Dad Sneakers Trend: A Man's Guide On How To Wear The Ugly Sneaker

Fashion has a way of re-discovering the most cringe-worthy items and making them cool. That's exactly what happened with your dad's basic orthopedic kicks that he wears to mow the lawn or wash the car. Fashion designers, from Balenciaga to Raf Simons to Nº21, saw the beauty in what can only be described as the ugliness of dad sneakers and made them the It-shoe of 2018.

Extreme Sportswear: Goodbye Tennis, Hello Trekking

Sportswear has been the new black for quite a while now. Wearing activewear in daily life is not only the norm now - it's the high fashion choice for just about everybody. The trend is nowhere near slowing down. In fact, it's only getting bigger and the new mood in fashion is the extreme sportswear. Say goodbye to tennis, and hello to trekking.

From Balenciaga To Yeezy: The Ugly Dad Sneakers Trend

The dad sneaker trend is a glaring example of this new aesthetic.

Designers from Balenciaga to Yeezy suggest that you swap your sleek, minimalist but so last season low-tops for ugly, chunky dad sneakers. Yep, your dad's basic orthopedic kicks that he wears to mow the lawn or wash the car is the It-shoe of 2018 that everyone in the fashion world, from editors to celebrities to street style stars, is drooling over.

One particular creation, Balenciaga's Triple S Sneakers, is especially popular with the fashion crowd. Showcasing a tricolor chunky rubber sole, these sneakers combine functionality with a show-stopping design.

How To Style Balenciaga's Triple S Sneakers

If you're a lucky owner of a pair of Triple S Sneakers or a similar design, integrating them into an outfit can seem challenging, especially if you're not used to wearing statement pieces. Take cues from these celebrities and street style stars who are hooked on Balenciaga's chunky sneakers and know exactly how to style them for a head-turning effect.

High-End Dad Sneakers

However, Balenciaga is not the only fashion house that made the ugly sneaker trend possible. There are several high-end options if you want to treat yourself to a pair of luxury dad sneakers.

The on-trend sturdy running sole gives a contemporary twist to these Nº21 Billy sneakers. Fuelled by high-fashion design, these comfortable pairs in black or white will become great alternatives to your cotton Converse.

If you haven't yet fallen in love with this ridged sole look, there's a whole Raf Simons X Adidas collection to hook you up. Known for his innovative and avant-garde designs, Raf Simons collaborated with Adidas to continue to bridge the gap between the street and the court and deliver his spin on the classic footwear pieces. 

If you want to add a touch of opulent Italian fashion to your style, opt for these beige chunky running sneakers from Versace.

Gucci Rhyton Sneaker features a thick sole and a vintage Gucci logo.

Dad Sneakers On A Budget

As usual, the trend may have started with designer collections, but it is quickly penetrating the mainstream, meaning you can achieve the high fashion look on the budget.

These Puma Thunder Electric Sneakers in white or grey are a great and more affordable alternative to high-end chunky sneakers.

Fila Disruptor II Sneaker with a super-chunky sole is another popular choice.

Alternatively, take a look at these ASOS DESIGN sneakers. The chunky sole gives them a fresh streetwear edge, while the neutral color makes them a versatile addition to your footwear collection. Same goes for this pair of Bershka sneakers, another affordable option.

If you're looking for a dad sneaker in black, check out this Russell Platform Sneaker by Steve Madden.

If comfort is at the forefront of your philosophy, consider these Clarks Originals Trigenic Evo Suede Sneakers. The sneakers combine Clarks' timeless aesthetic with the new season contemporary look.

How To Style 'Ugly' Dad Sneakers For Smart & Casual Outfits

While the chunky sneaker looks cool and comfortable, integrating this trend into your daily repertoire may seem challenging. Let's look at how you can style them to create different looks to suit a variety of occasions.

Casual Outfits With 'Ugly' Dad Sneakers

The easiest way to style chunky dad sneakers is to make them the focal point of a basic casual outfit. Chunky sneakers will complete casual outfits just as good as your favorite Vans low-tops. Think t-shirts, solid pullovers, chinos or jeans. If you need to throw on a jacket, keep it simple and opt for a classic bomber or a denim jacket.

Sporty Outfits With 'Ugly' Dad Sneakers

If you're ready to fully embrace the extreme sportswear aesthetic, pair your chunky sneakers with traditionally sporty items, such as hoodies, windbreakers and joggers. To score bonus style points, opt for bright vibrant colors that are also common for activewear.

Urban Outfits With 'Ugly' Dad Sneakers

You'll certainly love the ugly sneaker trend, if your style gravitates towards the avant-garde. Take inspiration from high fashion designers and style influencers to keep the futuristic, edgy vibe throughout the outfit. Unexpected combinations, distressed denim, Canadian tuxedo, leather trousers - nothing is off limits.

Smart Casual & Suited Looks With 'Ugly' Dad Sneakers

If you want to stay true to your classy and elegant self, but also hop on this cool new trend, you can easily pair dad sneakers with your tailored separates or even suits for a fresh, gentleman-meets-street vibe.

Do you like the featured outfits? These are some of the most stylish and popular combinations out there. But you can also filter out the outfits you see to match your own clothes.

Add some of your clothes to your digital wardrobe on Lookastic, and we'll show you outfits you can put together. Click here to get started .