Casual Footwear Trends to Watch
The global footwear market is projected to reach a record high of $472.59bn by 2028 (Statista, 2023), and popular styles lean more casual than ever. But in such a crowded, varied and quickly shifting market, what are consumers actually looking for? From an emphasis on comfort and nostalgia to evolving post-sneakerhead opportunities, we highlight the key trends driving footwear, with relevance for all age demographics.
Comfort-Led Priorities
Post-Sneakerhead Opportunities
The Novelty Factor
Dress codes everywhere – from corporate offices to formal events – have continued to get more casual since the pandemic lockdowns, meaning consumers are increasingly seeking comfort-focused footwear that merges form and function. The result is a renewed interest in classic, practical silhouettes and heritage brands, but it’s given sartorial intrigue via luxe collaborations.
Dress codes everywhere – from corporate offices to formal events – have continued to get more casual since the pandemic lockdowns, meaning consumers are increasingly seeking comfort-focused footwear that merges form and function. The result is a renewed interest in classic, practical silhouettes and heritage brands, but it’s given sartorial intrigue via luxe collaborations.
Summary
Comfort-Led Priorities | Dress codes everywhere – from corporate offices to formal events – have continued to get more casual since the pandemic lockdowns, meaning consumers are increasingly seeking comfort-focused footwear that merges form and function. The result is a renewed interest in classic, practical silhouettes and heritage brands, but it’s given sartorial intrigue via luxe collaborations. |
Post-Sneakerhead Opportunities | While the sneaker market is no longer the hype-driven Goliath it used to be, sports aesthetics are more popular and wide-ranging than ever. So what are the fresh updates? A mashed-up sensibility and focus on feminine flourishes are some of the exciting commercial evolutions. Elsewhere, stripped-back, gorpcore-esque pragmatism infiltrates the everyday. |
The Novelty Factor | Comfort is king in casual footwear, but it doesn’t have to come at the cost of novelty and creativity. Brands and consumers alike continue to favour “ugly” footwear – often by way of kitschy cross-industry collaborations or a celebration of old-fashioned aesthetics – while also dabbling in nostalgia and customisation. |
Casual Footwear Trends to Watch
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Offering access to over 350 consumer and cross-industry reports annually, Stylus Membership is your window to tomorrow’s most exciting opportunities.
We already arm more than 500 of the world’s most forward-thinking brands and agencies with the creative insights they need to make transformative business decisions.
We’d love to do the same for you.
Book a demo with us today to discover more.
