![[theqoo] WHO EVEN WEARS HEELS THESE DAYS? THEY’RE OUTDATED… HIGH HEELS FALL OUT OF FAVOR, SHOW COMPANIES SEE SHARP PERFORMANCE DROP](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgz_d0HNvQeRZ1PGRw2z_KvFh7W_OUc_IL2YT_ueoknxvUwUJSJY_hp-FNIekW-g_EvjkjD5bUjSKOxpuYC24bplb6vwgNtyR3at4Dy5De6PIi7y63hlhZj4LYkeqHMCTsfRdhsupSeaZ7Be6N_tcZH0WagzsNa7aAnVsao2c8M9nW6IwdhmX92IrnZBeIN=w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu "[theqoo] WHO EVEN WEARS HEELS THESE DAYS? THEY’RE OUTDATED… HIGH HEELS FALL OUT OF FAVOR, SHOW COMPANIES SEE SHARP PERFORMANCE DROP")
As Sneakers become the norm even with suits and skirts, dress shoe brands see plummeting sales
With the widespread trend of pairing sneakers or athletic shoes with formalwear like suits and skirts, companies that specialize in dress shoes are reporting a sharp decline in performance. Since the onset of COVID-19, younger consumers, particularly from the MZ generation, have increasingly favored comfortable clothing, accelerating the move away from high heels and formal shoes.
According to the Financial Supervisory Service on the 23rd, Hyungji Esquire recorded sales of 49 billion won last year, a 33.1% drop compared to 73.3 billion won in 2023. Operating profit also fell by 61%, from 3 billion won to 1.1 billion won, and net profit plummeted by more than 90%, from 1.7 billion won to 100 million won.
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This decline in performance is attributed to the rise of fashion trends such as “one-mile wear”, easywear, and athleisure, which have led consumers to turn away from traditional dress shoes. The pandemic further intensified this trend by increasing the number of people working from home, reducing the need for formal attire. Even officewear has begun to move away from the conventional “suit and dress shoes” combination.
Among women especially, high heels are increasingly seen not just as uncomfortable, but as outdated. Reflecting this shift, Puma Korea, which primarily sells sneakers, saw sales increase by 17.2%, from 125.6 billion won to 147.2 billion won last year. Asics Korea reported a 31.0% sales increase, from 109.7 billion won to 147.3 billion won in the same period.
This trend of turning away from dress shoes is also being observed globally.
Industry experts expect the trend to continue for the foreseeable future. A representative from the fashion industry stated, “After COVID-19, the preference for comfortable clothing has become widespread, and with remote work reducing the need for formal dress, consumers are increasingly avoiding high heels and similar shoes. With the continued rise of athleisure and gender-neutral fashion, more people are seeking practical styles like sneakers and trainers.”
1. Only boy crazies wear those
2. Sneakers are jjang
3. Even loafers hurt my feet… I just stick to sneakers
4. If you look at offices, only people with no fashion sense and tacky fashion taste would wear those. I’m more shocked to see people still wearing them nowadays ㅋㅋ
5. Hul do these really make you look old…??? I’m in my late 30s and I don’t know so I’m asking. So what do younger people wear…
6. I don’t think they’re tacky ㅋㅋ I feel like pairing high heels with your outfits will forever look prettier. But the real issue is that it hurts my feet, so I can’t wear them ㅋㅋ Me too I don’t wear high heels unless I’m attending a wedding
7. I’ve stopped wearing loafers too ㅎㅎㅎ
8. Seriously this is the legendary boy crazy look. Only people who want male validation would wear them, so I don’t want to
9. They indeed look pretty, but I don’t buy them
10. They’re honestly so uncomfortable. Where have you seen any women wear high heels lately?