The Rise of the Dad Shoe

Though clean, minimal looks have been all the rage within the past few years, a new, not-so-sleek trend is rising: the dad shoe. It's everything a minimalist would hate: clunky, chunky, and, honestly, downright ugly. From the bulging silhouettes to the mixed materials, these shoes certainly provide a stark contrast to current slimmer favorites, such as the ever-popular Common Projects.

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Perhaps the most popular high-fashion dad shoe model is the Raf Simons x adidas Ozweego. First released in 2013, the Ozweegos were likely the shoe that kicked off this trend. Since then, they have come out in a multitude of colorways and have been seen on several celebrities, including Kanye West, A$AP Rocky, and Quavo.

Another popular model is the Balenciaga Triple S. Balenciaga is no stranger to releasing odd pieces; ever since Demna Gvasalia took over as creative director in 2015, Balenciaga has constantly been in the news for its designs, from the Ikea bag ripoff to the ultra-high platform Crocs. However, unlike these two pieces, the Triple S really took off; they're sold out at most retailers and are often going for almost twice their retail price on resale sites such as Grailed or Depop. 

With every new season, more and more designers are releasing their own versions of the chunky sneaker, indicating that the trend is here to stay for a while. However, there's no need to pay exorbitant prices just to look like a dad at a barbecue. For those who want a more affordable alternative, the Reebok Instapump Fury and New Balance 990 are great options.

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