Sneaking up and how!

Manpriya Singh

First they got bright, then versatile. As if that wasn’t enough to celebrate the sneakers largely responsible for the athleisure movement. Then they got all that they could sequentially—neon, chunky, colour-blocked, shocking. What would be classified as big ugly sneakers a decade back are the new cool, Balenciaga Triple S kicks being a strong case in point. What would be considered strictly under-dressing is something the stars flaunt on social media and sometimes, even covet publicly. “Sneakers can definitely be attributed to athleisure. Now, they are not only connected to sports but are also synonymous with a strong fashion statement. Is it any wonder that we even sport some of the brides wearing these?” opines fashion and style influencer Rubby Singh, who personally loves how a good pair can up the style game. “I feel they are comfortable, stylish and go along with everything, thereby making them an obsession among us. Plain white sneakers are being paired with suits by men, which makes for a tremendous look.”

Is it any wonder that earlier this year, hundreds of Australian shoppers queued—some even overnight—to buy a pair of Yeezy Boost 350V2 Black Static Adidas sneakers? Not the end of the story, before lining up customers had to register and go into a draw to determine whether they could buy a pair. The limited edition shoes that initially sold for a few hundred dollars being traded up for thrice their price is Internet folklore now. The same pair that Diljit Dosanjh publicly coveted in an interview, citing at not being able to get his hands on a pair and requesting, “Kim Kardashian’s husband, if you make a pair then at least ensure it is available.”

That is not an isolated case of most trending shoes; which keeps getting updated each season and finding their way in what’s now called, ‘Sneaker closets’

‘Love at first white’, is how Shahid Kapoor captions one of his pair of white sneakers. A couple of years ago, Anand Ahuja wore them on his reception and Rhea Kapoor with a lehenga for her sister’s wedding. That was a big moment for sneakers. But that wasn’t the first or the only one. A couple of years when the power of athleisure just about began to engulf the fashion world, and redefine the rules of ‘what’s appropriate’.

Dos and don’ts

• Sneakers are an investment. Always better to invest in a good pair of sneakers considering all aspects, including comfort and style. Even if it’s on the pricier side, a good pair will last you much longer than any other off the market.
• Pick what style suits you, don’t follow the trends blindly. There are high-top sneakers and low and these silhouettes work on certain people.
• Don’t wear sneakers with ill-fitted bottoms.
• Don’t go overboard with statement sneakers. While choosing an outfit to go with shoes like Balenciage Triple S, tone down a little. You don’t want to add more bright colours or more statements when you got shoes like that. Remember less is more.

manpriya@tribunemail.com