Last spring, dressier styles like Mary Janes and ballet flats flew off the shelves. This — coupled with the fact that Gen Z is finally entering more traditional office environments and coping with “corporate-core” dress codes — has prompted many to wonder if the reign of the sneaker is finally nearing its end.
Enter the sneaker hybrid, a not-so-new concept that has exploded in popularity in recent months. Look at the Dr. Martens Elphie Ballet Flat, Ugg Bea Mary Jane, and Puma Speedcat Ballerina. And the trend is not siloed to womenswear. Men’s dress brands have long been putting dress shoes on a sneaker bottom, but recent introductions have put a dress spin on classic sneakers, like the New Balance 1906I Loafer and the Puma Paloma loafer.
“Many people said sneakers are trending down, however the sneaker will never trend down, it will evolve,” says Marty Rose, distribution for All Black Footwear. “As long as the sneaker is designed to match the fashion trends of the times, it will be a key item in every wardrobe. The challenge for fashion brands is to be the first to identify the next trend for fashion sneakers. ” All Black’s answer to this call is Prima, a style that combines a ballerina upper and a sneaker bottom and is currently selling strong on Anthropoligie’s website.
Ecco is also doubling down on its viral Biom C-Trail Ghillie, a favorite of celebs like Chloë Sevigny. The style will be released in new colorways for SS25, and the brand continues to drop new limited-edition variations in its hybrid collab line with Natacha Ramsay-Levi.
The hybrid category offers an elevation of sneakers as well as a more causal answer to corporate dressing. “I see the younger generation starting to look for new ways to modernize their looks and not feel so casual all the time. And I see older generations incorporating more active pieces into their wardrobes out of necessity,” adds Brittanie Armstrong, Director of Marketing for Seychelles Footwear, which offers an array of sneaker hybrids. “What we bring to the table is an alternative option — something that is more active than a flat and more streamlined than a trainer.”
