November 24, 2025 by Katie Plue (‘27)
The new 2025 “it girl” shoe is the Isabel Marant wedge sneaker, and it is making a controversial reappearance 14 years after their release date.
The Isabel Marant wedge sneakers are very unique and definitely make a statement. What makes them so different from other sneakers is the wedge hidden inside.
After the release of the original Beckett Sneaker in 2011, Isabel Marant has formulated many other variations of the iconic shoe; the Balskee, IM3, and Bobby. Each shoe shares the wedge inside, but all have distinctive features and looks. The Balskee model has a chunkier sole that looks more like a running sneaker, with thin leather and suede velcro straps. This contrasts the style of the original Bekett model, which has a thin sole and chunky, almost pillowy tongue and straps. The IM3 is slightly different, being completely made of leather, but keeping the thin straps. The Bobby model is less boot-y and more like a typical high-top sneaker. The biggest change added to this one is the swap from velcro straps to laces.
The debate around these shoes is if they are worth it, or if the chunky look really isn’t stylish anymore and not worth the expensive price. The idea is that people buy them because of how traditionally ugly they are. When people speak out about a clothing item being repulsive, it creates a chain on social media of everyone expressing their opinions, giving it exposure. In 2011, they gained their popularity through celebrities. Beyoncé wore the wedge sneaker in her Love On Top music video and other celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Jessica Alba have been seen wearing them out in public. They aren’t quite trendy enough yet but hopefully in the future we will see Tate Mcrae or any of the girls from KATSEYE rocking them, as shoes like this tend to fit their style. I think seeing KATSEYE wearing the chunky sneaker on stage would definitely fit their Gnarly era.
My take on this very, very pressing, and troubling matter is that I wouldn’t spend that kind of money on them. However, their look really depends on how you style it. If I had a pair, I would style them with a little jean skirt and a matching vintage bag. It’s like wearing high black boots with a mini skirt, in both situations the shoes dress up the outfit. Wearing a skirt or shorts leaves the shoes on full display. Considering how much I would’ve hypothetically spent on an authentic pair of these, they better be seen from space.