How to Style Chunky Trainers: The Rules That Actually Work

Chunky trainers are the most polarising thing in your wardrobe. Done well, they are bold, confident and genuinely exciting. Done badly, they look like you borrowed your dad's shoes. The difference between the two outcomes comes down to a few simple principles that, once understood, make chunky trainers one of the most rewarding things you can wear.

This is the guide to getting it right.

The appeal of the chunky trainer is rooted in contrast. A thick, substantial sole creates a visual anchor at the bottom of an outfit — it grounds the look and gives it weight. When the rest of the outfit is slim and considered, that contrast is genuinely striking.

There is also something about the proportions of a chunky trainer that is inherently satisfying. The thick midsole, the layered upper, the substantial outsole — these are shoes that look like they mean business. They have presence.

New Balance 9060 — The most covetable chunky trainer of the moment. Layered suede and mesh upper, substantial midsole, premium construction. The colourways are consistently excellent — muted, considered, and immediately wearable.

Asics Gel-Kayano 14 — The most in-demand retro silhouette right now. The Kayano 14 was a serious running shoe in the late 90s; today it is a fashion icon. The chunky proportions and premium materials make it one of the best options in the category.

New Balance 2002R — Slightly less chunky than the 9060, but with a distinctive look that has made it a consistent favourite. The N-ergy cushioning technology gives it a slightly elevated profile that reads as chunky without being overwhelming.

Salomon XT-6 — For those who want their chunky trainer to carry technical credentials. The XT-6 is a genuine trail running shoe that has crossed over into fashion. The gorpcore aesthetic it brings is a perfect complement to the chunky trend.

Nike Air Max 270 — The tallest Air unit Nike has ever made creates a naturally chunky profile. The 270 is a more mainstream option than the New Balance or Asics silhouettes, but it is consistently well-executed.

The most common mistake with chunky trainers is wearing them with wide-leg trousers or a full skirt that covers the shoe. The whole point of a chunky trainer is its silhouette — if you hide it, you lose the effect.

Wear chunky trainers with slim or straight-leg trousers, cropped lengths, or midi skirts that show the ankle and the shoe. The trainer needs to be visible to do its job.

A chunky trainer is a statement piece. It does not need competition. Keep the rest of your outfit clean and considered — a simple tee, a fitted jumper, a classic coat. The more restrained the outfit, the more powerful the trainer.

This does not mean boring. A beautifully cut pair of straight-leg jeans and a great cashmere jumper, with a pair of New Balance 9060s, is a genuinely excellent outfit. The simplicity is the point.

Chunky trainers work particularly well with oversized or relaxed pieces on top. An oversized blazer or a boxy sweatshirt, with slim trousers and chunky trainers, creates a silhouette that is interesting and balanced.

The key is to keep the volume in one place. If the top is oversized, the bottom should be slim. If the trousers are wide, the top should be fitted. And the chunky trainer anchors the whole thing.

Chunky trainers in neutral colourways — grey, cream, navy, olive — are the most versatile. They work with a wider range of outfits and are easier to build a look around.

Bold colourways — bright orange, electric blue, vivid green — are more directional. They work best when the rest of the outfit is very simple and in a complementary or neutral tone.

One of the most effective ways to wear chunky trainers is in deliberate contrast with something more elevated. A silk midi skirt with chunky trainers. A tailored blazer with chunky trainers. A cashmere jumper with chunky trainers.

The contrast between the refinement of the upper garment and the boldness of the trainer is the whole point. It signals that you are someone who understands fashion well enough to break its rules deliberately.

Formula One: The Classic Straight-leg jeans + simple tee or sweatshirt + chunky trainers. The most wearable option. Works for almost every occasion.

Formula Two: The Elevated Casual Tailored trousers (slim or straight) + fitted knit + chunky trainers. Smarter than the jeans option, but still relaxed enough for everyday wear.

Formula Three: The High-Low Midi skirt (floaty or structured) + simple top + chunky trainers. The most directional option. Works brilliantly when the skirt is in a complementary tone to the trainer.

Formula Four: The Oversized Oversized blazer or coat + slim trousers + chunky trainers. The volume of the outerwear and the volume of the trainer balance each other perfectly.

Formula Five: The Sporty Joggers or tracksuit bottoms + fitted top + chunky trainers. The most casual option, but done well — with quality pieces and a considered colourway — it is genuinely excellent.

Beyond New Balance and Asics, keep an eye on Saucony (the Grid Shadow 2 is having a significant moment), Nike (the Air Max range consistently delivers chunky options), and Adidas (the Ozweego and Response CL are both generating interest).

For the most directional chunky options, Salomon and Hoka are the brands to watch. Both bring technical credentials to the chunky aesthetic that give their trainers a distinctive edge.

Chunky trainers reward confidence. They are not subtle shoes, and they do not work with a subtle approach to styling. Commit to the look, keep the rest of the outfit considered, and let the trainer do what it is designed to do.

Done right, a pair of chunky trainers is one of the most exciting things you can wear. Done wrong, it is just a heavy shoe. The difference is in the details.