It takes a real eye to appreciate the imperfect as much as beauty. It’s for this reason fashion has always had an obsession with items that are wayward, or even, ugly. This especially goes for footwear. What else could explain Uggs, Crocs, Doc Martins, and yes, the newest trend, daddy sneakers?
They are chunky, grubby, heavy and unbelievably unflattering. They are the ultimate star of the 80s movie — think Ferris Bueller’s Day Off — and every designer is now making them. Currently, the most popular variation is Balenciaga’s Triple S. The $900 sneakers sell out as quickly as they become available. On the secondary market the Triple S goes for even twice as much.
Vetements offers a pair of norm-core daddy kicks through a collaboration with Reebok, which are arguably even more ugly than the Triple S and cost $950. There is the brightly colored Nike Lab x Comme des Garçon for $250 but just a few sizes still remain.
This trend shows little sign of letting up. Gucci just showcased their own iteration of daddy sneakers. They are as big and bulky as this season’s version but they have the added element of draped jewels. Do the gems make you want them even more?
Maybe ugly designer sneakers are just another way to entice customers with ugly designer socks. After all, it’s the imperfect that makes beauty interesting.
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