The Most Popular Sneakers From Each Decade
From Keds to Yeezys, L'OFFICIEL takes a look back at the most popular sneakers through the decades.
Sneakers are an essential in every wardrobe. They're the perfect way to mix style and comfort. Once purely athletic, the humble sneaker has become the most popular choice in footwear. Sneakers have even become a cultural phenomenon with the rising popularity of sneaker collecting. Collectors, often called sneakerheads, line up to try to get the rarest or most valuable pairs on the market right now. But what were the most popular sneakers of the last seven decades? L'OFFICIEL has rounded them all up for you.
1950s
Keds have been around since 1916 but their popularity rose in the '50s after being seen on Hollywood legend and fashion icon Marilyn Monroe. Monroe wore the Keds Champion in the 1952 film Clash By Night.
1960s
In the 1960s, Converse released their classic Chuck Taylors in bright colors for the athletes that wanted to match their shoes to their team colors. The new ability to rep your team colors made Converse the most popular shoe of the '60s.
1970s
In the '70s, Nike released the first pair of Nike Cortex sneakers. Coincidentally, they were also one of the first styles from the brand to have the iconic swoosh logo. The sneaker was seen on athletes and celebrities alike, including Farrah Fawcett in the 1976 show Charlie's Angels.
1980s
In 1985, Nike released the Air Jordan sneaker as part of a deal with then-Chicago Bulls player Michael Jordan. In just two months, Nike sold $70 million worth of the sneakers, which skyrocketed even further after Jordan won Rookie of the Year that same year.
1990s
Nike continued their streak of having the most popular sneakers into the '90s with the release of the Air Max 90. While there are over 50 models of the shoe today, they're easily recognizable by the clear window allowing you to see the pressurized air in the heel.
2000s
With the rise of emo and scene culture, skater styles captivated the 2000s. The black and white checkered slip-on Vans became the most popular style.
2010s
When Kanye West released the Yeezy Boost sneaker with Adidas in 2015, they were an instant hit. By 2019, the shoes alone earned $1.3 billion in revenue.
