Shoes are known as one of the most important pieces of clothing; not only do they provide comfort, but they also express style.
The most popular brands among teenagers include: Nike, Adidas, Ugg, and Birkenstock.
Everyone has a few shoes on rotation, but what are the must-have shoes for WHS students?
Junior Alexys Valda says, “My staple shoe in my closet is my white Converse platforms because they pair well with any outfit. I love that I can wear them [all year round]. They are also comfortable and cute.”
At WHS, Adidas is a shoe staple for a lot of different students.
Sophomore Layla Madry says, “[Adidas] sambas [are my favorite] because they easily match any outfit; from jeans, or sweatpants, to leggings. And they are simple and a basic shoe that [doesn’t] hurt my feet.”
“The colorway of the [Adidas] shoes matches everything.” Junior Ailani Benitez-Sanchez adds.
Adidas, founded in 1949, experienced a rise in popularity in recent years with its Adidas Sambas, Gazelles, and Campus 00s.
According to Particl, in 2023 to 2024, “the Samba’s demand had not only surged, but sustained itself at remarkable levels. Adidas’ Q4 2024 financial performance showcased a 19% increase in revenue year-over-year, with the Samba and similar classic styles at the forefront of this growth.”
In 2024, sales for Adidas totaled 5.73 billion dollars compared to 4.81 billion dollars the year prior.
Birkenstocks have also been a popular choice. Mainly for their wide range of styles, at the same time, they could be easily put together with outfits. And for its easy “slip-on” design.
Junior Elizabeth Olmstead says, “I love my Birkenstock Boston’s because they’re so comfortable and go with anything I wear. Some people hate them, but I personally love them.”
Sophomore Alexandra Caba says, “My Birkenstocks because they are the best and match everything. [They’re] so comfortable and you can wear them on any occasion.”
Junior Alex Pina-Rodriguez says, “ My shoe staple definitely has to be my Birkenstock clogs, they’ve been with me through a lot of things. My clogs are also very versatile, I could wear [anything] with them.”
Senior Arden Bonnano says, “My Uggs because we can wear them more year round, [since] it’s cold for a long time, we can wear them longer. And you can wear them with anything.”
As we’ve seen, many students at WHS have a diverse range of footwear. Some prefer more comfortable sneakers but others also prefer footwear for fancier occasions like heels.
Junior Maeve Pelletier says, “A simple black open-toe [red bottom] high heel because it goes with everything. It’s classy, elegant, and is always useful to have.”
Junior Jake Wang says, “Nike Vomero 5 because they’re comfortable to walk in and go with every outfit.”
When looking for shoes, WHS students prioritize comfort, and a shoe that is able to match with different kinds of styles.
