Running or sports shoes have become a cultural phenomenon in recent years, with their popularity transcending their original purpose as functional athletic shoes. From their influence on hip-hop culture to their role in high fashion, they have significantly impacted popular culture. And you can get sports shoes like Jordan high tops from online stores. But how have they made a cultural impact? To know more, keep reading this article.
Hip-Hop Culture
Hip-hop culture and running shoes have been closely intertwined since the genre’s early days. In the 1980s, rappers like Run-DMC and LL Cool J popularised them as a symbol of hip-hop style. Over the years, they have remained a staple in hip-hop culture. They have become a symbol of the genre and are often worn as a way to show loyalty to the hip-hop lifestyle.
Sports shoes have become an essential part of hip-hop style, with many artists incorporating them into their fashion choices. They are often worn with baggy pants, joggers, and oversized t-shirts or hoodies. The look is completed with a cap or beanie, creating a casual yet stylish outfit. In recent years, they have become a symbol of a street style worn by both men and women to signal their love for urban culture.
Skateboarding Culture
Skateboarding culture and running shoes have been closely linked since the 1970s. Skaters have always needed those that provide grip and support, making them a natural choice. Many brands have collaborated with skaters to release limited-edition sneakers, which have become highly sought after by collectors.
Skateboarders have also incorporated them into their fashion choices, often wearing them with baggy jeans and t-shirts. The shoes have become a symbol of skate culture, with skaters using them to express their style.
Streetwear Culture
In recent years, streetwear culture and sports shoes have also been closely linked. Streetwear brands have embraced the sneaker trend, released their own versions and collaborated with brands to create limited-edition sneakers.
They have become a symbol of street style, with many people wearing them as a way to signal their love for urban culture. The shoes’ popularity grew in the early 2010s as fashion brands began incorporating them into their collections.
Fitness Culture
Running shoes have always been associated with fitness; in recent years, they have become a symbol of the fitness culture. The rise of influencers on social media has increased their popularity, with many people wearing them to the gym or on their daily runs.
They have also become a fashion statement in the fitness world, with brands releasing limited-edition sneakers designed specifically for fitness enthusiasts. They have become a symbol of the intersection of fashion and fitness, with some of the most highly coveted sneakers worn by fitness influencers and enthusiasts.
Fashion Culture
Running shoes have also significantly impacted fashion culture. For instance, high-end designers like Alexander McQueen and Riccardo Tisci have even collaborated with shoes such as the Jordan high tops to create luxury versions of the sneakers.
In recent years, they have been seen on the runway, blurring the lines between streetwear and high fashion. Designers like Virgil Abloh and Alessandro Michele have incorporated sneakers into their fashion shows, further solidifying their place in the fashion world.
Conclusion
Running shoes like Jordan high tops have had a significant cultural impact over the past few decades. From their origins as functional athletic shoes to their status as fashion icons, these sneakers have influenced everything from hip-hop to high fashion and have become a symbol of style and coolness. They have played a huge role in shaping popular culture and have been embraced by different social and political movements.