Sock Sneakers: Innovative Design or Ridiculous Fad?
Fashion can be senseless sometimes, dividing people along lines of style that boil down to nothing more than a simple matter of taste. But some fashion trends are more polarizing than others, and since we’re approaching the end of the year, it seems like a good time to reflect on what the past twelve months have brought us in terms of controversial clothing. One of 2017’s biggest fashion trends — or faux-pas, depending on your point of view — has been the so-called “sock sneaker.” This hybrid between what you wear inside your shoes and the shoe itself has been making waves in fashion circles and among the general public for a while now, but is it really all it’s cracked up to be or just another flash in the pan?
Labelled by GQ as “snockers,” the now-infamous sock sneakers marry the comfort of snug socks and the practicality of sneakers. Popularized by high-end labels and designers like Balenciaga and Kanye West with his “Yeezy Boost,” snockers appeal to the contemporary urban dweller who values style over sturdiness. These sneakers are not made for athletics. Instead, they are often seen paired with suits, slacks, or dresses for a quirky, smart, casual look that’s in line with sporty fashion trends like “athleisure,” which has been gracing catwalks all over the world in recent years.
The popularity of the snocker cannot be underestimated: Balenciaga’s $700 offering, the “Speed Trainer,” is perpetually out of stock, with demand for it always far outweighing supply. This shoe takes some cues from dad sneakers, but it’s decidedly minimal in appearance (one of the keys to its popularity, as it can be worn to dress down a smart look and dress up an informal one). Zara has released a similar, more cost-effective version that starts at $70.