Skate Shoes Are The New Y2K Trend Revived By Sneaker-Loving Gen Zers
Calling all sk8er bois! The next Y2K throwback trend is for you. We’ve seen the revival of everything from low-rise jeans to toe ring sandals, but now, the skate shoes of the early 2000s — in all their puffy, chunky, padded glory — may just be the next big sneaker trend to watch.
If you need a refresher, allow me to set the scene: you’re home after school watching Avril Lavigne on TRL, admiring her grungy, emo aesthetic. You throw out your butterfly clips because you, too, are now filled with angst.
Next thing you know, you’re roaming the mall with your friends, who are all wearing chunky DC and Etnies sneakers in varying colors (none of which have ever touched an actual skateboard). The sneakers are huge, the tongues are fat, and the laces loose. It’s a vibe, you’re a rebel, you blast Blink 182 on your iPod Mini to complete the scene.
Skater shoes like the Osiris D3 2001 and DC Court Graffik ruled the early 2000s, ushering in a new wave of skateboard sneakers that were a far contrast from the Vans Old Skools or Tony Hawk’s Airwalks of decades past. Celebrities like Avril Lavigne and Ashlee Simpson got in on the trend too, making the chunky skate shoe a unisex style.
With the rise of lug-sole dad sneakers, it’s no surprise that big skate shoes may be the next throwback style to be revitalized. The “skater aesthetic” has been trending on TikTok and #SkateTok — and if past TikTok aesthetics like coastal grandmother, cottagecore, and soft girl are any indicators, a larger takeover is coming.
Bella Hadid has already adapted the style, topping off a grunge, ‘90s-inspired outfit with black skate shoes that featured a