A World of Sneakers
The era of sneakers
Sneakers , as we know them today, originated in the 1920s, when sneakers became a fashion accessory. However, the first sports shoes date back to the 19th century, when shoes with rubber soles were introduced for the practice of athletics.
Here are some curiosities about sneakers:
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The term " sneakers " derives from the English "to sneak". Sneakers were originally considered a type of silent shoe, suitable for those who wanted to move without making noise.
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The first mass-produced pair of sneakers was created in 1917, the "All Star" model. These sneakers became famous mainly due to the popularity of basketball.
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In the 1980s, sneakers became a symbol of hip hop culture and were worn by artists such as Run-DMC.
Here are some curiosities about the brands handled by Sabot Arezzo:
- Hogan is an Italian shoe brand that was founded in 1986. It stands out for its attention to detail and high-quality materials, and has collaborated with designers such as Karl Lagerfeld.
- Philippe Model is a French brand that was founded in 1981. Its sneakers are characterized by creative design and attention to detail, and have become a style icon.
- Premiata is an Italian brand that traces its origins to 1885. It stands out for its attention to high-quality materials and craftsmanship.
- Paul Smith is a British brand that was founded in 1970. Its sneakers are characterized by original designs and bright colors, and have become a style icon.
- Flower Mountain is an Italian brand that was founded in 2012. It stands out for its attention to sustainability and ecology, using eco-friendly materials and collaborating with local artisans.
- New Balance is an American brand that was founded in 1906. Its sneakers are characterized by a simple and functional design, and are highly appreciated for their comfort.
- Ash is an Italian brand that was founded in 2000. It stands out for its original and trendy design, and has collaborated with designers such as Patrick Cox and Jean-Pierre Braganza.
- DATE is an Italian brand that was founded in 2005. Its sneakers are characterized by innovative design and experimentation with new materials
Why has the sneaker become one of the everyday shoes par excellence?
With the new millennium, thanks to globalization, new fashions are spreading that overturn previous history and take on connotations never seen before.
The most important transformation in the interpretation of consumer tastes occurs with respect to the phenomenon of the sneaker which from a sneaker becomes the most requested accessory, considered among the coolest of our era. This change involves all generations.
The first sneakers were born around 1850 with the first rubber sole, today it is no longer considered a simple sneaker used for sports or a simple walk, but is considered a real fashion accessory to be worn even with elegant clothes, more sophisticated and also for work. This success can be attributed to the fact that sport has become part of the daily lifestyle of all individuals.
The increasingly strong customization of sneakers with diversified colors and components has also contributed to this evolution.
It is in recent years that the sneaker is no longer seen as a sports shoe, but has taken on a very relevant status thanks also to the push given by the luxury sector as the most prestigious brands have begun to include it in their collections.
The Lyst company, one of the largest research platforms in the fashion sector, has developed research on the "geography of fashion" to analyze consumer behaviour.
The study was carried out on a sample of more than two million fellow citizens based on their web searches via the Lyst website. The most searched for brands were divided by region and categorized by gender.
It emerged that the sneaker is the most sought after product by both men and women, surpassing bags which usually represented the most sought after accessory.
Our research relating to the change in consumer behavior in the footwear sector post-Covid 19
Among the various questions, we were asked what type of footwear is mainly purchased online: 101 out of 151 respondents prefer purchasing sneakers.
During the pandemic, the sectors most affected were those of classic shoes with a 30% decrease in quantity, while for sneakers the decrease was more limited and around 15%.
Traditionally elegant brands have had to adapt to the market and create more sneaker variations, to the detriment of more classic footwear. After sneakers, some interviewees said they buy pumps, sandals and amphibians.
A final aspect to note regarding the footwear sector is that, among the ten most searched products on the web in Italy during the year 2020, sneakers appear in second place . Also in the survey conducted by Sabot it can be seen that the type of footwear mainly purchased online, with 67% of responses, was sneakers, in the two-year period 2020-2022.
In conclusion, to give a final answer to the research question, it is clear that the pandemic has changed the purchasing behavior of consumers, who in some way found themselves forced to purchase online. It seems likely that such behaviors will persist even after the restrictions end, especially on the part of digital natives.