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How to Style Sneakers, Depending on Your Fashion Aesthetic

This is a sponsored feature. All opinions are 100% from Her Campus.

Wearing sneakers doesn’t mean you’re limited to athleisure – in fact, when done right, you can wear sneakers with everything from a suit to a date night ensemble. Case in point: the FILA Disruptor 2 that’s been blowing up your Instagram feed. It has had a tremendous resurgence globally, which means the “chunky sneaker” trend is officially back. Though originally a ‘90s shoe, we’re all about the next generation embracing this stylish footwear – and influencers have definitely gotten creative with their sneaker-apparel combinations.

Don’t brush off this trend as either too trendy or unconventional for you to try. The truth is that you can wear a good chunky sneaker with pretty much anything and it’s totally going to elevate your outfit. To give you some inspo, our editors styled chunky sneakers three ways catered to different fashion aesthetics, so you can slip into this trend with ease.

LA Edgy

Maggie Scenna

If you favor baggy jeans over skinny and regularly find yourself in a band tee, your go-to outfits tend to have an edgy, grunge vibe. Chunky sneakers blend perfectly into this aesthetic, not surprisingly since LA cool girls are the OG stans of oversized shoes.

Start by pairing your Disruptor 2 with white jeans and a casual crop top, but make sure to add in accessories for texture – think chain detailing and statement sunnies. It’s totally fine to let the sneakers be the focal point of your outfit instead of just a last-minute thing you put on while getting ready to leave the house. In the spirit of true fashion-forward influencers, just let your shoes be their own moment.

City Chic

Gina Escandon

If your aesthetic is city chic, you gravitate towards understated looks with a limited color palette. You’re not afraid to invest in well-fitted pieces that will last you a few years, and you love a good burst of accessories. For this style, pair your chunky sneakers with sophisticated denim and a boxy-fit shirt, like this ruffled side-tie top with blush stripes. Because chunky sneakers add a lot of thickness on the bottom, you can go pretty top-heavy while styling to balance it out – and maybe even throw in a neck scarf.

Sure, you might be tempted grab a strappy sandal or mule for walking the city streets, but chunky sneakers can totally work with the midi-dress or sophisticated frock in your fashion wheelhouse. Think: polished, but not taking yourself too seriously.

Beach Town Chill

Rachel Lewis

If every day is casual Friday and you prioritize comfort over anything else, beach town chill is an ideal aesthetic for sneaker-wearing. With fashion faves centered on white tees, faded black denim, sunglasses and a good mini-backpack to tote your essentials, this look is lowkey enough to pass for a stroll on the boardwalk or day bouncing around campus. Everything is low maintenance and effortless – but in a way that doesn’t look sloppy. This is clearly a look, just one for the ladies who want to wear sneakers as part of their outfit instead of the focal point.

Are you feeling inspired yet? Whatever your fashion aesthetic, everyone needs a pair of chunky sneaks. If you’re ready to hop on the trend, you can grab your own pair of the FILA Disruptor 2 here in pink, white or black. Just a warning: They’ll look so good with everything, you’ll probably never take them off.

Gina was formerly the Beauty & Culture Editor at Her Campus, where she oversaw content and strategy for the site's key verticals. She was also the person behind @HerCampusBeauty, and all those other glowy selfies you faved. She got her start in digital media as a Campus Correspondent at HC Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she graduated in 2017 with degrees in English and Theater. Now, Gina is an LA-based writer and editor, and you can regularly find her wearing a face mask in bed and scrolling through TikTok.