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Sneaking around

Colorful sneakers a fashion staple this school year.

By Elizabeth Sharp

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

A few weeks ago, while promoting his new movie Step Brothers, actor John C. Reilly arrived on the set of a popular night show in a sport coat, button-down shirt, jeans ... and a fresh pair of sneakers.

While some people might scoff at the idea of pairing Nike Dunks with a suit or matching Converse Chucks with a tux, self-proclaimed sneaker freak Corey Bacon of Little Rock thinks it’s a stroke of genius.

“I love that the fashion market is mixing,” Bacon said. “In no way does a pair of sneakers detract from a tux. That looks sweet.”

And Bacon, owner of sneaker boutique Rock City Kicks in Little Rock, isn’t alone. Whether you’re a Hollywood celebrity or an everyman, the sneaker has passed from casual staple to high style must-have in recent years. And this fall, designer sneakers are providing a million ways to mix style with the classic comfort of sneakers.

But how has the humble sneaker managed to finagle its way into black-tie events and onto the red carpet? Bacon attributes the change to the emergence of hip-hop culture in the ’90s, a movement whose aesthetic has only gotten a stronger mainstream following in recent years thanks to sport coat-and-sneaker combos worn by the likes of Kanye West and Justin Timberlake.

Tonya Lewis, a sales associate at Solemates in Little Rock, said she believes the line between casual and formal has blurred because Americans are placing a greater importance on comfort.

“People wear casual clothes almost every day, so when they dress up, they still want to be comfortable,” Lewis said.

And women’s sneakers haven’t been immune to the trend. This season, Lewis said sneakers are getting a feminine flair, too: Laces replaced with zippers, metallic finishes, patterns and bright colors have all been spotted in fall styles.

Josh Davis, co-owner of Evolve in Little Rock, said that one of the season’s most prominent trends is a return to vintage favorites, from ’70s-inspired track shoes to pristine Nike Air Force Ones.

“I think fashion in general always revolves and comes back around,” Davis said. “If something’s real popular and goes out, it’s just a matter of time before it come back again.”