Chunky. Bulky. Massive soles. Eccentric nineties pattern. Sound familiar? Integrating into society as a revived fashion trend, millennials have oddly resonated a sparked obsession with dad sneakers.
Certainly, emerging into 2019 as an unlikely item that would have been considered archaic and unstylish in every sense, this lost 90’s trend has evidently dismissed that notion as dad sneakers are stepping onto the scene as fashionable footwear.
Having swept throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, this style of shoe was exclusively worn by dads, yet, they have slowly but surely become the epitome of a modern statement piece. Seemingly resembling an orthopedic sportswear shoe, these chunky-soled shoes are nothing of the sort as they are becoming one of the top shoe purchases of the year.
According to USA Today, "Just within this year, chunky sneakers have seen a 238 percent uptick in stock in the last three months compared to three months prior to that.”
From the social media platform of Instagram to the runway to your local college campus, influencers, designers and perhaps yourself are embracing the "ugliness" of oversized sneakers that the internet has mastered to dub as "dad sneakers" or “dad shoes”, and have turned them into a unisex trend.
However, you're probably wondering, why is the sneaker even relevant into today’s fashion? Shoe historian, Elizabeth Semmelhack, via Yahoo Lifestyle stated, a “the trend grew out of "normcore," which she describes as avoiding "hyper branded, super luxury, in-your-face-fashion" and, instead, toning down your look with a more muted and nondescript outfit.”
Incorporating this concept has been various branding companies from the likes of Balenciaga with their Triple S shoes that have an extreme platformed heel lined with a range of colors to the well-publicized FILA Disruptor II sneakers, that come in neutral-esque colors, this is only the beginning.
Yet most notably getting affirmation is Adidas. The sportswear brand has simultaneously used its recognition to entice and essentially use the power of well-known social influencers to increase the seller-buyer relationship which is not new, nor is it the first time. Business mogul Kanye West’s Yeezy brand is a prime example.
More so, within today’s fashion footwear market, these dad sneakers are definitely here to stay, as they not only offer comfort but neutrality to an outfit. Despite being out of the ordinary with its shape, these versatile dad sneakers are now for modern-day sneakerheads, as they can be worn with a plethora of clothing pieces varying from dresses, jumpsuits, tracksuits, you name it.
The 90's are back and here to stay due to their comfort.
