Isabel Marant’s trending hidden wedge sneakers add a new twist to the most American of footwear styles.

 “All the other kids with the pumped up kicks, you better run, better run, outrun my gun.” If “Pumped Up Kicks” became that song perpetually stuck in your head last year, prepare yourself. Because the about-to hit-the-masses-in-a-big-way sneaker wedge is sure to be accompanied by a glut of fashion stories invoking the lyrics of the Foster the People’s hit.

Adding some leg-lengthening glamor to a high top sneaker was the genius idea of designer Isabel Marant, who debuted her Bekket and Willow models last year. Before long celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Dakota Fanning and model Miranda Kerr were wearing them, and Beyoncé even wore a pair in her Love on Top video. Starting at a whopping $760, the styles are already sold out. Retailers were hot on the trail quickly creating replicas of the shoes.

In the 1950’s, James Dean – seen here in Jack Purcell sneakers – the Rebel Without a Cause star inspired rebellious teenagers to wear the sports shoe with their jeans rolled up as street wear.

Fashion’s talent to keep a basic style perpetually trending has never enjoyed more success than in the field of sneakers. When you consider that the original rubber soled “plimsols” was first conceptualized as early as the 18^th century and we’re still begging for the latest style 200 years later, it’s testament to their inherent appeal – and the endorsement campaigns they’re famous for.

Baby’s out of the corner and discovered Ked’s were perfect for Dirty Dancing in.

Known as sneakers because they were so quiet, a person wearing them could “sneak up” on you, the first mass-made brand was Keds made by the U.S. Rubber Company in 1917. By 1923, an Indiana hoops star named Chuck Taylor endorsed some basketball shoes, and the Chuck Taylor All-Stars went on to become the most famous athletic shoe in history and set a precedent for high profile celebrity promotions.

Grunge King, Kurt Cobain
 wore his in concert in the 1990’s.

Following in Chuck Taylor’s footsteps, Michael Jordan’s Air Jordan I’s hit the shelves in 1985. Despite being fined every time he wore them while playing with the NBA (only white shoes were allowed on court) the shoes are widely considered the most famous sneaker ever made. Nine years after Jordan’s retirement, the Air Jordan’s remain Nike’s top selling signature basketball shoe.

President Obama clearly happy about Spike Lee’s gift of a custom pair of Air Jordan Spizikes that were made bearing the presidential seal.

Want to catch up on some more fashion history?

Now & Then: The History of the Statement Outfit.

Now & Then: The History of Flared Pants

Now & Then: The History of the Ballet Flat

Now & Then: The History of the Breton Shirt

Now & Then: The History of the Platform Shoe

Now & Then: The History of the Pencil Skirt

Now & Then: The History of Skinny Jeans

Read more Now & Then articles here.

The post Now & Then: The History Of the Sneaker appeared first on EcoSalon.

Nine ways to wear one of spring’s hottest trends: ankle-length pants.

Ankle-length pants have been seen on the runways of fashion darlings like Isabel Marant for a few seasons now. This spring, it’s the hottest pant shape. A definite love-it-or-hate-it trend, ankle-length pants are easy to pull off, if you know how. The secret: picking the right shoes. We’ve done the work for you and found nine cropped pants and shoes that will make each look a home-run. Pair with a simple tee and a cropped jacket or long blazer and you’re wearing the spring trend as it should be.

Red is one of the hottest hues this spring when it comes to pants. Get inspired by Isabel Marant’s latest runway collection and pair your skinny ankle-length jeans with black pointed-toe pumps. It’s a fail-safe look.

Eileen Fisher Organic Stretch Twill Slim Ankle Jean in Saffron, $178, Eileen Fisher / Novacas Vegan Olivia Pump, on sale for $39.99, Moo Shoes

Take a walk on the wild side by pairing cropped cigarette jeans from Edun with cruelty-free vegan loafers in leopard print. All hues of pink – from soft pastel to hot fuchsia – are very on trend for spring.

Cropped Cigarette Jean, $198, Edun / Leopard-print Loafers, on sale for approx. $97, Beyond Skin

Most people will look best in a pair of skinny ankle-length pants, simply because they are more flattering and tend to accentuate the curve of the calves. Play with another of spring’s trends – stripes – in these organic cotton leggings by Feral Childe and pink vegan pinup-style sandals with a striped cork wedge heel.

Feral Childe Organic Cotton Chain Link Legging, on sale for $69, Jute & Jackfruit / Vegan Wedge Pindowns, on sale for $99, Fluevog Shoes

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, prints are huge for spring. Combine these galaxy/flower print cropped pants with yellow strappy sandals by Cri de Coeur and you’ll nail another hot trend – monochrome.

Low-waisted Skinny Pant, on sale for $112.50, Suno NY / Elegance T-strap Vegan Sandals, on sale for $50, Cri de Coeur

Strike the perfect balance between casual cool and street-savvy elegance by pairing Stewart + Brown’s Organic cotton sweats with shiny black rubber platform heels by Melissa. Top it off with a long black blazer and you may just get away with wearing sweat pants to a fancy dinner.

Stewart + Brown Terry Sweat Pants, $133, Stewart + Brown / Melissa Amazonas Platform Sandals, on sale for $67, Tobi

For a more avant-garde take on the ankle-length pant trend, pair these Organic wool trousers by designer Bruno Pieter’s new line Honest By, with a pair of vegan creepers. Keeping the look simple in all black keeps you from looking like a kid who outgrew his pants.

Adjustable Organic Wool Trousers, approx. $608, Honest By / Novacas Vegan Oxfords, $129.95, Compassion Couture

Keep things easy and breezy by pairing loose-fitting cropped pants by Dace with elegant architectural slingback heels. Add a lace top, sand-colored blazer and or loose-knit sweater and you’ll look like the nature-babe you are.

Dace Timothy Pants, on sale for $122.95, Future:Standard/ Clio Ankle Strap Vegan Wedges, $380, Cri de Coeur

If you’re ready to be totally daring with this trend, pair this printed jumpsuit by Edun with a pair of graphic black and white sandals. You’re guaranteed to turn some heads. Chances are, though, that this look will only work on amazonian model types.

Yoruba Print Jumpsuit, $489, Edun / Charm Bib-front Sandal, on sale for $42.50, Cri de Coeur

The post How To Wear It: Ankle-Length Pants appeared first on EcoSalon.