You don't have to be a full-blown sneakerhead to clock the value trainers add to a wardrobe. There's nearly no event, at least in chronically casual Australia, where a pair of sneakers can't be subbed in in place of heels.
So what's making waves in the sneaker world this year? Two years ago, sneaker trends slimmed down drastically. Basketball styles like Nike Dunks and Air Force 1s were subbed out for dainty soccer-forward silhouettes like the adidas Samba and Spezial. In fact, last year we hit peak Samba, with the style flooding sidewalks, offices, and our digital feeds. Which has one wondering if overexposure will push them out of the trend cycle in 2024?
You'll still catch bulky trail-running footwear in droves (Salomon are gearing up for another huge year). And who among us is willing to part with our always comfy Asics, especially when Andersson Bell and Cecilie Bahnsen put their own spin on the style? However, there are a handful of sneaker styles that are due for a resurgence.
We anticipate the adidas Superstar will replace the Samba and Spezial. At Nike, the Cortez will draw an audience (I'm talking about the people who miss out on Bode's Astro Grabber collaboration). Meanwhile, slim sneakers will continue their reign, with Puma's Palermo sneaker still a hot piece of footwear realestate.
PUMA Palermo
With so much emphasis on terrace culture in fashion, we're betting on the Puma Palermo. The brand is certainly pushing for recognition, with Dua Lipa in its recent Palermo campaign, wearing the sneaker in her Houdini music video and by teaming up with Coperni. Not only does its smooth, slim profile fit the bill, but in the year the style has been seen on Emily Ratajkowski, and old Y2K releases are being snatched up on Depop like hotcakes. A post-Samba renaissance alternative. Need another rec? The Puma Mostro is also on our mind.
ADIDAS SL 72
Let's suppose interest in the adidas Samba dies down after two years of going gangbusters. Where does that leave us? The Spezial perhaps; maybe even Gazelles. My feeling is that the adidas SL 72 will have the staying power to replace Sambas in 2024. The style is enjoying a surge in popularity thanks to its slender, nostalgic profile. Plus, it helps that they have Bella Hadid and RUSSH digital cover star Mary Fowler's tick of approval.
ONITSUKA TIGER Mexico 66
Like most sneakers, the Mexico 66 style from Onitsuka Tiger comes with its own origin story. Far from simply being the shoe Uma Thurman wears in Kill Bill, they were designed initially as a style for athletics, and in 1968 were selected as the official sneaker of the Olympic Games in Mexico City (yes, the one when Tommie Smith and John Carlos did the Black Power salute). Hence the name. Their shape has always seen people draw comparisons with the adidas Samba, and recently they've had a moment as an alternative to the popular German sneaker. Although, we suspect the style will hit its peak in 2024. Shrewd shoppers might opt for the Onitsuka Tiger Tokuten instead.
NIKE Cortez
Yes, the "Forrest Gump" shoe. Released 52 years ago now, and one of the first track shoes Nike designed, it would be naive to think the Cortez ever went out of fashion. It's all time. Nike re-engineered the recent versions of the shoe to feature a wider toe box and more durable materials. We particularly like the retro feel of the styles that arrive with nylon uppers. And if you can't get hold of the Nike x Bode Astro Grabber collaboration, then this is your next best bet.
PRADA America's Cup
The first America's Cup sneaker was conceived in 1997 for the Luna Rossa Italian sailing team, and in doing so Prada kicked off the genre of luxury sportswear. That iteration of the sneaker, and its signature Linea Rossa logo, found fans in UK grime artists and the fashion set alike, and now they're fetching hundreds on resale sites like Vestiaire, The Real Real and Depop. The modern iteration is more bubbly than the original, but no less iconic.
