It’s official! The Puma Speedcat is the hottest sneaker in town. Earlier this year, Puma refreshed this brand classic with the release of the OG Speedcat sneaker. The 2024 re-launch was widely successful, with global tastemakers endorsing the shoe and elevating it to must-have status.
Everyone who’s anyone in fashion has jumped on the Puma Speedcat bandwagon, from celebrities such as Troye Sivan, Dua Lipa and Emily Ratajkowski to Asian Pacific icons like Rosé, Win Metawin and Heart Evangelista. And the sneaker’s popularity shows no signs of slowing down. As reported by Lyst in the Q3 2024 Lyst Index, the Speedcat is currently one of the world’s most in-demand fashion products.
Want to know what makes the Speedcat such a coveted item? Keep reading as EnVi guides you through the history of this popular sneaker.
Racer Origins
First introduced in the late 1990s, the Speedcat debuted as an aerodynamic thin-sole shoe inspired by motorsports. The sneaker’s origins can be traced back to the 1980s when Puma released its first-ever racing shoe: the Motorsport. However, it wasn’t until 1999 that the sportswear company debuted the Speedcat.
Shortly after and in collaboration with Sparco, Puma launched a lifestyle iteration of the shoe to great acclaim. The sneaker’s low profile, stylish design and association with racing culture quickly resonated with young audiences, bestowing the Speedcat with cult status. With the contribution of sports and entertainment icons such as Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher, Puma propelled the sneaker into the mainstream.
Throughout the early aughts, the shoe was everywhere, prompting the evolution of the Speedcat with derived lines and new Puma designs including the Future Cat, RDG-Cat, R-Cat, Driftcat and Kartcat. The original Speedcat, however, remains the best-selling Puma shoe to date.
The Revamp
In 2024, Puma partnered with Dutch retailer NAKED Copenhagen to re-launch the OG Speedcat line. The low-top Speedcat was initially revived in black and red colorways. This re-issue also featured the Puma pictorial mark on the toe and a Puma logo on the sneaker’s side and tongue.
Puma and NAKED Copenhagen presented the sneaker with a woman-led campaign starring stylist and creator Sierra Rena. But Rena wasn’t the only notable figure promoting it. The Speedcat was soon spotted on the streets of fashion capitals and social media feeds, with superstars like Dua Lipa leading its comeback to the mainstream. Likewise, social media-savvy brand ambassadors such as Rosé, Win Metawin and Tu Tontawan have reintroduced the Puma Speedcat to new generations and contemporary audiences.
Retro Allure
As of today, the Puma Speedcat has become a highly coveted item, claiming the title of it sneaker of 2024. According to Lyst’s Q3 2024 report, the footwear model is currently the third hottest product in the world, with demand spiking 532% in August. On Lyst, the red colorway is the most popular style, with demand increasing 57% week-on-week and 1588% month-on-month.
Katy Lubin, VP of Brand and Communications at Lyst, explains the sneaker’s growing popularity. “The Speedcat’s recent surge aligns perfectly with the Y2K revival, where styles from the late ’90s and early 2000s are captivating Gen-Z consumers,” she tells EnVi. “The sneaker’s retro silhouette taps into this nostalgia trend and the demand for versatile, sleek footwear.”
Moreover, the Speedcat’s revival comes at a time when aesthetics such as racercore and blokecore are thriving and athleisure has ignited renewed interest among fashion enthusiasts. Not to mention that over the last couple of years, the F1 circuit has strengthened links with the fashion industry, turning the global tracks into platforms for fashion expression. It helps, of course, that celebrities, content creators and influential names in fashion are co-signing the Speedcat’s return.
Styling a Classic
Now, onto the big question. How exactly do we sport the Puma Speedcat in 2024? Due to its versatile and minimalist design, this trendy sneaker can be paired with anything and everything, from the most laid-back outfits to the smartest takes on trends. The sneakers are the perfect accessory to elevate or ground any look.
If you’re into fashion experimentation and have a knack for unconventional combinations, think of office siren-inspired ensembles featuring tailored trousers, long dresses, shirts, classy outerwear and maybe even a tie. Then, add a pair of Speedcats for a comfy, but fashionable spin on work attire. Want some inspiration? Add Filipina style icon Heart Evangelista’s look to your moodboard. The front-row star put together an unlikely mix, combining a black blazer, a beige leather bag and a pair of red Puma sneakers. To further upgrade this type of look, don’t forget a pair of Bayonetta-style glasses, as those sported by content creators Relle and Eden Masliah.
if you’re into feminine Y2K style, take a look at Thai actor Tu Tontawan’s retro-infused outfits, which feature pastel colors, mini skirts and sleeveless tops. Or, take cues from Indonesian internet personality Nastasia Adeline, who — giving us a throwback to the noughties — paired her Speedcat footwear with leg warmers and a tracksuit jacket.
Athleisure and Denim
In a racer mood? Say no more and take a page from Rosé’s style book. The Puma ambassador has styled her Speedcats with denim shorts, tank tops and a racing-enthusiast staple — the leather racing jacket. You can also opt for sports and racing jerseys, similar to the Oshima sibling duo or Singaporean actress Chen Yixin.
If you want to go for the ultimate street-style look, then, by all means, find inspiration in the likes of Thai fashion darling and Puma ambassador Win Metawin or brand founder Biel Juste. Both fashion-forward men have matched their Puma sneakers with statement cargo pants, T-shirts and bomber jackets, channeling the original spirit of the Speedcat shoe. Win has also sported the trendy sneakers with camouflage print pants, leather jackets or distressed denim and knitwear — as seen on the pages of L’Officiel Singapore.
Pro tip: if you’re not feeling so experimental then play safe and combine your Speedcats with baggy denim and streetwear basic such as graphic tees, sportive jackets or the timeless tank top.
If none of the above works for you, then simply throw on your favorite wardrobe staples. The charm of the Speedcat sneakers is that you can never go wrong with any style and the footwear’s timeless design lends itself to limitless experimentation.
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Interested in more fashion content? Read about the hottest fashion brands and products of Q3 2024, according to Lyst, here.
