The ribbon-laced sneaker trend that was popular in the 2010s is returning to runways for the fall-winter 2026 season, feeding the nostalgia of millennial consumers, according to Vogue.
Tenis con Listones Return to the Runway for Autumn 2026
Ribbon sneakers first gained widespread popularity during the 2010s, highlighted by 2016 milestones such as Iggy Azalea wearing tassel-trimmed sneakers to sing “Fancy” alongside Charli XCX, while Puma introduced designs replacing laces with satin ribbons, Amaneciendo reported.
At Marcelo Sommer, the Brazilian brand featured pink shoes with transparent, voluminous ribbons paired with satin bermuda shorts, emphasizing a soft pastel color scheme. Meanwhile, Simone Rocha integrated ribbons into sneakers evoking childhood hair bows, and the Japanese label Yushokobayashi introduced a baby-blue plush version outfitted with matching satin ribbons for a more experimental consumer base. These styles share a distinctly feminine and naif aesthetic that allows wearers to feel as though they are playing with fashion in their own way.
Retail Brands Adapt Ribbon Sneakers for Broader Markets
Beyond high-fashion presentations, commercial footwear brands have adapted the ribbon sneaker trend for broader retail markets. Converse offers a model featuring an oversized black bow across the instep, giving classic silhouettes an exaggerated, feminine focal point. At the same time, Puma maintains a direct link to its 2016 archives by commercializing a satin sneaker in a mint green colorway.
Independent labels are also expanding the category. Naked Wolfe has introduced a suede version utilizing beige ribbons, targeting mid-range consumers looking for tactile contrast. These releases raise questions within the retail sector about the sustainability of cyclical fashion and how quickly brands can respond to consumer demand for products that balance nostalgic references with novel updates.
Diverse Retro Influences Shaping Autumn Footwear
Alongside ribbon aesthetics, autumn footwear styles include several vintage-inspired categories, ranging from low-profile ballet sneakers to thick chunky soles. Steve Madden’s autumn collection highlights alternative retro interpretations, including the Khaia Brown Distressed model—priced at $2,799 MXN, it is a low-profile shoe with a 1.5-centimeter sole that merges balletcore aesthetics with 1990s athletic shapes.
For minimalists, normcore designs such as the BISCOTTI-RE DARK WINE SUEDE model, priced at $2,499 MXN, combine deep wine-colored suede with elastic fabric, a sock-like construction, adjustable laces, and wave-shaped sequin appliqués. Animal prints also feature prominently, with cow patterns appearing on retro runner silhouettes alongside traditional leopard motifs, as seen in the CASHBOX-A BLACK/WHITE model priced at $2,499 MXN, which pairs a black-and-white design with bicolor laces. Platform designs with hidden wedges, such as the MAVIS TAUPE SUEDE high-top featuring taupe-colored suede and Velcro closures priced at $3,199 MXN, and chunky sneakers like the FRONT ROW OLIVE/OLIVE featuring a 4.5-centimeter thick sole and a mix of olive-colored suede and fabric priced at $2,499 MXN, round out the seasonal offerings, providing consumers with various ways to style transitional footwear as colder weather approaches.
Worth a look
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