Great Moments in Sneaker History
Michael Jordan in his namesake sneakers. (Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Much like jeans, army jackets, and trench coats, sneakers started out occupying a very specific sartorial window and have since become part of common currency. Once reserved for tennis, croquet, and basketball, they’re now seen on couture runways, in boardrooms, and — thanks to Wendy Davis— even on the floor of the Texas State Senate. (When filibustering, arch support is key to endurance.)
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Athletes have served as namesakes for countless sneaker styles, many of which we still wear today — think Stan Smiths or Jordans. Sneakers have been a boon to commuting working women, lit up the feet of trendy ‘80s teens, and been transformed into pants, thanks to the genius that is Willow Smith. See below for some of our favorite sneaker moments in history — from sports to pop culture to politics.
Paul Newman’s Plimsolls (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Showing them how it’s done: The actor accessorized his preppy outfit with a pair of tennis shoes in 1965.
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Farrah Fawcett’s Nike Cortez Sneakers (Photo:ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images)
The Charlie’s Angels star skated into our hearts in the casual ‘70s style, which the company still makes today.
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Run-DMC’s Adidas Superstars (Photo:Oliver Morris/Getty Images)
The shoes even got their own Run-DMC ode, “My Adidas.”
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Missy Elliott’s Adidas Shell-Toes (Photo:SGranitz/Getty Images)
The original athleisure queen wore a bedazzled Adidas tracksuit and bright-white sneakers to the 2003 Grammys.
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Miranda Hobbs’s Commuter Sneakers (Photo:Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)
For Sex and the City 2 in 2009, the character worked the Working Girl commuter look.
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Wendy Davis’s Mizuno Wave Riders (Photo:Bob Daemmrich/Corbis)
The state senator wore the comfortable footwear for her legendary filibuster in 2013. Supporters quickly raced to review the pink sneakers on Amazon with plaudits like “Guaranteed to outrun patriarchy.” Davis later traded them in for Reed Krakoff heels in a Vogue spread.
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Sneakers on the Dior Spring 2014 Runway (Photo:Imaxtree.com)
Sneakers made a rare appearance at a couture show. The embellished styles became instant street-style favorites.
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Yeezy Boosts (Photo:Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)
When he launched his blockbuster shoe collaboration with Adidas late last year, Kanye West urged fans to exercise caution. “I’ve heard about people getting hurt for sneaker culture in the past. I just want everyone to be safe and be patient,” he told Ryan Seacrest. “Eventually everybody who wants to get Yeezys will get Yeezys.“
To see the rest of our favorite sneaker moments, head over to The Cut!
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