Hush Puppies is an American internationally-marketed brand of contemporary, casual footwear for men, women and children. A division of Wolverine Worldwide, the footwear brand sells shoes in over 120 countries throughout the globe. The Hush Puppies brand was founded in 1958 following extensive work by Wolverine to develop a practical method of pigskin tanning for the US military. In 1994 when sales of Hush Puppies were down, Hush Puppies suddenly became hip in the clubs and bars of downtown Manhattan where young people were buying them up at small shoe stores. 

In the fall of 1995, fashion designers John Bartlett, Anna Sui, and Joel Fitzpatrick began featuring them in their collections. These designers revived 1950s-era styles such as the Wayne Oxford and Earl Slip-on, offering the waterproof suede shoes in a rainbow of new colours such as Pepto-Bismol pink and Day-Glo green. Hush Puppies soon began to turn up on the famous feet of stars all over Hollywood. Hush Puppies also benefited from the trend toward dressing-down at work, filling the fashion gap between tennis and dress shoes. 

The company revived the "We invented casual" tagline that had launched Hush Puppies in 1958 when they created the world’s first “casual shoe”, signalling the beginning of today’s relaxed style. By utilizing supple suede in combination with lightweight crepe soles, Hush Puppies created a soft, breathable and very comfortable shoe—an innovation that would ultimately change the kind of shoes we wear. In an era when footwear choices were limited, Hush Puppies provided the world with a new alternative. A modern shoe embraced for its authentic style and casual flair. 

The brand is known for matching comfort with style, as their emerging comfort technology has continued to support the modern foot. The brand offers “HPO2Flex”, a cushioned triangle footbed platform that conforms to the way you walk, providing air circulation, flexibility and superior comfort. The “ZeroG”, a base built with super-lightweight materials, and an outsole that keeps your feet at ease all day long. The “Bounce”; a dual-density outsole that releases energy with each step by absorbing and redistributing shock, and finally their “WorryFreeSuede”, a textile that easily wipes clean, and is resistant against water, stains and scuffs!

Since the beginning, the beloved basset hound has embodied the easygoing nature that is Hush Puppies. Introduced during a time of new freedoms and changing lifestyles, their brand name and mascot quickly became symbolic of the emerging optimism of mid-century America. A brand that delivers the right mix of timeless style, dependable comfort and quality. Since their foundation, Hush Puppies has defined authentic casual style for generations of consumers around the world. Relaxed and classic in design, Hush Puppies has always defined what it means to be modern and casual. A revolutionary idea—born fifty-four years ago—continues to inspire us today. The go-to favourite shoe for all who embrace the lighthearted spirit and modern style of this iconic brand! They invented casual style; you make it your own. Shop our Hush Puppies collection.