Before Kanye West dipped into the fashion industry, he often expressed his desire to dress the whole world. He later launched his brand, Yeezy, and it was then, and still is now, surrounded by a lot of hype.

Yeezy Sneakers Have Been Tough to Get

Like any other super-hyped sneaker, Yeezys were tough to get when they were first released. Back in 2016, Kanye had mentioned that one day, whoever wanted to get Yeezys would be able to – which sounded like a joke back then, considering how hard it was to get your hands on them. Only five years later, it seems to be more possible.

The Yeezy brand has shifted gears when it comes to fashion. They went from having limited drops to selling sneakers without all the hype. Most recent reports from StockX, the resale platform, state that the Yeezy brand has made huge jumps into major mass brands. From sitting at spot number sixteen to six, right behind New Balance and in front of Vans.

No More Gimmicks

The jump in brand popularity for Yeezy correlates with their new strategy as they won’t be relying on gimmicks, such as limited volume, to sell their sneakers. The Yeezy 350s are the most popular sneakers from Kanye’s brand and are considered to be the most traded of them all.

Many Yeezys can be found on resale platforms, like StockX, for a close-to-retail price – but it depends on the size. The brand is looking into increasing its rankings by sustaining volume and still making billions of dollars in revenue. Following brands like Nike, Jordan, and Adidas, they’ll be relying on tentpole models, which will continue to bring the limited hyped-up releases.

While they’ll be releasing more Yeezy 350 sneakers, they’ll limit other areas and create the hype there, like with Yeezy slides. The sales for Yeezy slides grew about 400% in 2020.

Although it may seem like winter is never going to end, spring is on its way to brighten our moods and outfits. In prepping your closet for the longer days of sun and bird songs, it’s time to freshen up your shoe collection.

Spring Is Time for a Change

As we ditch a layer of clothing come springtime, celebrity stylist Andrew Gelwicks suggests we do the same with certain types of shoes. Some trends have been overused, he says, and it’s time to look ahead instead of in the past. If you want to rock the spring 2021 look, here’s what you need to change in your shoe closet, according to Andrew.

1. Ditch Sock Boots & Wear Tall Skinny Heel Boots Instead

Instead of wearing sock boots which have long gone out of fashion, Andrew offers a much sexier and chicer alternative: leather or suede boots with a tall, skinny heel. They are much easier to pair with different clothing styles, from extravagant to strictly elegant. The best part? You can wear them virtually any season, not just in spring.

2. Replace “Dad” Sneakers With Chic Loafers

Gelwicks’ advice is to say goodbye to the massively chunky sneakers, better known as “dad” sneakers, in your everyday style, and replace them with chic loafers. Whether you’re looking for more casual flats or something with an edge, loafers offer both options. They are sleek, classic, and extremely comfortable. You can easily pair them with your favorite spring dress or denim-on-denim outfit.

3. Stop Wearing Socks Underneath Heels & Give Ankle Bracelets a Chance

Instead of going with the old socks-in-shoes trend, Andrew recommends playing around with jewelry-like ankle bracelets, toe rings, and other similar accessories. From chain link designs to rocks and extra shine, that’s definitely a better way to welcome this spring. Pair your anklet with loafers, sneakers, stilettos, and virtually any shoe!