# Kiltie Grayscale Suede Sneakers New Balance Adds an Additional Fringe Detail to the 996 Shoe By Amy Duong | Published 2022-03-29 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/996-shoe References: [hypebeast](https://hypebeast.com/2022/3/new-balance-996-wl996ab2-gray-suede-kilties-tongue-fringe-atmos-tokyo-release-information) & [launch.atmos-tokyo](https://launch.atmos-tokyo.com/jp/ja/t/8387530) [New Balance](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nimbus-cloud-colorway) introduces a special version of the 996 shoe silhouette, which made its original debut back in 1988 and has seen new updates since. This time around, the iconic silhouette gets a vintage update with [gray suede](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grey-days-colorway) making up most of the upper paired with traditional design accents. The 996 shoe is paired with a kiltie on top, which is a fringed covering that attaches to the laces and hands from the top section of the tongue area, which is a detail that is most notably seen on formal footwear. Additionally, there are also traditional touches of perforated details at the heel stripes and toe box to nod to old-school brogues for a [retro feel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vintage-indigo). Image Credit: atmos Tokyo ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.6/10 - Popularity: 2% | Activity: 6% | Freshness: 11% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Vintage Sneaker Style:** New Balance's update of the 996 shoe with vintage details offers opportunities for brands to incorporate classic elements into their sneaker designs. - **Fringe Accents:** The addition of a kiltie fringe detail to the 996 shoe presents potential for fringe to become a popular embellishment in the footwear industry. - **Mixing Formal and Casual Styles:** The use of a kiltie fringe detail on a traditionally casual sneaker offers potential for brands to experiment with combining formal and casual elements in their designs. ### Who This Affects Most - **Footwear:** New Balance's release of the 996 shoe with unique vintage and fringe details creates opportunities for brands in the footwear industry to incorporate similar design elements. - **Fashion:** The trend toward incorporating vintage and classic design elements into modern fashion presents opportunities for brands to create clothing and accessories that appeal to consumers interested in nostalgia. - **Retail:** Retailers who carry sneakers and footwear can benefit from stocking products that incorporate unique and trendy details like the kiltie fringe on the New Balance 996 shoe. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Muted Monochromatic Lifestyle Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-and-grey-colorway.md) - [Minimal Monochromatic Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nimbus-cloud-colorway.md) - [Metallic-Tinged Mesh Loafers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/1906l-2.md) - [Premium Stealthy Textural Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-suede.md) - [Retro Vibrant Detailed Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-balance-1000-2.md) - [Deconstructed Paneling LIfestyle Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/1906-sneaker-2.md) - [Metallic-Tinged Collaborative Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/1906r-sneaker-4.md) - [Silver-Accented Mesh Formal Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/silver-metallic-colorway.md) - [Navy Tonal Lifestyle Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/990v6-1.md)