Latest news with #All-StarCoinloafer
Fashion Network
01-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
From loafers to sneakers: why snoafers are dominating 2025 footwear trends
In a $457 billion (£333.6 billion) global footwear market loaded with sneakers, 'customers are looking for something different,' said Drew Haines, senior marketplace director at resale marketplace StockX, which has seen an influx of shoppers vying for the latest snoafers. Sneaker enthusiasts appear more receptive to unconventional silhouettes being developed by a wider array of brands, he said—an encouraging sign for footwear designers eager to experiment and differentiate themselves in an increasingly saturated market. When trends in fashion arise, they often have short lifespans—something amplified by a social media-driven culture—forcing companies to continuously innovate to stay relevant. 'I do think brands are going to start to take some of these risks… to produce and release products that are outside of the traditional scope,' Haines said. 'Whenever they do that, it seems to really resonate.' New Balance began selling its snoafer, the 1906L, in September and is credited with popularising the silhouette. 'We've been blown away by how the 1906L has been embraced—not just by sneaker fans, but by a broader audience,' said Charlotte Lee, a New Balance design manager. 'It's opened up a new design space for us, and we're definitely planning to explore that further.' That includes new colours and materials expected to be released soon. New Balance did not provide sales figures, but the shoes quickly sold out online in the US, and Lee said demand has remained strong beyond the initial drop. 'We wanted to challenge the perception of loafers,' she said. By fusing the performance of a sneaker with the 'dressier' look of formal footwear, the 1906L is 'a product that fits how people actually live and move.' Hoka, known for its running shoes, is currently sold out of its all-gender Speed Loafer, which retails for $185 (£135.05). Puma debuted its Sophyr loafer last year and is still sold out in multiple sizes. Nike-owned Converse is also getting in the game, unveiling its All-Star Coinloafer in the US in June. According to Women's Wear Daily, different shoe variations have been offered in Japan as early as 2022. The hype hasn't let up: online searches for New Balance's 1906L have increased 3,700% on StockX since last year's first quarter—months before its release. Kelly Baartman, 27, bought a pair of Rich Oak 1906Ls from Archive, a shoe store, in June and said she loves their hybrid versatility. 'I love wearing a sneaker and I love wearing a loafer,' said the content creator from South Africa. 'To see that concept come together, just based on my personal style, I was like, 'Oh, this is literally perfect.'' Angel Edme, a content creator from Brooklyn, said she enjoys it when brands take creative risks. 'It was something different,' she said of her 1906Ls, which she wears to run errands and attend creator events. 'It felt fresh and playful—something I could experiment with and style in new ways.' Even big apparel companies are taking note. 'The loafer is 100% making a comeback in every single form,' said Mark Breitbard, president and chief executive officer of the Gap brand, in an interview with Bloomberg. He said Gap takes into account what shoe styles are trending when the company designs its jeans, to ensure its clothes complement what shoppers are wearing on their feet. (Exchange rate: $1 = £0.73)
Fashion Network
01-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
From loafers to sneakers: why snoafers are dominating 2025 footwear trends
In a $457 billion global footwear market loaded with sneakers, 'customers are looking for something different,' said Drew Haines, senior marketplace director at resale marketplace StockX, which has seen an influx of shoppers vying for the latest snoafers. Sneaker enthusiasts appear more receptive to unconventional silhouettes being developed by a wider array of brands, he said—an encouraging sign for footwear designers eager to experiment and differentiate themselves in an increasingly saturated market. When trends in fashion arise, they often have short lifespans—something amplified by a social media-driven culture—forcing companies to continuously innovate to stay relevant. 'I do think brands are going to start to take some of these risks… to produce and release products that are outside of the traditional scope,' Haines said. 'Whenever they do that, it seems to really resonate.' New Balance began selling its snoafer, the 1906L, in September and is credited with popularizing the silhouette. 'We've been blown away by how the 1906L has been embraced—not just by sneaker fans, but by a broader audience,' said Charlotte Lee, a New Balance design manager. 'It's opened up a new design space for us, and we're definitely planning to explore that further.' That includes new colors and materials expected to be released soon. New Balance did not provide sales figures, but the shoes quickly sold out online in the U.S., and Lee said demand has remained strong beyond the initial drop. 'We wanted to challenge the perception of loafers,' she said. By fusing the performance of a sneaker with the 'dressier' look of formal footwear, the 1906L is 'a product that fits how people actually live and move.' Hoka, known for its running shoes, is currently sold out of its all-gender Speed Loafer, which retails for $185. Puma debuted its Sophyr loafer last year and is still sold out in multiple sizes. Nike-owned Converse is also getting in the game, unveiling its All-Star Coinloafer in the U.S. in June. Different shoe variations have been offered in Japan as early as 2022, according to Women's Wear Daily. The hype hasn't let up: Online searches for New Balance's 1906L have increased 3,700% on StockX since last year's first quarter—months before its release. Kelly Baartman, 27, bought a pair of Rich Oak 1906Ls from a shoe store called Archive in June and said she loves the hybrid versatility of the shoes. 'I love wearing a sneaker and I love wearing a loafer,' said the content creator from South Africa. 'To see that concept come together, just based on my personal style, I was like, 'Oh, this is literally perfect.'' Angel Edme, a content creator from Brooklyn, said she enjoys it when brands take creative risks. 'It was something different,' she said of her 1906Ls, which she wears to run errands and attend creator events. 'It felt fresh and playful—something I could experiment with and style in new ways.' Even big apparel companies are taking note. 'The loafer is 100% making a comeback in every single form,' said Mark Breitbard, president and chief executive officer of the Gap brand, in an interview with Bloomberg. He said Gap takes into account what shoe styles are trending when the company designs its jeans, to ensure its clothes complement what shoppers are wearing on their feet.
Business Insider
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Sneaker loafers, a hot new shoe trend, toe the line between fashionable and geriatric
The newest sneaker trend is a lovechild of a chunky sneaker and a corporate loafer. The result is a sleek and comfortable — if geriatric-looking — shoe. The biggest names in the sneaker world, like Nike, New Balance, and Converse, have released or are set to release loafer-sneaker hybrids this year. The creative director of Atmos, a Japanese sneaker retailer, posted a picture of the new Nike Air Max Phenomena on Instagram on Monday, saying it is set to be released soon. The bottom half of the black shoe looks fits right into the Nike Air Max family with its chunky sole and air units. The top half, a loafer silhouette which sports a subtle silver Nike logo, looks like it would belong an office. The new shoe design comes at a crucial point for Nike, which has been criticized for leaning too heavily on its retro styles and not innovating. Nike's competitors got to the laceless snoafer trend before the shoe giant did. On June 10, Converse released its All-Star Coinloafer, a slightly less chunky loafer-sneaker with a white top and black sole. The shoe brand has dabbled with loafer-adjacent designs since the start of the year. On Monday, New Balance announced two new colors for its New Balance 1906L Loafer model — "Black/Royal Blue" and "Metallic Pink." Other colors of the model were released earlier this year. The New Balance loafers look more like quintessential sports shoes than the Nike or Converse models, with only their shorter tongue and lack of shoelaces pointing to their loafer roots. Representatives for Nike, Converse, and New Balance did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider. Other brands that have hopped on the trend this year include Hoka, Ugg, and Puma. A comfortable corporate shoe Carol Davidson, a New York-based image consultant, said the loafer-sneaker trend could be partially attributed to workers heading back to the office. "With more people returning to the office, a more streamlined loafer sneaker will have an appeal, as it feels more elevated than just a sneaker," she said. Davidson said she could see it becoming a summer trend, as fashion leans "toward more polished clothing and footwear" in the fall. She said the loafer sneakers would work nicely with a casual summer shirtdress or wide-leg trousers. Edith Chan, a Madrid-based stylist and image consultant, said snoafers are versatile and easy to wear for errands and casual work environments. "For office professionals, creatives, or those who love the effortless chic vibe, these shoes are perfect," Chan said. Teng Chan Leong, the CEO of Malaysia-based marketing consultancy Skribble, said the snoafer fits Gen Z's preference for oversized tops and bottoms. His company has worked with brands like Adidas. "The sneaker-loafer trend seems to be the industry's response to marry functionality and form, especially for today's consumer who is seeking for something that stands out, fashionable, and yet highly comfortable," Teng said. He also said "feminine sneaker-loafer hybrids" point to a "rise in interest of women in the sneaker culture." The shoe trend follows another hybrid trend this year — ballerina sneakers. This trend meshed the design of ultra-feminine ballet flats into the body of a sneaker.
Hypebeast
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Converse Unveils the Sleek, Casual Cool All-Star Coinloafer
Name:Converse All-Star CoinloaferColorway:Black/White, BlackSKU:31315090, 31315091Retail Price:$150 USDRelease Date:June 10, 2025Where to Buy:Nike Converse is blending classic elegance with its signature casual cool with the release of the new All-Star Coinloafer. This innovative silhouette transforms the iconic Chuck Taylor DNA into a sophisticated, yet still unmistakably Converse, loafer hybrid, set to launch this week. The All-Star Coinloafer takes inspiration from traditional penny loafers, featuring a sleek, laceless design with a slip-on entry. However, it cleverly integrates Converse's heritage elements. Expect a durable canvas upper, reminiscent of classic Chucks, but now shaped into a refined loafer silhouette. The signature rubber toe cap and diamond-patterned outsole are subtly integrated, providing a familiar nod to its athletic roots while ensuring comfort and grip. The name 'Coinloafer' suggests a nod to the classic penny loafer's slot. The design offers a clean, versatile aesthetic, perfect for dressing up or down. It will likely come in classic Converse colorways, such as black and white, making it an easy addition to any wardrobe. This model caters to those seeking a more polished yet still comfortable footwear option, seamlessly transitioning from casual outings to more refined occasions.
