The Comeback of Chunky Shoes

story and photo by Vu Huynh

I recently purchased two of the three pairs of new shoes from the Nike x CPFM collection. They are such weird shoes, from the design to the color scheme and materials, that when I first got them, my family criticized them a lot.

I don’t think they look good, but they are special.

The shoes are part of the chunky shoe trend that has faded in recent years. They represent ridiculous, bold shoes, but they also show a creativity that I wish would come back.

Minimalism has dominated almost everything in fashion lately. For example, the “vintage” style, with classic sneakers and paper-thin soles, has become the norm. These designs are advertised as simple and elegant, but to me, they also feel soulless.

They lack personality and, to be honest, comfort. Many times I have seen people having to put a band-aid on the back of their heels to avoid the friction of the thin heels. Or I’ve seen them having to take off their shoes because it is really no different than not wearing any shoes at all, considering how thin the soles are. No cushioning hurts.

Minimalism had its time, but now it is everywhere and to me it is saturated, predictable and lacks the creativity that fashion should have.

I believe that fashion moves in cycles, and after experiencing simplicity, people will start to crave something different again. I’m pulling for chunky shoes to rise again and start appearing in everyone’s closets.

For me, chunky shoes represent freedom, comfort instead of constraint. I am sure that the next big shift in fashion will not be towards something quiet anymore. It will be towards something louder, heavier and proudly bold.

That can’t happen too soon, in my opinion, and the Nike x CPFM collection is showing the way.