The Timelessness of Sneakers

Grace Gefsky

February 15th Blog Post 

The Sneaker

Think of the last time you wore a sneaker. Was it to go for a run? The grocery store? Perhaps it was to walk to school or walk through the mall?

 Sneakers are effortless and everywhere. They are both the core of comfort and the pinnacle of chic style. Today, sneakers are more than just footwear. The choice within the thousands of styles currently available are ultimately a way to self-express while still feeling comfortable. Even luxury brands have offered various takes on the innately casual shoe, and sneakers have been seen on Haute Couture runways. 

Sneakers trace back to the 18th century, when people wore rubber-soled shoes that did not even have a difference between right and left. In the late 1830s, a man named Charles Goodyear transcended the shoes into a style similar to that of what we wear today. The first important sneakers to note were born in 1917, and are still popular today. The Converse shoe was initially designed for basketball players, but this only gave them more of an edge. People who were not athletes wanted to resemble their icons, and one of the easiest ways to do this was through sneakers. Thus, the sneaker became widely popular amongst the general public and was particularly popular amongst young people who desired comfort paired simultaneously with style. 

Through the 20th century, the sneaker embedded itself into popular culture. Huge celebrities, such as Elvis Presley and James Dean, began to wear sneakers, which only surged their popularity, as well as additional popularity in the public. Sneakers were seen as a sense of rebellion, of youth. Sneakers were the ability to showcase one’s uniqueness and identity, while also emphasizing their connection to athletes and celebrities. 

In all, the sneaker is not only the best shoe to wear on a run. The sneaker represents history, individuality, and culture on a global scale. They know no season, and they know no class. Sneakers have been, currently are, and always will be a staple of fashion. 

On a personal note, I love sneakers. I have transitioned from the white Nike Air Force One, to forest green Converse, to my New Balance sneakers today. I adore their comfort, their ease, and their worldwide popularity. I know that, no matter where I am, I will be fashionably accepted if I am wearing a sneaker.