The Wedge Sneaker's Triumphant Return: Revisiting a Defining Trend of the 2010s

The wedge sneaker, an undeniable hallmark of 2010s street style, is staging a significant comeback in 2025. This once-polarizing footwear category is re-emerging, but with a noticeable evolution. Contemporary iterations feature sleeker silhouettes and more refined, sculptural detailing. This updated aesthetic was prominently displayed on major runways, notably during the Autumn 2025 presentations by fashion houses like Balmain and Dries Van Noten, signaling a serious revival.

This resurgence directly channels the iconic Isabel Marant Bekett models, which first captured the public's imagination around 2011. That original design set the blueprint for the hidden-heel trend that dominated casual footwear for several years. The current wave of wedge sneakers seems to be paying direct homage to that specific era of fashion history.

Major athletic brands are embracing the nostalgia. Puma, for instance, launched the Speedcat Wedge, a modern interpretation of the classic design. This release hit shelves on December 4, 2025, as part of the specialized Speedcat Lux Pack. This drop was accompanied by other refreshed silhouettes, such as the Speedcat Ballet, further cementing the industry's pivot back toward favored trends from the early 2010s.

The renewed popularity of the wedge sneaker is significantly amplified by high-profile endorsements from celebrity figures. In December 2025, Blue Ivy Carter was spotted wearing a pair of burgundy Isabel Marant Beketts. This choice served as a clear nod to her mother, Beyoncé, who famously sported the same style back in March 2013. Furthermore, North West was photographed wearing the Isabel Marant Balskee—a current relaunch of the Bekett—while visiting Rome in 2025. These high-visibility moments are undoubtedly fueling consumer interest in this specific type of elevated sneaker.

The industry's data reflects this growing momentum. Evidence of the style's relevance is clear in the Lyst Index for the first quarter of 2025, where the original Isabel Marant Bekett secured the eighth position. This ranking confirms that the demand for this specific, statement-making footwear is not just theoretical but measurable within the current market landscape.

The return of the wedge sneaker suggests a cyclical nature in fashion, where styles once considered passé are given a sophisticated second life. Designers are clearly taking cues from past successes, refining the proportions and materials to suit contemporary tastes while capitalizing on the inherent comfort and height the wedge offers. It seems the 2010s are officially back in rotation, at least from the ankle down.