The world of fashion is a difficult one to keep up with. This sentiment rings especially true for statement sneakers, which as our “What is Athleisure?” piece alluded to are becoming more and more a part of modern-day fashion. With each passing year, there are new rends dictating what’s popular in a “sneakerhead” community that’s always up to date. Past (and in some cases perpetual) trends have included everything from custom-designed Chuck Taylors, to chunky skateboarding shoes. Who knows what it might be next?
Given all of this, staying up to date on the latest sneaker trends can be difficult. Trends can emerge gradually or pop out of nowhere, and when hot new sneakers do launch, it can also be incredibly difficult to find them. Kanye West’s Yeezy collaboration with adidas regularly sells out, for instance, and new Jordans can disappear from stores literally minutes after opening.
If you’re looking to get your hands on some stylish statement sneakers ahead of the crowd though, we do have a few tips that might help.
YouTube & Social Media
YouTube is filled with sneaker enthusiasts, many of whom have insider connections to the industry. Thus, if you want to get ahead of the curve and learn about upcoming trends, you’d do well to start getting involved with the sneaker community on the platform, where you’ll find news updates, unboxing videos, reviews, and more. There are also numerous figures on the scene that you can follow on other social media channels. The key here is to find and follow the people who are going to give you the scoops ahead of major news sites. Who you follow and interact with will depend on the specific type of sneakers you are after, too, but generally speaking this is a great way to immerse yourself in the community.
Stay Up to Date on Your Niche
Whether you are into sports, video games or music, staying up to date on the latest developments in your niche will keep you ahead of the crowd. There are unique sneaker lines being announced all the time. For instance, Adidas and Square Enix recently announced a Guardians Of The Galaxy line of sneakers. Depending on your hobby or interest, try and follow outlets and websites that are more likely to cover such announcements.
Follow Dedicated Sneaker Communities
While it’s true that you can follow a lot of independent sneaker influencers on YouTube and other social platforms, it’s also important to note that there are now whole social sneaker communities to latch onto as well. These types of communities are becoming more popular, and as one of the groundbreaking names in the space, SoleSavy sums up the concept well. They suggest that an online sneakerhead community can help you to “stay ahead of the curve” through simplification of the “barrage of sneaker info.” The platform identifies clear release dates (with incredibly efficiency) and occasionally points members toward exclusive options and/or unusual resale or exchange opportunities.
Watch the Runways
If you really want to get ahead of the curve, you need to start paying attention to the runways as well. Many fashion designers spearhead the upcoming trends by displaying their latest designs on catwalks across the world. Even the vaunted Paris Fashion Week produces new collections of high-end sneakers these days! This may not be where you find standard releases from the likes of Nike and Adidas, but each year lately some of the world’s biggest designers and most elite brands have displayed eye-catching (and trend-setting) sneakers on the runways.
Thanks for reading, and be sure to visit Cultfits again for more style and fashion tips soon!