The Designer "Ugly" Shoes Women Pay a Premium to Wear
Yep, we’re here to talk about “ugly” shoes again. Regardless of your views on “dad” sneakers, the population at large is apparently very much for them. Yep, we recently tapped the experts at luxury consignment mecca The RealReal to pull data on the designer shoes in general that people pay a premium to own, and a pair of “dad” sneakers took the cake.
“Luxury sneakers continue to dominate the resale market, with the ubiquitous dad sneaker still reigning supreme,” said The RealReal Chief Merchant Rati Levesque. “Waiting lists skyrocketed this past year for cult styles like the Louis Vuitton Archlights, Alexander McQueen Larry Low-Top Sneakers, and the Balenciaga Triple S, which is still selling for 10% above retail on average.”
So, there you have it: It’s the multicolored Balenciaga clunksters that people will drop serious cash for in the resale world, because they often sell out elsewhere in a range of sizes. For reference, the sneakers cost around $895 on average, but go for upward of $995 on The RealReal.
What do you think of the sneakers? Do you already love them? On the fence? Well, if you’re looking for inspiration to possible make them your own, keep scrolling to check out how fashion girls are wearing the kicks now. Plus, shop the “ugly” shoes on The RealReal, along with other silhouettes worth considering now.
Elevate your Balenciaga sneakers with trousers and a smart camel coat.
Pair your kicks with patent pants and a cool coat for a forward vibe.
The Balenciaga sneakers look great with cropped jeans to really show them off.
You can't go wrong with this outfit formula—a bomber jacket, a printed dress, and the famous kicks.
Yep, you just may want to live in this cozy ensemble all season long.
Shop more "dad" sneakers:
Next, check out the one handbag style women pay a premium to own.
Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent 10 years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises.
-
This Sneaker Trend Will Be Front-Page News This Spring—Guaranteed
Add a pair to your rotation now.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
My Word of 2025 Is "Sophisticated," and These 34 Pieces Are the Definition
Think structured bags, hourglass shapes, and classic tailoring.
By Caitlin Burnett
-
Treating Yourself? What to Buy From the New Designer Collections Before They Sell Out
I'm kind of a pro at this.
By Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour
-
No Offense to Sambas, But Gen Z Is Crowning These 5 Styles the It Sneakers of 2025
These shoes are meant for walking.
By Ana Escalante
-
I'm Refining My Wardrobe—36 Staples I'm Eyeing for 2025
Polished is the word.
By Caitlin Burnett
-
I Never Thought I'd Wear This Weird Sneaker Trend, But I Can't Stop Getting Compliments on It
They're kooky in the best, most Miu Miu way.
By Tara Gonzalez
-
Elsa Hosk's Already Wearing 2025's First Viral Sneaker Trend
For $80? Say less.
By Eliza Huber
-
This Is How to Wear Chunky Sneakers in Paris Without Looking Like a Tourist
Aka, how to blend in with the French citizens.
By Allyson Payer