Dads aren’t always the coolest, but their sneakers are

Notorious for being big, bulky and just plain ugly, dad sneakers are a new trend that is taking the fashion world by storm. While they were worn by dads in the 80’s and 90’s, today, celebrities as well as average teenagers can be seen sporting these shoes while they grab a cup of coffee or catch a movie. Although some find these sneakers hideous, others are embracing the ugliness and are enjoying the height the shoes give them and the diverse styles offered.

While the most popular brand of dad sneakers for teens is fila, many other shoe companies, such as Steve Madden, and Nike have jumped on the trend. Dad sneakers come in all colors, but the most popular is white.

The interest in the shoes is their retro appearance. According to a USA Today article, they “look like they’ve come straight out of your father’s ’80s wardrobe.” The bulky and casual look of the shoes appeals to people who enjoy looking trendy but want it to seem like they put no effort into their outfit.

While brands like Nike and Steve Madden are selling these shoes for relatively inexpensive prices of $70-$150, luxury brands, such as Balenciaga and Gucci have started selling them for pretty steep prices $800 to almost $1000. The large price range allows people to pick shoes at a price they see fit.

Experts say that the trend began in 2014 when Stan Smiths were re-released by Adidas. Like the typical dad sneakers, Stan Smiths were popular decades ago and were thought of as ugly until celebrities and influencers started showing them off.  The rise of Stan Smiths and the idea that something that was once ugly could come back as trendy is what inspired the clunky, athletic looking dad sneakers that are so popular right now.