The '90s Sneaker Trend Everyone Is Wearing in Paris Right Now

Allyson Payer's avatar
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In contrast to the slim silhouette of Adidas Sambas, it seems that people are finally in the mood for something different—in Paris at least. I come across many photos of people in Paris throughout my workdays, and I always look to see what shoes they're wearing. Often, it's sneakers, which makes sense in such a walkable city. Instead of the retro '70s-inspired sneakers that have been so popular over the last several seasons (not that those are "out" by any means), people are going back to chunky sneakers that are reminiscent of styles that were popular in the '90s. Think Princess Diana in her bike shorts and chunky white sneakers. As far as brands go, the favorites seem to be Nike, Salomon, Asics, and New Balance, and they're typically paired with casual outfits.

Chunky '90s-inspired sneakers may not be quite as versatile as retro '70s styles, but they make up for it by making anything they're paired with look exponentially cooler. Just for fun, I found a slew of chunky-sneaker outfits from the streets of Paris to inspire you and some of the internet's best chunky sneakers to fill your closet with. Scroll to expand your sneaker collection in the most Parisian way.

The Inspiration: Princess Diana in the '90s

Princess Diana wearing sneakers.

(Image credit: Arnold Slater/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)

Chunky Sneakers in Paris

Woman wearing chunky sneakers in Paris.

(Image credit: @claire_most)

More often than not, people in Paris pair chunky sneakers with baggy jeans.

Woman wearing chunky sneakers in Paris.

(Image credit: @slipintostyle)

Add a blazer for an elevated sneaker outfit.

Woman wearing chunky sneakers in Paris.

(Image credit: @leasy_inparis)

A baseball cap is a perfect companion to chunky sneakers.

Woman wearing chunky sneakers in Paris.

(Image credit: @elizagracehuber)

New Balance sneakers are proving to be popular in Paris.

Woman wearing chunky sneakers in Paris.

(Image credit: @erinoffduty)

A trench with chunky sneakers is very Parisian.

Woman wearing chunky sneakers in Paris.

(Image credit: @allypayer)

The perfect casual outfit combo.

Woman wearing chunky sneakers in Paris.

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Somewhat surprisingly, metallic chunky sneakers are popular in Paris as of late.

Woman wearing chunky sneakers in Paris.

(Image credit: @pia_mbd)

You can't go wrong with a neutral-colored pair.

Woman wearing chunky sneakers in Paris.

(Image credit: @frannfyne)

Pairing a leather jacket and black pants is a great fall combo.

Woman wearing chunky sneakers in Paris.

(Image credit: @lenafarl)

Stark white sneakers and a track jacket feel fresh.

Woman wearing chunky sneakers in Paris.

(Image credit: @tamaramory)

Consider this your PSA to order a pair of chunky sneakers stat.

Shop Our Chunky-Sneaker Picks

This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Allyson Payer
Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater arts. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.

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