How Sneakers Got Glam

Times have changed since the Golden Age of Hollywood, when celebrities were expected to turn up to awards ceremonies in formal attire. While ceremonies like the Oscars maintain a white-tie dress code, many celebrities opt to flout convention in favor of more casual attire.

The origins of the trend for wearing sneakers as semi-formal attire are imprecise; many consider the trend to have started sometime in the 1990s. However, even in the 1980s stars like Cybil Shepherd (who had five pairs of the same shoe in different colors) were known to sport stylish sneakers on the red carpet.

Stars In Sneakers

Over the decades, more relaxed dress codes have seen celebrities sporting sneakers at red carpet events of varying designs and colors ranging from more minimal designs like the Jordan 4 Paris, to colorful custom kicks.

While it is not unusual to see stars wearing their sneakers with more casual ensembles, a popular way to wear them to events often involves contrasting their footwear with sharp tailored suits or formal evening gowns.

Influences 

There have been a few notable influences on this trend over the decades, such as David Tennant’s iconic baseball boots as the 10th Dr. Who, a look he has since reprised a number of times off-screen. 

Another well-known look was Lily Allen’s frothy prom dresses, which she wore with running shoes early in her career. Sneakers are known for adding a little subversive edge to more formal outfits, which is partly why the sneakers-and-dress trend works so well.

Girls Run The World

In recent years, the trend for eschewing towering heels in favor of more comfortable footwear has become a feminist statement. In bygone eras, the act of wearing sneakers to prestigious award shows might have been frowned upon, but not anymore. 

Some notable examples of this include Kelly Rowland, who wore a stunning  lavender tulle gown to the 2017 Oscars with a pair of  bubblegum pink hi-tops, and Sally Field, who contrasted the boldness of her bright red gown with a pair of understated gray running shoes.

A Fashion Evolution

Whether or not Fields’ choice was an homage to her onscreen son Forrest Gump (a character well-known for his love of sneakers) remains unclear, but in 2017 Seth Rogen appeared on stage alongside Michael  J. Fox for the 89th Academy awards sporting the same sneakers worn by Fox in the 1985 movie Back to the Future.

Besides classic kicks, the evolution of sneakers overall has had a major influence on celebrity style and the fashion world as a whole. Since the mid-80s,  fashion houses began to realize the style potential of sneakers outside of sporting activities, elevating their status and making them more wearable for red carpet events.

Styling Sneakers 

For those who want to emulate this look, there are a few key pointers: the first is to make sure that your shoe of choice is clean and fresh-looking (that pair of scuffed running shoes you wear to the gym simply won’t do). 

Another is to pay attention to hemlines:  in particular midi skirts with hi-tops can create a somewhat shortening effect to the leg. As for color, white tennis shoes are a great all-rounder and a good place to start, but don’t be afraid to have fun with color – whether matching, contrasted or intentionally clashing.

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