The Latest 2010 Fashion Trend To Make its Return? Wedge Sneakers
Love it or hate it, you’ll be seeing a lot more of this one in 2026.
It’s no secret that we are deep into a 2010s revival. Hobo bags, that Alexander McQueen skull scarf (recently worn in dress form by Alex Consani) and the Balenciaga City bag have all made a comeback in the last year or so, and there seem to be plenty more signifiers on the horizon. For those of us who still own certain ‘relics’ from the era, now might be the time to cash in on them, too. A quick scroll through Vinted or eBay, and you’ll see Ambercrombie & Fitch camisoles selling for over $100 with the tags ‘archival’ or ‘vintage‘ attached, listed for the eager Gen Alphas and younger Gen Zs among us.
Whether you’re ready for the revival or not, it’s time to buckle up that giant belt once more as the latest addition to the 2010s comeback canon has arrived: the wedge sneaker.
The blueprint, of course, was Isabel Marant‘s Bekett style. Released in 2011, the high-top sneaker featured two-tone suede panels, a hidden 5cm heel and just enough elevation to blur the line between sporty and dressy. A divisive shoe, it was worn by everyone from the Kar-Jenners to Beyoncé (memorably in her “Love On Top” music video), as well as Zendaya and Rihanna. Fast forward to now, and the silhouette is firmly back in rotation, championed by a new generation of cool-girls. Most recently, Beyoncé’s 13-year-old daughter Blue Ivy Carter was spotted courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game in a red and black pair, the actual vintage style previously worn by her mother.
The rise of the wedge sneaker is especially interesting when you consider its original context. At the time, flats were widely dismissed as a fashion faux pas, and sneakers had yet to earn their place in luxury wardrobes. The Bekett functioned as a gateway shoe, bridging comfort and height before “fashion sneakers” became the industry standard. Still, like most trends that become too popular, it eventually fell out of favor. Marant herself later referred to the shoe as “super vulgar.”
Yet fashion is nothing if not cyclical. The designer reissued the Bekett in 2021, and in 2025, the sneaker was named the eighth hottest product in a recent Lyst Index report. For some of us, we’ve just witnessed a full trend lifecycle. Feel old yet?
As expected, the original sparked countless imitations across the high street. Today, however, as resale culture and vintage shopping reach new heights, owning an authentic pair has become something of a badge of honor. But with OG Beketts commanding seriously high resale prices, brands are stepping in with updated takes and alternative options.
PUMA recently unveiled a wedged version of its Speedcat silhouette as part of the Speedcat Lux pack. Offered in light beige with dark brown accents, the motorsport-inspired classic is reworked with a hidden heel, high ankle and midfoot Velcro strap, transforming the low-profile sneaker into a chunky, nostalgia-loaded statement with modern-day edge.
For something more fashion-forward, Converse teamed up with Vaquera on the XXXHi Slouch Wedge. The collaboration merged the wedge sneaker with the slouchy boot trend, exaggerating the iconic Chuck Taylor proportions into something both familiar and unsettlingly new. As Vaquera co-founder Bryn Taubensee put it: “The effect is something familiar while at the same time unknown and exciting.”
Meanwhile, Berlin-based label Ottolinger sent wedge sneakers down the runway for its Fall/Winter 2024 show. Available now in black and olive green, the design features a suede finish, chunky sole and padded tongue, firmly placing the wedge sneaker back into high-fashion territory.
For those of us who were there the first time around, we wonder: has enough time passed for us to nostalgically return to these trends and recover from the skinny jeans paired with mini dresses and supersized belts era?
Whichever side you fall on, you can expect to see even more futuristic reinterpretations heading into 2026, with sleeker shapes and expanded colorways enticing a new generation of wearers. Whether it’s for the added height, the nostalgia-coded cool or undeniable It-girl appeal, the wedge sneaker has officially reclaimed its spot in the fashion cycle, for better or worse.
