How to style chunky sneakers❣️
I'm sharing some of my favorite looks and ideas! 🗞️
Lwany from Petite Fashion Weekly™
March 11, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes
Hi Shortie,
Do you have any plans for Spring Break? Last week, I was in Palm Springs for Modernism Week. I toured a couple of stunning homes and did some vintage shopping.
I bought mostly winter clothing, knowing full well we were entering Spring, but I wasn’t about to pass up on those gems. Upon popular request, I’ll be doing a haul soon, so keep an eye on Petite Fashion Digest™’s feed.
The trip was fun but exhausting. I’m so happy to be back in the groove, making progress on the brand directory and personal styling service!
In researching the latter, I noticed some personal style books tend to have a separate section for petite and plus-size women. It’s thoughtful the authors want to be inclusive, but I feel like it flattens the nuances of our experiences.
Not all petite or plus-size women have the same style challenges. And what about those who fall at the intersection of both? I don’t mean to speak for plus-size women, but it’s safe to say our experiences differ from those of straight-sized women. I’d even argue that plus-size women have it harder than we do.
Our biggest issue is excess fabric—too-long sleeves and extra inches on hems. But plus-size women's struggle is often a lack of fabric. Shortening a garment is often doable, but adding material? Not so much.
Finding petite clothing is already challenging, but petite plus-size clothing is nearly impossible. Of the 200+ brands I’ve tracked down that offer petite sizes, barely a handful carry petite plus garments.
I won’t pretend my personal styling service will suit all Shorties. Styling short women who are also plus-sized requires expertise beyond petite fashion, and until I do the research into plus-size fashion, I wouldn’t feel right making that claim.
Could my service still be helpful to just about anyone? Definitely, but I’m in it for the Shorties!
Sincerely short,
Lwany
P.S. I’ll be selling some of my preloved gems this weekend in LA – come say hi❣️
I don't wish to be everything to everyone, but I would like to be something to someone.
SHORT QUESTION
Q: I’d love to see a post on wearing chunky sneakers (especially with denim) for Shorties!
I have chronic back/foot pain that forces me to wear my Hoka Bondi 7s most of the time since they’re the only shoe I’ve found that helps.
I feel like they ruin every outfit I put on, and I feel so stuck!
– Rebecca
A: I totally feel you on this! It’s frustrating when style takes a backseat to comfort, but health is wealth.
As I enter my wiser years, I realize that I won’t always be able to wear every shoe I want.
The only chunky sneakers I have experience styling are my Stella McCartney Eclypse sneakers, so I did a deep dive into my camera roll to analyze my past outfits. A few patterns emerged:
– Activewear
No surprise—chunky sneakers pair seamlessly with activewear. Think leggings, bike shorts, and sporty sets.
– Athleisure
Dad-style sneakers look good with dad-inspired sweats – shocker, lol!
A tailored outerwear piece (like a blazer, trench, or longline coat) refines the look.
I personally love how wide-leg sweats cover most of the shoe, leaving just a triangle of the toe peeking out.
Another option is to pair polished wide-leg pants with a hoodie or sweatshirt to match the vibe of the sneakers. This keeps the look cohesive while adding a bit of refinement.
– Feminine
If you don’t want to match the sporty vibe, contrast it!
Try pairing your sneakers with a skirt or dress—almost as if you were going to wear flats. The mix of sporty and feminine always makes for an interesting look.
HOW TO FIND OUTFIT IDEAS
Whenever I’m stumped on styling an item, I go down a Google and Pinterest rabbit hole. Start specific, then broaden out:
Hoka Bondi 7 outfits → Hoka outfits → Chunky sneaker outfits
Most of what you’ll find will be on tall, slender bodies, so you’ll have to mentally translate those shapes to your proportions. That’s a skill in itself, and I’m working on the best way to break it down in my upcoming styling program.
The best way to refine your eye is through trial and error. Save outfits you love, set aside time for a styling session, and experiment. There’s something to be said for making styling sessions part of a weekly self-care routine—but that’s a topic for another day!
After looking up Hoka outfits, these pieces stood out as solid pairings:
– Potential Pairing: Blazers
– Potential Pairing: Oversized Jackets
– Potential Pairing: Wide Leg Pants
Notice a pattern? Menswear-inspired styles. That might just be the key.
As for jeans—I didn’t find anything compelling. But since we know wide-leg pants work well, I’d suggest trying wide-leg jeans for a similar effect.
Please keep us posted—I’d love to see what outfits you come up with!
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