I suspect the style is about to sell out again.
As silly as it may sound, ugly shoes are having a moment. Celebrities keep reaching for camel-toed Tabis, “gorpcore” Salomon sneakers have become street-style must-haves, and Crocs aren’t just a supermodel go-to, but they’ve actually made it onto the runway at fashion week. Controversial footwear has become the new norm, yet, when Sneex arrived this summer, I think you could have heard a pin drop.
Oprah’s Favorite Famous Bag Got a Cool-Girl Makeover—but It’ll Sell Out Soon
The brand debuted a shoe that took everyone by surprise. Its Icon style combined a heel and a sneaker in one of the more unexpected ways. No, this wasn’t a platform tennis shoe or a pair of pumps with a small lace detail; Sneex put an athletic looking sneaker on top of a skinny three-inch heel. But what surprised me even more than the shoe itself (and its $395 price tag) was how quickly it became a celebrity go-to; Reese Witherspoon immediately paired hers with one of her preppy-chic looks, and Oprah just called them one of her “favorites.”
Sneex the Icon Heeled Sneaker
$395 at Amazon $395 at Sneex.com
You read that right: Oprah’s 2024 Favorite Things list includes the much-talked-about hybrid style, which actually sold out within four weeks of launching. And, honestly, she made a pretty good case for it. Oprah wrote that Sneex, a brand created by the founder of Spanx, effectively designed “high heels as comfortable as sneakers.” They’re innovative, she said, explaining that the way the shoe “redistributes the weight off the ball of your foot” makes them feel unlike any other heel. It’s a bold claim, but she backed it, writing that Gayle King wore hers “for 12 hours straight.”
$395 at Amazon $395 at Sneex.com
The Icon style—available in four colors—is designed to balance weight equally between the ball of the foot and the heel, and the mesh exterior doesn’t squeeze or constrict. Those details are quite practical, but they’re paired with really luxurious ones, like suede, napa leather, and a sharp stiletto, all of which work together to elevate the one-of-a-kind style. That mix of casual and dressy gives you room to wear these with pretty much your entire wardrobe, whether that’s jeans, office-ready trousers, or even a cute dress.
To say I was initially on the fence about these would be a lie; I was fully in the camp of “Wtf?” And while I’m still coming around on the shoe’s look—TBH, it’s one you either love or hate—I have come to believe that Sneex really is bringing unparalleled comfort to the world of heels. The Icons have sold out before, and after making Oprah’s list, select colors are already running low in stock, so I wouldn’t wait to grab your pair. Shop more of the brand’s heeled sneakers, below.
The Tepper Heeled Sneaker
$595 at Sneex.com
$595 at Sneex.com
The Blake Heeled Sneaker
$545 at Sneex.com
$545 at Sneex.com