Sometimes there's a trend that's just so bad that it's good. For me this season, it's the "ugly" sneakers you've spotted on many a street style star over the last few months. I have a feeling anyone but my dad (who really does wear shoes that look like this) would offer nothing more than a puzzled look when pressed about the rise tech sneakers, but there's something so charming about them I can't resist.
While I admit the clunky soles and unpolished details could easily skew unflattering, on the feet of fashion's top trendsetters, they feel surprisingly cool. But what's the real appeal? In part, the shoes give me flashes of nostalgia for the chunky Sketchers I wore as a typical '90s child. And as we see the '80s power suit and '90s grunge resurfacing these days, so too have retro sneakers come back to haunt us.
But besides a love of the things we wore when we were young, the sneakers are part of a greater shift across the industry. Over the past few seasons, we've seen fashion move away from the pervasive minimalism of the earlier aughts, skewing into two distinct directions: a romantic ultra-feminism, and a playful, referential vein that seems to be constantly poking fun at itself and the fashion industry as a whole (the Vetements effect, if we'd so desire to give it a name). These sneakers toe the thin line—while there will be those who can't stand the trend, that quirkiness will draw others in. So are you ready to take the plunge? We're showing off a few ways to style them below, and then shopping out our favorite pairs.
Style the sneakers with an elegant skirt for a cool contrast.
Embrace the athleisure trend by styling them with sweats.
A polished suit and sneakers looks oh so cool.
Black sneakers fly under the radar.
Don't be afraid to pair them with sleeker pieces like a polished suede coat.
Chunky sneakers look cool balanced out with a miniskirt or short dress.
Try balancing out romantic hues like pink with chunky statement sneakers.
Use the sneakers as commuter shoes.
Try color coordinating for a cool twist.
Neutrals are anything but boring.
When tube socks and sneakers come together.
Dad-inspired and oh so cool.
These Balenciaga sneakers are tough to keep in stock.
Practical fashion done right.
Go for throwback shoes.
Feeling adventurous? Try a hue like pink.
These satiny sneakers are oh so cool.
You'll be ultra comfy in these sneakers.
These sneakers are the original.
Meet the current cult classic.
Futuristic and throwback all at once.
You can wear these all day.
Out-of-the-box fashion.
Take a jump, and try these out.
Here's how to try a pop of color. Want more? Here are the ballet-flat sneakers to try.
-
7 Elegant Outfits Well-Dressed People Are Wearing With Sneakers Instead of BootsMore comfortable but just as chic.
-
Fashionable People Would Like These Fall Trends From Shopbop's Surprise SaleSuede! Jeans! Sneakers!
-
Confirmed: Jeans and a T-shirt Are So Much Less Boring When Worn With This Winter Sneaker TrendStep aside, neutral kicks.
-
I Walk Over 5 Miles a Day Working in Manhattan—Here's an Editor-Approved City Girl's Guide to Fall ShoesPlus, how I'd style them.
-
These 25 Chic Sweaters From Mango Will Be the Guaranteed Stars of Your Fall and Winter Highlight ReelShop them before they sell out.
-
Spotted on Mercer Street: The Surprisingly Elegant Way Fashion People Are Wearing Belts for WinterResulting in the richest outfit recipe, well, ever.
-
I Hate to Say It, But It's Time to Set Aside These 5 "Dated" Sneaker TrendsThe new guard of It sneakers.
-
Everyone Cool in New York Is Wearing This New Sneaker Instead of Loafers, Ballet Flats, and BootsIt's the hardest-to-source sneaker in fashion right now.
