For literal years at this point, Miu Miu has dictated the the guise of the most popular footwear. What started as a one-off, double-laced collaboration with New Balance, swiftly became a tone-setting demonstration of what every higher end sneaker would look like thereafter.

A driving force of what'd end up being an entire movement toward slenderer silhouettes, the Prada-held house has since gotten bored of its own power it seems, and decided to UNO-reverse on itself. Because while everyone else is now emulating the svelteness of Miu Miu shoes, Miu Miu has been emulating... everyone else. And in doing so, it's participating in its own successor-trend, which is that of the Vans-style deck shoe deluxe.

As part of what's a whole series of brown, battered leather kicks, Miu Miu recently put forth a pair of Vans Authentic-type lace-ups with nothing but subtle surface insignia to give away its origins. One can practically feel the buttery soft, slouchy nappa skin of these steppers through the screen.

In that same go, the Italian luxury brand also introduced a pair of Crocs-resembling garden clogs and Birkenstock-reminiscent buckle sandals. Both are made with that exact chocolatey leather, and only minimally branded.

Unlike the more retro-futurist and very Miuccia Prada-coded sneakers seen at Miu Miu's latest Paris Fashion Week show (or those HOKA-ish ones from last season), the "Vans" and "Birks" and "Crocs" in question are rather tame in appearance, with the distinct shine and patina of something long-loved, rather than appearing squeaky-clean and new.

The brand's astronomical ascent from Prada's IYKYK little sister to quarter-on-quarter top dog is something fashion students and TikTok pseudo scholars are bound to study years from now, if not already. But so, considering that sort of omnipotence, it's almost refreshing to have Miu Miu take a shot with something far quieter and more weathered-looking than its famously femme aesthetic.

Only thing up for debate then is: What iconic shape of shoe will Miu Miu channel next?

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