This Divisive 2010s Shoe Is Making a Comeback This Fall

The ugly shoe is nothing new. We’ve seen it all: Cartoonishly chunky dad sneakers, PVC-chic jelly sandals, heeled Crocs, and sporty ballet flat-sneaker hybrids. The ugly shoe doesn’t discriminate—there’s a pair for everyone.

The next ugly shoe about to make it big? The wedge sneaker. Yes, those ones with the velcro straps that every It Girl Seemed to be wearing circa 2012. It’s the perfect embodiment of the wrong shoe theory: pair some Isabel Marant Bekett sneakers with a pair of ripped micro shorts and a baby tee, and you’re basically a TikTok fashion micro influencer. Ahead, read on to find out more about the divisive shoe trend that’s giving us 2010s Tumblr nostalgia. 

The Trend

The golden days of Tumblr never left us. The “Indie sleaze” aesthtic is back in full force: Look to the resurgence of slept-in smoky eyes, grainy Instagram filters, and biker jackets for proof. If Kate Moss wore it to Glastonbury circa 2008, it’s probably trending again.

More recently, though, we’ve seen indie sleaze come back through the lens of the early 2010s, thanks to TikTok edits of Sky Ferreira set to tune of G-Eazy’s “Tumblr Girls” and the return of Kylie Jenner’s King Kylie era. Knee high socks, micro shorts, and studded accessories are having their moment in the spotlight. Inevitably, so are sneaker wedges. They’re the best of both worlds—practical and trendy, as fashion stylist Gia Knight tells Byrdie. “The 2010s revival is about wanting to be comfortable but still glamorous, wearing fits that work at the grocery store and the club.” 

A quick lesson in fashion history:  in 2011, Isabel Marant released the Bekett, a high-top sneaker with an exaggerated tongue, velcro straps, and a concealed three-inch wedge heel. They soon amassed a six month wait list and became the epitome of street style, with celebrities like Gisele Bündchen and Kim Kardashian spotted wearing the shoe. The final seal of celebrity approval? An appearance in Beyoncé’s “Love On Top” music video. 

13 years later, we’re witnessing the revival of the wedge sneaker. Berlin-based designer Ottolinger added a chunky twist to the sneaker wedge for their Fall 2024 show.

On TikTok, the Bekett sneaker has amassed a cult following, becoming an if-you-know-you-know status symbol on Fashion TikTok. “About to wear vintage Isabel Marant wedge sneakers to a social gathering where no one else works in fashion,” one TikToker posted. “Please keep me in your prayers.”

How to Wear It

Though wedge sneakers are famously associated with early 2010s fashion, that doesn’t mean you have to pair them with skinny jeans. Incorporating the sneaker wedge into modern outfits with trending elements is easier than one might think. Mixing in more feminine details like a pleated skirt or a ruffled mini dress can provide a refreshing contrast to the more masculine silhouette of the shoe. Throw on a sleek shoulder bag and you’re giving model off duty.

Alternatively, sneaker wedges give you the opportunity to play around with proportions: You can style the chunky sneakers with a baggy jean and a basic baby tee for a more tomboy-ish take on the trend.

If you’re digging the 2010s indie sleaze aesthetic, go all in with a pair of micro shorts and an off-the-shoulder top. And there’s no such thing as too many studs—whether they’re on a belt or on a pair of pants—so don’t be afraid to channel your inner Jenny Humphrey.