Shoeperstitions & Other Internet Trends

Shoeperstitious? Not anymore. Follow us as we debunk theories and fact-check what consumers really want this spring.

Social media can be a whacky and weird place, especially when it comes to what’s hot and what’s not, what’s fact and what’s fiction. On any given day – at least according to TikTok – you may find your relationship in peril because your significant other gifted you a new pair of shoes. The next day, skinny jeans could be deemed unfashionable, or a “known theory” that red nails will lead you to romance suddenly piques your interest. Who’s to say what’s actually believable these days?

If you find yourself frantically googling questions like, “do Vans actually land on their soles if you throw them?” or “what pair of shoes do I need to manifest prosperity this Spring?”, you’re in luck!

Zappos took the guesswork out of these superstitions, myths, trends, and more, with its first-ever Shoeperstitions Report - a nationwide survey conducted across 2,000 people to gauge how people really feel about social media trends, theories, and, most importantly, what’s next for Spring fashion, to set you up for success this season.

State of Play

Before we dive into the myriad of Shoeperstitions floating around the internet, let’s take a look at the current appetite for trends across the board. When trends arise on social media, 40% of Millennials admit they’re among the first to hop on board, with 36% of Gen Z not too far behind.

Considering that the trends cycle has accelerated to mere weeks, and it’s nearly impossible to keep up with the fast-moving world of micro-trends, how do you know what actually has staying power? According to the majority of consumers, the acceptable time frame is to wait one to two weeks before “buying in” to a trend.

Spring: a Time for New Beginnings and a Dose of Good Luck

Springtime is traditionally associated with new beginnings and apparently also superstitions (or shoeperstitions, if you ask us). While seemingly neither has anything to do with the other, superstition and fashion have more in common than you would think. One-third of consumers have a tried and true ‘lucky’ outfit on standby. What makes that outfit lucky? Unsurprisingly, it’s a history of good things happening in that outfit.

Dressed to...Manifest? A Closer Look at ‘Lucky Girl (& Guy) Syndrome’

Along the same vein, many people believe it is possible to manifest their destinies. Those identifying as male and female are evenly split in that belief – nearly 50% across both groups.

Most surprising is that Millennials (rather than Gen Z) take the top spot for ‘likely to be influenced by TikTok’ regarding their views on manifestation. However, consumers across all gender categories say that they’re now more inclined to believe in the power of positive thinking, thanks to the social media platform.

But does all this positive thinking actually hold power? Turns out, yes it does.

Nice Shoes, Wanna Play Footsie?

What’s everyone manifesting? Well, considering break-up season (yes, it is a season!) peaks in March, it could very well be that some singles are manifesting romance. And, while your relationship may not make it to Spring, there’s a chance that your closet may indicate if you’ll get lucky this season, or if you’ll fizzle out like last season’s boots.

The ‘Getting Lucky’...Sneaker? 59% of men have a go-to pair of sneakers for when they need a little extra luck. Women aren’t too far behind, with 46% saying their luckiest shoes are sneakers as well. Are you ready to put your best foot forward?

Buyer Beware Just because you own a lucky pair of sneakers does not mean your romantic endeavors will last. While 56% of people in a relationship say they have a lucky pair of sneakers, over 60% also admit that they own a pair of sneakers that have lasted longer than their last relationship – 18+ months!

Knockin’ Boots in Bootcuts The phrase ‘knocking boots’ is likely to mean boot-cut jeans for the modern generation: 27% of those in romantic relationships prefer when their partner wears bootcut jeans.

Red & Romance The Red Nail Theory is one of the more known theories circulating on the internet these days, and Gen Z believes it wholeheartedly - 38% believe that red nails are the key to attracting suitors and maybe even an engagement ring, depending on who you ask.

And, if you’re asking men, 80% of those surveyed believe that same logic applies to all red apparel.

The moral of the story? If you’re in the mood for romance, stock up on all things red!

The Shoe Theory

If you’re one of many in a relationship, you’ve likely heard the rumor that gifting shoes to your significant other will ultimately lead to the demise of your relationship (gift them shoes, they’ll “walk out of your life”).

Aptly titled ‘The Shoe Theory,’ this theory is one of the latest surging in popularity across social media, with Defluencers leading the conversation. This new class of influencers cautions people not to buy shoes for a loved one because they will find themselves dumped soon after.

Here at Zappos, we believe that shoes are a force for good! As such, we had to put this particular Shoeperstition to the test.

Despite 32% of people surveyed saying that TikTok influenced their stance on varioussuperstitions, a whopping 73.5% say the gift of shoes positively impacted their relationship.

Have you tested the Shoe Theory for yourself? We’d love to know!

Trends to Watch: The Chaotic Way We’re Getting Dressed Nowadays

Speaking of footwear, are you a person who styles an outfit based on the type of shoes you want to wear? Are you a fan of mixing and matching shoes? If you answered yes to either (or both) of these questions, you might already be a step ahead of the newest emerging trends this season.

Feet-First Fanatics One-third of Millennials and nearly the same number of Gen Z respondents say they get dressed starting with the type of shoes they plan to wear (Are those shoes mismatched? Odds are yes).

Dressed to Impress It’s good that feet-first dressing is trending in 2023 because nearly 60% of respondents say you can tell a lot about a person based on their footwear.

The Double Agents of Chaotic Dressing

According to TikTok, if you’re in a relationship for an extended period of time, chances are you’re probably starting to dress alike. And, although the rest of the world is making snap judgments about your footwear, they don’t really care if you and your significant other match. In fact, over 60% of Millennials and Gen Z actually support it.

You’re not in the clear just yet though! One-third of the population think couples who dress alike do it intentionally.

Betting Big on Bold Colors Looking ahead to the Spring season, all groups agree that color will be the biggest trend along with stylish footwear - sneakers and sandals were named must-have items for the new season!

“TikTok Made Me Do It” - A Shoeperstition Round-Up

The power of manifestation and The Shoe Theory are just two of many theories/superstitions that experienced a meteoric rise in 2023, thanks to TikTok. What other shoeperstitions should you watch out for? Let’s take a look!

When you throw a pair of Vans, they always land right-side up…Yes, you read that right. If you decide to throw a pair of Vans in any direction,they’ll always land on their soles. The majority of groups believe this shoeperstition, and 75% of those believers have actually tried it out for themselves.

Speaking of having shoes right side up...Nearly 20% of Millennials believe that storing shoes upside down is bad luck. However, over 50% of individuals have never heard of this shoeperstition, so organize footwear at your own risk.

Tables are for dining, and let’s keep it that way. Gen Z and Millennials alike agree that putting shoes on a table – for whatever reason – could invite bad karma. To be honest, we’re surprised this number isn’t bigger, because why would you need to put your shoes on a table?

The TLDR*: Parting Words

Don’t believe everything you see on the internet, but DO get ready for a fresh start this Spring!

(*That’s ‘Too Long; Didn’t Read’ for those of you who, well, probably don’t believe everything you read on the internet)