Featured Image Credit: PYMCA/Avalon / Contributor / via Getty
Topics: Fashion, Gen Z, Life, Style, Social Media
Rhiannon Ingle
Topics: Fashion, Gen Z, Life, Style, Social Media
Like it or lump it, it's simply a fact of life that fashion trends exist in a 20-year cycle.
And, given the fact we're slap-bang in the middle of the 2020s, it's only natural for many fashionistas to be looking to the early 2000s for style inspo.
We're all already very aware of the popularity of the Y2K era – think backless butterfly tops, low-rise jeans, velour tracksuits and boob tubes – but there's a lesser-known trend from that period of time which is seeing its very own renaissance, and it has people divided.
In terms of the footwear department, the early 2000s fashion scene has become synonymous with Ugg boots, chunky trainers and platform flip-flops, but there's another shoe silhouette on the block known as the 'ballet sneaker flat' – the 'sneakerina', if you will.
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While it may have been slightly more underground and niche earlier in 2025, it's clear that it's totally mainstream in 2026 after a bunch of huge brands have hopped on the trend, including Puma, which has released the 'SpeedCat Ballerina', Adidas and their 'Barrada Mary Jane', or the Onitsuka Tiger 'Mexico 66' model.
Regardless, not everyone seems on board with one social media user declaring: "All the ballet sneakers are ugly af."
"I’m convinced ppl only like them bc they’re expensive. They’re the ugliest shoes ever I’m sorry," slammed a second, as a third jabbed: "Ugly af. My eyes are severely hurt."
A fourth piped up: "Ugly, not feminine at all."
Many others, however, myself included, couldn't have disagreed more.
"The ballet flat Puma sneakers are so cute, and I don’t care if people think they’re ugly," defended a fifth. Meanwhile, a sixth echoed: "Idc if you think they're ugly!! I'm in love with my Puma ballet sneakers!"
Another beamed: "Pretty sure that I've seen them in the 2000s before, dope."
And a final fan gushed: "What is this 2003? I love it."
Whatever your personal take, it's clear we're all feeling very nostalgic for a time when, let's face it, many of us were teens, young children – or even babies!
Whether it's skinny jeans, capri pants, mini bags, trucker hats, baggy cargos or giant sunglasses, it's for certain that the Y2K craze is far from dying down anytime soon.
And, if the 20-year trend cycle remains true, that means that in 2030, we'll be seeing a resurgence of trends from the 2010s.
Yep, brace yourselves for owls on everything, moustache motifs, galaxy print leggings, flower crowns, flannel shirts, statement necklaces and that shade of minty teal everywhere.