Keds. The original sneak-er. They coined the nickname because of the rubber sole that keeps things quiet while you walk. In the old days, when you didn’t need a dozen pairs of flats in different colors, you wore their plain white or navy slip-ons.

Then, somehow, your Keds disappeared—dirty and tired, under the bed with the dustballs and dog toys.

But wait. Splashy, colorful, and frayed-on-purpose, with big time designer names like Nanette Lepore, the new Keds (www.keds.com) are sizzling hot.

There are skimmers and mary janes, fringed and faded, or in bright patterns and colors. The most popular pairs are pre-washed and threadbare. Kind of like that pair gathering dust.

Keds have cross-generational appeal; kids who’d never heard of them before scooped them off the shelf at the ultimate shoe palace—Nordstrom (www.nordstrom.com) in Garden State Plaza. Women re-discovering this comfort shoe were surprised to find them re-born fun and flirty. With so many colors and designs, you’ll need multiple pairs.

Credit actress Misha Barton for pumping tons of life into Keds. When Barton appeared at the store recently to autograph her favorite sneakers, they sold 247 pairs in an hour!

Take it from us; for this summer’s fun dresses, shorts and skirts, you’ll need plenty of designer flip flops, bright rubber garden clogs and Keds.

Sneakers are the new flats. And Keds are the new sneak-ers.