Mariyam Meeran Remember the Isabel Marant Bekett? That sneaker with the hidden wedge that was literally everywhere around 2012? You couldn’t scroll through a street style photo without spotting a pair, usually with skinny jeans rolled up at the ankle, which honestly dates the whole look more than the shoe ever did. Then it vanished, the way trends do, and we all moved on. But here we are, over ten years later, and the wedge sneaker is creeping back. And honestly? It deserves it.
Here’s what made the Bekett so good. It was sneaky. From the side, it just looked like a clean, chunky trainer. But there was a wedge built into the sole, so you got a couple of inches of height without it ever looking like you were trying. No obvious heel, no platform drama. Just you, slightly taller, walking around like it was nothing. It was comfortable, it was clever, and it was quietly chic in a way most “it” shoes never are.
The new version is softer than the old one. Instead of glossy white leather, you’re seeing muted suedes in sand, bone, taupe. The profiles are slimmer, and the wedges blend into the sole so well you barely notice the lift until you’re standing up straighter. It’s less “festival outfit” and more “I’ve got places to be and my feet aren’t going to suffer for it.”
And that’s the real appeal now. The wedge sneaker works with wide-leg trousers without wrecking the hem line. It goes with midi skirts and dresses, grounding something floaty with a bit of sporty ease. It’s the shoe for people who refuse to choose between looking put-together and being comfortable. The ones who walk all day and still look intentional at dinner.
Isabel Marant never really stopped making them, which kept the original alive. But now everyone’s got a version, at every price point. The styling has grown up too , less loud, more understated. It’s not shouting anymore. It’s just quietly doing its job.
Is it for everyone? No, definitely not. It’s a specific shoe with a specific vibe, and it won’t replace your sneakers or your heels. But that’s kind of the point. The comeback isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about recognizing a genuinely smart design and letting it be chic on its own terms. This time, I think it’s here to stay
