Sneaker wedges that dominated early-2010s street style have returned to fashion conversations after a spike in demand driven largely by Gen Z and Gen Alpha shoppers, according to a report from global shopping platform Lyst.
Researchers for Lyst said searches and interest in sneaker wedges — led by Isabel Marant’s Bekett style — rose 630% and placed the shoe at No. 8 on its list of the world’s hottest products, alongside items such as the Skims tank top and Prada re-nylon and suede sneakers. The revival has been amplified by TikTok videos and Y2K-focused content that reframe the design as a fresh or ironic choice for younger consumers.
Isabel Marant popularized the wedged sneaker in 2011 with the Bekett silhouette, a hybrid that combined athletic shapes with an internal heel intended to add height while preserving a casual aesthetic. The style was widely visible on celebrities during the 2010s, including Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez and Lindsay Lohan, and has reappeared in social feeds and retail assortments in recent months.
The reported price range for Marant’s wedge models runs from roughly $190 to $890, depending on materials and specific designs. The Lyst data measures shifts in demand and visibility on retail and social platforms rather than a single retailer’s sales figures, capturing increased search and listing activity connected to the trend.
Younger shoppers have framed the shoe as both fashionable and flattering. On TikTok, users have praised the wedge for adding perceived height and a nostalgic edge to contemporary outfits. “They’re still cute,” wrote one user, while another said the shoes “make me look taller as a petite girl.” Fans of the silhouette described the return as either a genuine rediscovery or an affectionate, Y2K-informed revival.
The resurgence has not been uniformly welcomed. Social-media users who were adults during the first wave of wedged sneakers reacted negatively. “Don’t bring these shoes back,” one content creator posted, while others called the look “ugly” or expressed fatigue with early-2010s fashion reappearances. The split highlights how cyclical revivals can polarize consumers who lived through the original wave and younger buyers who lack the same immediate associations.
The Marant wedge is one among several Y2K-era items benefiting from renewed attention on short-form video platforms, where styling clips, unboxing videos and trend roundups can quickly elevate legacy designs. Lyst’s ranking placed the wedge near other products whose renewed demand has been tied to social-media-driven nostalgia.
Designers and retailers often adjust assortments in response to such spikes in attention. Some brands have reissued heritage silhouettes or introduced new interpretations that retain signature elements while updating materials or proportions. Industry analysts note that these revivals can persist if buying follows attention, but they can also be short-lived if social-media interest moves on to the next rediscovered item.
For now, consumers are split between enthusiasm and aversion. Supporters say the shoe offers a blend of comfort and height that suits contemporary streetwear mixes; detractors view the return as an unwelcome repeat. As with past fashion cycles, whether the wedge will secure a long-term place in wardrobes or remain a nostalgia-driven moment will be determined by sales performance and how quickly trends on platforms like TikTok evolve.
