Grandpa Shoes Trend Gains Fashion Momentum

The "grandpa shoe" follows the popular "dad shoe" trend, which saw a resurgence of chunky, comfortable sneakers from the '80s and '90s. Brands like New Balance and Nike, with models such as the 990 series and the Air Monarch IV, became fashion staples after being ironically adopted for their "anti-fashion" aesthetic. This style is an evolution of "normcore," a fashion movement from the early 2010s that champions unpretentious, average-looking clothing. Coined by the art collective K-HOLE, normcore rejects fleeting trends in favor of timeless, functional items like plain t-shirts, jeans, and basic sneakers. It also shares DNA with "gorpcore," a term created in 2017 to describe the trend of wearing functional outdoor gear, like fleece jackets and hiking shoes, in urban settings. This aesthetic prioritizes utilitarian design and technical fabrics from brands like Patagonia and The North Face. While "dad shoes" are often bulky running sneakers, "grandpa shoes" are typically defined as heritage walking shoes focused on quality craftsmanship and long-term wear. Brands like Mephisto and Hush Puppies, known for features like enhanced arch support and even velcro straps, have been embraced by this movement. High-fashion's adoption of the "ugly" shoe was a major catalyst, with Balenciaga's influential Triple S sneaker in 2017 marking a significant turning point. Luxury houses like Gucci, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton have also released their own high-end versions of the chunky, comfortable sneaker. Celebrities have been instrumental in popularizing the look. Style icons such as Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, and Kendall Jenner are frequently photographed wearing various styles of chunky sneakers and comfortable "dad sandals," pairing them with everything from casual wear to more formal outfits.