Product of the week: The statement sneaker

What makes him special:

Although sneakers have never really gone out of style since the advent of sportswear, they currently have a very special place in fashion. They have once again reigned supreme on the FW23 runways. This time, many brands have put the sneaker in the spotlight in their collections, for example by using contrasting colors in the upper and colorful details on the laces and sole. And not only sportswear brands are currently targeting the sneaker. Luxury fashion is also involved and hopes to get a piece of the cake from the eye-catching styles. After all, the sneaker market is huge and there is no end in sight to its growth.

Why you should order them:

Of course, you already have sneakers in your range, but this season it’s worth stocking up. Everyone has long been wearing them, from the C-suite to the schoolyard, which makes them one of the most popular shoe models of all. Much of their popularity can be traced back to cultural figures such as musicians and athletes, who popularized the sneaker and influence which styles are trending at the moment. Many of the models offered by the brands are unisex silhouettes, which makes them interesting for a large target group. They’re also more comfortable than more formal shoes, and new technologies keep making them desirable.

Where we saw him:

For F/W23, many fashion houses have included the sneaker in their range through cooperations. Working with celebrities brings brands credibility in the sneaker business, especially when sneakers are not part of the brand DNA. Sacai, for example, has teamed up with Nike to reinterpret the sports brand’s Air Footscape – with an asymmetric lacing and a custom design. For its coming-of-age collection, Louis Vuitton presented a range of sneakers in iridescent metallic tones and oversized silhouettes that balance Louis Vuitton’s sophisticated style with streetwear. Botter went one step further and presented 3D printed shoes in collaboration with Reebok and Hewlett Packard. The colorful designs featured twisted, wavy soles that gave a whole new twist to classic footwear.

How to style them:

Sneakers have long outgrown the sneaker existence. Many models are no longer related to the sport they once came from and are instead designed for leisure use. They are now mostly worn for everyday wear and even for occasions, which means that you can wear a statement sneaker with almost any outfit and at any time of the day. If bold colors are included in the design, the rest of the outfit should be rather subtle. In order to ensure a clean look, the colors and patterns of the outfit should either be coordinated with a color of the shoe, or they should contrast with monochrome tones or non-colours.

The statement sneaker is a shoe model that really can be worn by everyone. This season, brands have designed it to be eye-catching and fit well into both casual and sporty wardrobes.

This article was previously published on FashionUnited.uk.