The hype around sneakers is not diminishing - fortunately. With no other shoe are you equally comfortable and stylish on the road. What styles await you this year and what our childhood has to do with it.
Hand on heart: How many days a week are you out and about in Kicks? Exactly. I wear them almost every day, too. Thanks to their versatility, they've quietly morphed from actual athletic shoes to feel-good everyday companions over the past few decades. If you're looking for the "it" factor in sneakers as well as comfort, go for these five trends.
#1 Used Look
#2 High-top
#3 Performance Kicks
#4 Eco sneakers
#5 It details
Sneakers this year reflect the desires of our time. Instead of new and unprecedented trends, long-established ones dominate, or at least those that were already here and will continue to grow in 2022. With Velcro closures from childhood and pimped retro models from the 80s, you pay tribute to the tried and true. Proven things that give you security and in which you feel comfortable.
When I’m not exploring the depths of the sea as an open water diver, I enjoy plunging into the world of fashion. On the streets of Paris, Milan and New York is where I keep my eyes peeled for the latest trends. And I’ll show you how to take them from the catwalk to your everyday life.
Everything used to be better - or at least almost everything. A touch of nostalgia resonates not only with clothes, but also with sneakers. In addition to reissues of well-known models such as Nike's Blazer 77 or New Balance's 990 series, the focus is also on new retro models. This means that the kicks look worn - i.e. used. You don't necessarily have to go to second-hand stores to get one - even if that would be a good thing. In order to refine their shoes, brands like Golden Goose, Reebok or Philippe Model rely on artificially soiled and worn leather or on yellowed midsoles. A special effect that usually comes at a price (see below). Alternatively, you can also nicely dirty up a pair of sneakers you already own with black tea or coffee grounds.
In keeping with the retro craze: shoes inspired by the basketball styles of the 80s. High-top styles are the way to go this year. At least as far as your ankles are concerned. The higher-cut kicks cover your ankles, which provides more support while walking or working out. Plus, they keep your ankles warm and dry in the cold or rain. While influencers:inside have already celebrated high-top sneakers in the past year, the shoe model has now reached the masses. I'm spotting the kicks more and more often on the streets and on public transport. What makes them so special? You style the all-weather all-rounder with jeans or wide wool pants in winter and with dresses or shorts in summer.
Stylish, comfortable and functional - running shoes are all the rage. Come to stay? Absolutely, as trite as that may sound. Their distinguishing feature? Apart from the fact that, like Ugly Dad sneakers, they also remind me of Daddy's kicks, they score points with reflectors, mesh details and an incredibly comfortable functional sole. Models with a fancy color combination are especially cool. But solid colors are easier to combine. So that it doesn't look like dad or I-just-came-from-sport, style breaks are a must. Combine them with jogging pants or jeans and an oversized blazer. Also pretty: a midi dress as soon as temperatures permit. And if you want to follow all the influencers, white tennis socks are a must.
Go green or go home. Environmental protection is one of the most important topics in our society. Consumers are suddenly not only interested in the product itself, but also in the production. So it's no surprise that green kicks are in hot demand this year, too. Fortunately: it's a sign that environmentally conscious sneakers are a sustainable trend. In addition to manufacturing, environmentally friendly materials are also an important aspect. Brands like Veja and Clae rely on vegetable leather made from corn waste or cacti for their models. Even Adidas has already released a green version of its classic "Stan Smith" made of mushroom leather. All vegan - of course. The sneakers are not only stylish, but also a statement ... and the perfect proof that eco-fashion can be stylish, too.
Speaking of stylish, small details make a big difference this year. Instead of Ugly Dad Sneakers, classic models with that certain something are in demand. Imagine "Stan Smiths" with Velcro - yes, it's back and reminds me of my kindergarten days - or a "Nike Dunk" with a platform sole. The effect is not only visually different: While Velcro looks playful, you'll cheat yourself bigger with a full-length heel. With Velcro sneakers, go for a colored model so that the whole thing doesn't remind you of health slippers. When it comes to materials, shiny textures - hello patent leather - and transparent side panels that reveal the shoe's inner construction are on the rise.
