Prepare to see chunky, spongy, lace-up trainers everywhere as the fashion set descends on the shows for the next month. Seen at Balenciaga, Vetements, Louis Vuitton and Yeezy of course, but also at Nike, Adidas, Reebok and now all over the high street, sleek, elegant Stan Smith types are being pushed aside for oversized trainers that look more at home on the cross trainer than on the front row.
Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Hailey Baldwin have all jumped on the 'Dad' trainer bandwagon, pairing them with everything from Mom jeans to mini dresses and oversized tailoring.
Meanwhile, at the shows in September and more recently in Berlin and Copenhagen, fashion folk teamed their colourful spongy sneakers with chunky white sports socks, juxtaposed with elegant, feminine dresses or taken to full athleisure extremes and worn with tracksuits and caps.
The oversized style is certainly reminiscent of '90s sportswear but due to the chunky, spongy soles, they are being likened more to something your Dad or Grandpa would have worn during the decade.
If you are prepared to embrace the chunky shoe (and, by the way, are ready to step into a world of comfort), here are five ways to wear them and 10 we'd love to shop.
1. Embrace athleisure
As stylishly proven by Attico's Gilda Ambrosio, the 'Dad' trainer can look impossibly chic when worn in an athletic fashion. Pair with chunky, sporty socks and an oversized T-shirt, but add elegant, ladylike accessories (including dainty earrings and a satin clutch) for a glamorous edge.
2. Make it feminine
Clash the masculinity of the shoe with floaty, ladylike dresses and skirts.
3. Bring them into the office
With the exception of slippers, these are probably the most comfortable and casual shoes you can get away with wearing, but that doesn't mean they can't be smartened up. Do this by wearing with pencil skirts and smart jackets.
4. Make them work for the evening
Bella Hadid is proof that your 'Dad' trainers are not just for daywear. Team with low-denier tights, LBDs and chic tailored pieces if you want to dress them up after dark.
5. Bookmark them as your weekend shoe
While they might be getting a reputation for being the next ugly shoe, there is no denying the 'Dad' trainer's comfort or its ease of wearability. Take your cue from Kendall Jenner and keep it simple – wear with ripped jeans, a plain T-shirt and a chic jacket, ideal for running around in all weekend.
