Fall 2024 Footwear Trends for Gen Z: The Appeal of Hybrid, Hyper-Feminine Sneakers Taking Over Runways and Red Carpets

Kiko Kostadinov’s Lella hybrid sneaker explores designers’ fascination with the dichotomy between femininity and functionality, while the New Balance 1906 Loafer acts as an olive branch to both believers and agnostics of business casual style. According to The Cut, designer Simone Rocha was one of the first to create a hybrid sneaker in September 2020; since then, the sneaker she refers to as a “ballet tracker” has gone on to have 10 different versions, spanning traditional flats, chunky platforms, varied fabrics, hardware, and straps. A prime example of the designer’s prowess in this realm can be seen in the Crystal Buckle Tracker Ballerina: a pair of satin flats with a bow at the front for the quintessential grunge-flirty fashion girl. “It’s a collision and a contrast,” Simone said of the designs. “A clash of the ballerina with a more ergonomic, technical shoe.”

Gen Z’s growing love for hybrid silhouettes is inexplicably driven by a shift towards sustainable, comfort-focused footwear – a trend that mirrors the popularity of current fashion trends like cropped trousers, oversized pants, and the eccentric grandpa aesthetic. The goal is to have a few pairs of shoes that serve as many purposes as possible. This is part of the appeal that allows the classic sneaker to transform into a more versatile option, suitable for both casual and formal wear – like the Miu Miu x New Balance 930 Mules collaboration or the PUMA x PALOMO Spain loafer.

But the trend of sneakers becoming the new heels also stems from the growing involvement of female designers in sportswear. Of a realm once dominated solely by men, Susan Boyle, who opened one of the first female-owned sneaker boutiques in New York City, told Elle: “It was a totally male club. Back then, when brands made sneakers for women, they just shrunk everything down and made it pink. Women just wanted what men had and vice versa. Now, it’s come full circle: girls have had all the high-tops and the boyish looks and the basketball shoes — they want something new.” It would be a stretch to say that the popularity of many of these hyper-feminine styles can be attributed to the “more than pink” feminine aspects of the shoes: pearls, bows and platforms.

Designer Cecilie Bahnsen agrees: “I’ve always been drawn to the juxtaposition of something hyper-feminine and more technical, sporty elements.” Her footwear incorporates delicate accessories into brutalist footwear. The Orlan is an open, slip-on sneaker with a simple silver bow, while the Valerias is a chunky strappy sandal paired with linen bows.

But while this trend may seem novel, it actually has its roots in the Y2K era, with more party-focused designs. It’s no exaggeration to say that sneakers have always reflected the spirit of their times. Take the Onitsuka Tiger “Ensemble 59” ballet flats, delicate lingerie-inspired sneakers perfect for petite party girls, or any of the hundreds of designs from the Puma archives, which remain some of the most impressive combinations of sneakers and other silhouettes we’ve ever seen.

Speaking about Puma’s collection, Afterglow curator Chahrazed Chebel told Hypebae: “They basically gave designers complete creative freedom. Designers from Germany, Japan, the US and elsewhere were inspired by their surroundings, so their designs had a very experimental feel. We discovered a lot of models we’d never heard of, some of which only appeared in one collection and never came back. It was such a revolutionary moment for the brand that not many people know about.”

The juxtaposed appeal of hybrid sneakers is aimed at the modern woman. Quirky, comfortable and interesting enough for trendsetting fans who might ask you where you got your whole outfit on the street, this is the style of the decade and there’s no turning back.