The History of Keds Sneakers

Keds debuted in 1916. Originally, they were going to be called “Peds” but due to a previous trademark, the shoes debuted as “Keds” instead. By the 1920s, the rubber-soled sneakers were being used by Olympic soccer players, tennis champions, and college athletes. In 1936, Keds launched Kedettes, a washable heeled shoe for women. In 1953, they launched their famously sporty Pro-Keds silhouette. Fashionable women like Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, and Yoko Ono all wore the shoes. In 1987, Jennifer Grey famously danced in them as Baby in Dirty Dancing. Full House’s D.J. and Stephanie Tanner also wore them frequently, which helped bolster the shoes’ popularity among young women. The white canvas design remains a classic, but in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Keds began to add colors and patterns to their shoes. The shoes remained popular throughout the 2010s as well, and celebrities were often seen wearing them. Some celebrities, including Taylor Swift and Mischa Barton, even took part in ad campaigns for the brand. Today, Keds continue to be a comfortable yet fashionable choice for many and offer plenty of patterns and colors to allow for individual expression.