The recent fashion scene has become even more diverse with the maturation of sneaker styles and the increase in options. We will introduce the direction of the sneaker trend in 2017/18 based on interviews with sneaker stores and sneaker brands, as well as fixed-point observations at Tokyo Street and Pitti Uomo.
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Sneaker Trend #1 “”Low-Texture Sneakers” are a classic, but the trend is moving
Low-tech sneakers have gained a lot of support regardless of time, but there are no small number of trend waves. In the past few years, the popularity of Adidas Stan Smiths and New Balance 574s is still fresh in our minds. Among these low-tech sneakers, the Vans Old Skool is currently attracting a great deal of attention. The popularity is also due to the fact that the company celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016, and many collaborative models and reissued models are being developed to commemorate the anniversary. This is one of the reasons for the brand’s popularity.
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Sneaker Trend 2: “Knit-Upper Sneakers with Sock-Like Comfort
For example, major sneaker brands such as adidas include ultra boost, NMD, and YEEZY series, while NIKE uses knit uppers in its standard models from vapor max to air force 1 and air max. In recent years, brands such as Diadora and Asics Tiger have followed suit, developing models with knit uppers. In addition to comfort and breathability, because it is equipped with lightweight, there is also a lot of demand as training and running sneakers.
Sneaker Trend #3: “High-quality leather sneakers that go well with suit styles
In recent years, when styling sneakers with suits and jacket styles has become common, simple leather sneakers with a dressy look are the hot stock. Combined with the fact that the Sports Agency has announced that it is encouraging people to wear sneakers to work and other comfortable walking attire, attention to sneakers that can be worn with suits is only increasing. The industry is particularly pushing high-quality, simple leather sneakers from companies such as Common Project and Zespa.
[ Related article ] For more information on Common Projects sneakers, please visit
Sneaker trend 4: “Next-generation sneakers with cutting-edge technology
Sneakers with cutting-edge technology, such as NIKE’s HyperAdapt, which allows shoe laces to be adjusted with the touch of a button, and Vapormax, which offers bouncy comfort through air adjustment, are also gaining popularity, especially among sneakerheads. It is also interesting to note that each brand offers sneakers with unique designs, such as Adidas’ Springblade, which uses blades on the sole, and Reebok’s ATV 19+, which uses a projection-like design on the sole.
Click here for details of Vapormax
Sneaker Trend #5: “Retro and high-tech running sneakers for the modern age.
Sneakers that are currently experiencing a revival boom in the fashion industry as a whole are running sneakers with a retro look. Major brands such as NIKE and adidas, as well as well-known brands such as Acne and Yeezy, offer sneakers with a similar look. It is interesting to note that some people are starting to wear “Dunlop” sneakers as a result of the trend.
Sneaker Trend #6: “The development of a classic model that reprints & updates details of vintage models.”
The classic vintage model is highly popular among sneaker enthusiasts. Nowadays, many brands are offering reissued versions of these classic vintage models with unique details and coloring. For example, the “CT70” is a reissue of the Converse All Star with details from the 1970s, while Vans has the Flame model, which was extremely popular in the 1990s. Nike reissued the Sport Red model to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the AIR MAX1, and many other reissued models are being developed by other brands as well. Some models have the latest technology on the soles, which is an attractive feature of the reissued versions. You may have a chance to wear your favorite sneakers that you wore out a long time ago again soon.
Click here for details of the Converse CT70.
Sneaker Trend 7: “The Rise of Italian Luxury Sneakers”
As sneakers that can be worn with conservative jackets or denim with a beautiful dress silhouette, “high-priced” brands such as Golden Goose and Phillip Model, and “slightly high-priced” Italian brands such as Atlantic Stars, are attracting attention. The “high price range” brands such as Golden Goose and Phillip Model, and “slightly higher priced” Italian brands such as Atlantic Stars are attracting attention. Some fashion-conscious consumers are turning to maison-brand sneakers such as Valentino instead of the above-mentioned brands.
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Sneaker Trend ⑧ “Clean white sneakers are becoming the new standard “
The “sneaker” is a pair of clean white sneakers. The trend of “out of the standard model” and “out of the standard brand” in such white sneakers is expected to become a little stronger. While standard white sneakers are of course attractive, choosing sneakers from non-standard brands with a different flavor will be a strong option.
Sneaker Trend ⑨ “The trend for rare sneakers is resurgent among highly sensitive fashionistas.
Fashion = take it in before it goes out of style. It’s nonsense to wear the same thing as everyone else.” In the long-running sneaker boom, more and more people are looking for a third option in the form of rare sneakers, not limited to the fashion-conscious core group. Sneaker stores such as MITA Sneakers and Atmos have been offering special-order models, and Adidas brand collaborations such as White Mountaineering and HIKE have also been attracting a lot of attention. It is fresh in our minds that collection brands such as Comme des Garcons and Rick Owens are also developing collaborative models with major sneaker brands. Although extremely difficult to obtain, the Kanye West x Adidas Yeezyboost will also continue to be popular as they plan to roll out new models.
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