#DadShoes
The “dad shoe” trend—chunky, retro sneakers reminiscent of 1990s performance footwear—dominated fashion from 2017-2020. Balenciaga’s Triple S pioneered the aesthetic, followed by Fila Disruptor, Nike M2K Tekno, and New Balance 990s.
Origins
The term “dad shoe” referenced middle-aged men’s preference for comfortable, unstylish sneakers like New Balance 624s. Luxury brands ironically embraced this anti-fashion aesthetic, subverting minimalist sneaker trends.
Key Players
- Balenciaga Triple S (2017, $850-$995, started the trend)
- Fila Disruptor II (2018, $65, affordable alternative)
- Nike M2K Tekno (2018, $100, retro running silhouette)
- Yeezy Boost 700 (2017, $300, Kanye’s chunky contribution)
- New Balance 990v5 (2019, $185, heritage Americana)
Cultural Debates
The dad shoe sparked endless discourse:
- Irony vs. sincerity: Were people wearing them seriously or as a joke?
- Comfort vs. style: Did functionality justify ugly aesthetics?
- Class coding: Luxury dad shoes ($850) vs. actual dad shoes ($65)
Decline
By 2021, the trend shifted toward sleeker retro runners (New Balance 550, Adidas Samba). The maximalist dad shoe gave way to “grandpa chic” minimalism.
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