Keds
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Hot Keds brand of shoe has been around since 1916, when they were first made by U.S. Rubber (now known as Uniroyal). The first Keds shoes were also the first to be known as sneakers, because the rubber soles of the shoes made them quiet (so one could sneak around and not worry about being heard, apparently, because hard soled shoes tended to make noise). The brand is now owned by the Stride Rite Corporation. The word ked reportedly comes from an American Indian word for moccasin print [1].
Throughout the years, Keds became immensely popular with many people, including fashion icons, because of their classic and simple, minimalistic design.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Keds introduced a line of athletic shoes called Pro-Keds, which were intended for more serious use, specifically for basketball. Over the years many basketball players and teams wore Pro-Keds shoes while playing.
In the 1980s and 1990s keds were worn by girls with wigwam slouch socks with skirts and bike shorts or leggings or soccer shorts and by cheerleaders with wigwam slouch socks as part of their uniform.
The popularity for Keds finally seemed to die out in the mid-to-late 1990s, as other brands became popular with women and the classic Keds fell out of favor. However, recently, Keds have become popular again, thanks in part to its ad campaigns featuring Mischa Barton, star of The O.C.. There are now fruit design Keds that have been introduced. Keds also come in polka dots and in many other new designs. Pro-Keds have also come back into popularity for the moment, thanks in part to the current vintage clothing obsession.
The Keds Champion is still the Keds signature shoe, and is available in the traditional white and black leather and canvas uppers, but also in a myriad of seasonal and special colors and patterns. In 2006 some of the Men's Keds Triumph sneakers were reintroduced, though Keds remain far more popular with women than with men.
