Ever since Nike birthed Flyknit’s into the world in 2013 we have been bombarded with a whole slew of shoe oddities that combine the comfort of a sock with a sporty rubber sole. Other sportswear brands took note of the Flyknit’s innovative construction and churned out their own versions (Yeezy‘s and NMD’s from Adidas). A big part of their appeal and popularity would be their ease of wear, you basically slip it on like you would with a sock. Duh. And if you think about it, they are kinda like baby booties, the knitted sort with an anti-slip sole.
The sock-shoe trend really only took off when it was appropriated by designer of the moment, Denma Gavasalia, creative director at Balenciaga and Vetements. The Speed Trainer which he created for Balenciaga was an immediate icon that till now sells out with ever seasonal drop. It’s minimalistic style and aerodynamic silhouette still resonates a year after it’s release as other designer brands churn out their own takes on the sock-shoe, from Valentino’s fringed version to Fendi’s heavy soled lace-up hybrid. Love it or hate it, the sock-shoe is another fine example of streetwear’s influence on high fashion.
