Category
Fashion
Scaled Restraint
Trend cluster
Category
Threadbare
Rebellion
Self-aware designers spurn luxury norms with pre-distressed sneakers.
4.8
Trend score
Trend
What is the Threadbare Rebellion trend?
Threadbare Rebellion: In a memorable subversion of contemporary symbols of wealth and status, cult designers are increasingly creating pre-soiled sneakers that highlight the prevailing interest in reworking and embracing low-cost staples. In actively rejecting a steadfast sentiment associated with luxury fashion and sneaker culture in general, this progression speaks to the industry's insistence on appropriating even the most mundane elements of everyday fashion and the quiet pursuit of youthful rebellion that informs it.
Trend themes
Themes within the Threadbare Rebellion trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Pre-Soiled Sneakers
Designers are creating pre-soiled sneakers that challenge contemporary symbols of wealth and status, emphasizing the industry's insistence on appropriating mundane elements of everyday fashion.
02
Distressed Luxury
Luxury brands are embracing distressed looks to offer unique designs that fulfill demand for more relaxed, carefree aesthetics and are proving successful amongst consumer bases.
03
Chunky Sneaker Revival
Designers continue to reinvent and boldly update the classic chunky sneaker silhouette, proving to be a highly anticipated release amongst fashion followers and sneaker-head enthusiasts.
Industry implications
What the Threadbare Rebellion trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Fashion and Luxury Brands
Incorporating pre-soiled and distressed looks into designer wear have the potential to provide more relaxed and customizable aesthetics, and differentiate luxury brands amongst increasingly casualised couture
For
Sneaker Brands and Manufacture
Redesigning iconic sneaker styles with creative twists, pre-soiling, and customization allows fashion brands to capture a sneaker market where basic, plain white gym shoes have become standard.
For
Sustainability
The rise of pre-soiled sneakers could serve as an opportunity for eco-friendly brands to provide consumers with an alternative to fast-fashion products that cause ecological impact.
Workshop question
What elements of your product design can be reimagined to reflect an innocent desire for youthful rebellion?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Threadbare Rebellion
Trend score 4.8 out of 10, from popularity 63%, activity 73%, freshness 8%.
Popularity63%
Activity73%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the Threadbare Rebellion trend
5 featured examples from Oct 17, 2016 to Feb 14, 2018CategoryFashion
Shredded Couture Sneakers
The Maison Margiela Future High-Top was Destroyed for Spring/Summer 2017
High-end fashion designers and alternative fashion brands are capitalizing on the trend of deconstructing and destroying conventional clothes and accessories.
CategoryFashion
Distressed Designer Sneakers
These New Golden Goose Sneakers Feature Glitter and Unique Graphics
Luxury footwear brands can explore limited edition releases and collaborate with different industries to create exclusive and sought-after collections.
CategoryFashion
Updated Chunky Sneakers
Balenciaga's Triple-S is Arriving in Six New Colorways
The release of Balenciaga's Triple-S in six new colorways creates an opportunity for shoe designers to offer an updated range of colorful sneakers.
CategoryFashion
Ironically Worn-Out Sneakers
These Reebok and Vetements Sneakers Were Made to Look Old and Used
Incorporating pre-distressed and anti-perfectionism concepts into mainstream clothing and accessories for broader consumer appeal.
CategoryFashion
Distressed Tropical Sneakers
The New Golden Goose Sneakers Feature Palm Trees and Torn Edges
The fashion industry can explore incorporating distressed and rugged elements to create unique and on-trend designs for footwear and apparel.
