Remember The Controversial Wedge Trainers Of 2011? They’re Back – And Our Fave Cool Girls Love Them

As we all know, fashion comes full circle. Trends emerge and fade, sometimes for the better – and sometimes for the worse. When it comes to Isabel Marant's wedge trainers – first launched in 2011 – opinions are just as divided today as they were a decade ago. Love them or hate them, the trainer heels are back, and they're infiltrating the wardrobes of all the coolest fashion girls on social media.

These chunky sneakers, known for their concealed wedge and street-style appeal, became a pop culture sensation as soon as they launched. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé(who even wore them in her iconic Love On Top music video), as well as Rihanna and Irina Shayk, were frequently spotted in them.

Image credit-@kimkardashian

For me, there’s something undeniably cool about Isabel Marant's trainers. The design is distinct, thanks to the straps, the puffy tongue and, of course, the heel, and they look great with denim. The look evokes that early-2010s 'it-girl' aesthetic, where street style was just beginning to dominate the fashion landscape. Personally, I love them because they nail that laid-back vibe; it’s a little undone, a little edgy, and totally unexpected. My friends have told me they hate them but my motto is: if someone doesn’t do a double take or raise an eyebrow, are you even really wearing an outfit worth your time?

Getty Images - Irina Shayk

Fashion’s cyclical nature plays a big role in the wedge sneaker’s resurgence, but there are a few other factors, too. People like me watched our mothers, aunties and favourite celebs wear them and, now that we've come of age and have our own jobs with incomes, we have the means to buy them. TikTok has also amplified the sneaker’s return, with influencers showing how they’ve styled it for 2024, making it a new-gen style staple. Searches for the shoe on Google have spiked in recent months, and retailers are struggling to keep them in stock as demand climbs.

As demand skyrockets, people are flocking to secondhand platforms like Vinted, Depop, and Vestiaire to secure a pair of the original Isabel Marant wedge sneakers. In a time where vintage and pre-loved fashion are more popular than ever, owning an early-edition pair is practically a badge of honour for those who love the style’s throwback roots.

Beyoncé's Love On Top video

Plus, the updated, more futuristic iterations of the sneaker are enticing a new crowd. Today’s wedge sneakers boast sleeker, more refined silhouettes with lots of different colours available. You don’t need an elaborate outfit- these shoes do all the talking.

So, whether you love them for their height, their nostalgic appeal, or their unmistakable cool factor, the Isabel Marant wedge trainer has officially cemented its place in 2024’s fashion cycle. It’s safe to say this trend’s polarising power is part of its allure -and as long as it’s sparking debates, it’s clearly still got legs.

Shop: The Isabel Marant Wedge Trainers

Main image credit - @laravioletta @reoriginal_official

Renee Washington, Grazia's digital fashion and beauty assistant, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie.