majority of rope models, which can be quite messy (especially if they are white). The must is to find a model with leather laces.
- For more resistant models, choose glued and sewn soles.
Low-top sneakers will go just as well with jeans as chinos, more dressy wool pants for example or summer shorts, when the mercury is at its highest.
No need to do so much, but you get the idea...
A few tips can help you show off your sneakers. For example, we can roll the bottom of the pants to create a break by clearly dividing the bottom of the pants/shoes. Likewise, for the more experienced among you, wearing a pair of original socks (patterned or in a bright color) will highlight your shoes even more. However, make sure that the colors go well together and avoid wearing colorful sneakers as this risks creating an unattractive visual clutter.
A master of urban style, designer Simon Porte Jacquemus combines XL pants (or even XL cargo) and sneakers to perfection.
We are increasingly seeing the return of wide, even very wide, trouser cuts. We can easily imagine these kinds of XL pieces worn with low-top sneakers. Indeed, the minimal appearance of the shoes will attenuate the too wide effect of the pants and give you an almost retro look.
When it comes to style, there are multiple choices available to you. As you continue reading you will find some examples to draw inspiration from.
Some look ideas...
Streetwear in chaos
Here, no worries, the whole thing is very minimal and very summery. We combine a simple white t-shirt with a rolled handle (the Rolex being optional and ultimately almost fun). The straight blue jeans are cut at the ankle revealing a pair of tennis socks to create a typically streetwear effect and which highlights a basic pair of white low-top sneakers. The t-shirt is tucked into the pants to slightly highlight the waist and outline the silhouette.
Here again, the low-top sneakers are highlighted thanks to the cropped pants. The contrast works because the base of the outfit is made up of white (t-shirt, pants, cap... backwards). And to add color to everything, a very simple green suede jacket, a little more daring. For those who are more cautious, we can imagine a model in camel version which would work just as well.
This is a more elaborate look idea. The base remains quite basic with a white t-shirt tucked into almost roughly rolled jeans, revealing the ankle and drawing the eye to the pair of white sneakers. All almost contained in an oversized black bomber jacket to give a more urban look. And then always a little color with some kitsch accessories: a bright yellow watch and a red and white checkered tote bag (or the person was just going shopping...).
Casual in basketball
Here we start with a classic layering outfit in shades of brown. Shirt, overshirt with one button, suede effect and open mac. Here the mustard yellow low-top sneakers have the effect of adding color to a rather dark outfit. They also refer to the other end of the body, the head, covered with an equally flashy orange hat. This is an idea worth exploring...
Here, the look is deliberately composed of rather loose pieces in neutral colors: a slightly faded navy blue bathrobe coat and joggers in a similar shade which are separated by a simple T-shirt that couldn't be more basic. Add a pair of white low-top sneakers with a distinctive little pattern that adds just the right amount of pep to liven up the whole look.
Low sneakers, if they are simple and versatile, will also have the effect of tempering an outfit. In this photo, the look is divided into two distinct parts. A low part, navy chinos worn short and super simple white low-top sneakers, a classic combo that always works. Just add a strong piece, like this thick cotton shirt with Native American-inspired patterns and that's it.
Much more airy and very summery, here we have an example of the famous oversized pants mentioned above. The rather pale and “earthly” colors make up a fairly soft ensemble. Low sneakers therefore have the effect of breaking up the fullness of the pants.
Sarto uninhibited
Costume, color, detail and risk-taking (notably by integrating a denim shirt into a formal suit). We had to tone it down by adding a pair of white sneakers so as not to take ourselves too seriously. Without forgetting the flashy sock which immediately catches the eye and highlights the shoes.
Without forgetting our own sneakers...
On the sneaker side, everything is made in Portugal with French and Italian leathers chosen by us.
