Sneakers edge out dress shoes and high heels in South Korea

(Left) K-pop girl group Blackpink's Jennie in Adidas. PHOTO: ODDATELIER/INSTAGRAM

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SEOUL - In 2025, sneakers are not just a staple, but also the main event.

From minimalist streetwear to quiet luxury to even formalwear, they have become the unshakable foundation of fashion identity. Once ruled by dress shoes, South Korea's style landscape is shifting towards comfort and versatility.

No longer bound by the old adage that "beauty comes at a price" - often pain - today's trendsetters are redefining elegance on their own terms. The towering high heels once endorsed by fashion legends have been dethroned in favor of flat, colorful sneakers that match feminine dresses and sharply tailored jackets.

This change is perhaps most visible in the workplace.

Dress shoes - long considered essential for professionals - are being phased out, replaced by sneakers as the new go-to item for the daily commute.

Corporate dress codes have loosened in recent years, and sneakers now dominate the emerging aesthetic of the modern office look.

Today's trend is not just about wearing sneakers, but also about styling them with intentional contrast. Pairing couture jackets with leggings, or structured coats with sweatshirts, people are boldly combining polished elements with athletic ones.

And fashionistas are investing strategically. The sneaker trends in 2025 range from time-tested classics like the Adidas Samba and Puma Speedcat to innovative models from New Balance and Fila.

Adidas, in particular, remains a powerhouse.