High Heels Losing to Sneakers in Popularity

[Steve63130]

This article is from the Trade Journal Footwear News, and it's not good news for the industry, but it might be a buying opportunity for bargain hunters:

Steve

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https://footwearnews.com/2018/business/news/heels-sneakers-resale-data-thredup-1202573604/

• BUSINESS
•  
•  NEWS

JUN 13, 2018 2:44PM PT

Women Are Choosing Sneakers Over High Heels — And the Proof Is Mounting

By Hilary George-Parkin

Alfredo Martinez heels.

CREDIT: JASON JEAN

Spring cleaning is all about out with the old, in with the new, and for 2018, women seem to be in agreement: high heels are old and sneakers are new.

Resale site ThredUp analyzed data from December 2017 to May 2018, and found that the last three months in particular have seen a significant uptick in activity surrounding footwear sales. Since March, it’s seen a 38 percent increase in the number of heels sent in by sellers, with Kenneth Cole, Guess, and Jessica Simpson leading the pack among brands that experienced the highest “purge surge,” as the site calls the phenomenon.

Shoppers, meanwhile, are adding more sneakers to their carts. In the same period, sneaker sales soared 46 percent, the site found, with demand spread amongst a mix of both athletic and fashion-geared brands. (Here, Keds, Dr. Scholl’s, and Asics came up on top in terms of growth.) The trend toward tossing one’s stilettos — or rather, shipping them off for someone else to wear — is evident in the site’s overall inventory, too: it currently has 11,862 pairs of heels for sale, compared to 3,184 pairs of sneakers.

This data backs up recent findings from market research firm NPD Group, which reported that sales of high heels fell 12 percent in 2017, at the same time that the women’s leisure sneaker category grew 37 percent to hit $2.3 billion.

The movement embracing comfort, it seems, is here to stay.

 

[Shyheels]

I’ve read similar articles. Bear in mind that fashions are like sine curves, forever oscillating. I doubt very much heels will go the way of ruffs and powdered wigs.

Edited June 15, 2018 by Shyheels

[Steve63130]

Well, it would be a good sine if you're right! HA HA HA!

Steve

[jetheelsfan]

Sad to think of a world without heels being seen - there have been fewer and fewer opportunities to see them being worn.  They used to be the staple of the female wardrobe only a short period of time ago.  Sneakers, athletic, flip-FLOPS, and UGGS  are just that...flops and uggs.

 

 

[nyenor]

I'm afraid sneakers (usually called 'trainers'' in this country), took over 'my' city many years ago. I rarely see a woman in heels, and those that do occasionally wear them seem limited to about 2". 

[HappyinHeels]

Whilst I don't debate the findings of this current trend I would remind everyone that the attraction of this site isn't about what is popular rather about what is unique and individual. The world has seen a trend toward casual wear although I think the trend has gone a bit far as I have seen people dressed way to casually in places like church and at weddings. Running errands in shorts and flip-flops is one thing but showing up in a house of worship or a wedding dressed that way is a sign common sense has been lost. It is quite possible though that any heel wearer, woman or man, may remind some of a time when more stylish footwear was common. Every trend, no matter how overwhelming it may seem, needs those who buck it. The world would not be the same without them HappyinHeels

[Pierre1961]

You are absolutely right. 

And that is ( one of) the reason why I try to wear the highest heels I can as often as possible. 

In addition of the pleasure of wearing high heel,the look it gives ,it is also my way to look different ,with the risk that goes with 

[Gudulitooo]

I think it is a good thing for women's health in general

[Shyheels]

26 minutes ago, Gudulitooo said:

I think it is a good thing for women's health in general

Wearing heels or not wearing heels? 

[Gudulitooo]

wearing comfortable shoes.

[HappyinHeels]

I don't doubt the revenue share of the latest generations. They are making their mark on the economy. I could probably take them even more seriously if they took the economy by storm from outside the cocoon of their parents' homes.   HappyinHeels

[nzfreestyler]

4 hours ago, kneehighs said:

I'm totally not a photoshop expert, but here's ONE rendering of a Mary Jane pump that would probably work well with the existing IRONY/Streetwear movement in fashion.

 

Well I'd wear these !

[SF]

My observations are anecdotal, but out west this summer it does seem that I have seen a lot more gals out in tennis or running shoes than ever before. And more guys in sandals. Many times couples will be out and the gal is wearing running shoes and the guy is wearing flip flops.  

As others have commented, styles tend to fluctuate, like the stock market.  

As for us, my wife and I are dedicated sandal wearers, it is summer after all!

Adios..   sf

 

[Shyheels]

The Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto has done some very interesting exhibitions on the rise of sneaker culture.

[Steve63130]

Shyheels,

Thanks for the warning. I'll be sure to avoid the museum!

Naw, just kidding. It's really an outstanding place, and anyone who visits Toronto should go there.

Steve

[Shyheels]

They have an exhibition on sneaker culture cleverly titled Tongue + Chic that will be opening in New York

[SF]

I liked it better when sandals were the go to shoe.....   I am sure that trend will return, just like paisley prints and bell bottom pants. Still have some of those from my “flashback” days....   ha ha ....

have fun...   sf

[vector]

Isn't fashion a 20 year cycle?  I remember some fairly outrageous platform shoes in the late 70's and 80's that came back around Y2K.  They'll be back.  Just a matter of time.  The higher heels never completely go away.  It just falls a little from grace.

[JeffB]

To add my two cents worth (adjusted for inflation), my uneducated guess would be that women value comfort over style when it comes to footwear these days. But yeah, fashion is indeed cyclical, so heels aren’t going away.

[Shyheels]

One certainly does see far, far fewer women wearing killer stilettos these days. I doubt very much if heels in general will vanish from the scene, they are iconic, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the killer stiletto has had its day. 

[Cali]

I attend the opening days activities for faculty this week and was surprise by how many heels I saw on the women faculty members. Only 1 or 2 higher than mine, but many more than I have seen in past years.  

Over all I see less and less high heels.