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Another day, another millennial vs Gen Z fashion standoff that's making me question everything I thought I knew.

Let me preface by saying I'm absolutely here for the trainer movement. I'm obsessed with my green Adidas SL 72 and my pink-and-red Alohas.

I wear them to work, out to dinner, sometimes even to dressy events. The sneaker revolution? I'm fully enlisted.

But lately, I've been clocking the cool Gen Z girls at work rocking these massive, chunky sneakers – the kind I'd usually reserve for the gym or a weekend run.

Watch: Our experts on their latest fashion critical hot takes. Post continues below.

As an elder millennial, I have history with the daggy-dad style sneakers. Primary school flashbacks, the kind that make you simultaneously nostalgic and slightly cringey.

They also remind me of Jerry Seinfeld in the '90s with his infamous jeans-and-sneakers combo, which at the time felt like the height of dad fashion.

Jerry Seinfeld peak 90's fashion. Image: Pinterest @seinfeldsneakers

But the cool young folk are wearing them to work and are pairing theirs with baggy jeans, flowing dresses, basically everything.

And the only way I can describe them without sounding completely awful is... well, they're a bit ugly.

Then, during my weekly date with British Vogue, I saw them announce a certain type of trainers that are about to be "everywhere". When I clicked through, I actually gasped.

Enter the Nike Shox R4.

L-R: Getty, Instagram @sofiamcoelho / @allabxutfashixn.

They're the Nike Shox R4, and they do fall into that Gen Z "I'm on my way to crossfit" not work category.

But perhaps more shocking? They have actual shock absorbers on the bottom. Literal rubber cushioning plugs that look like they were borrowed from a moon boot from NASA.

That also remind me a little bit of the footing of a bedside table.

It's as if someone decided regular soles weren't bouncy enough and thought, "You know what this shoe needs? Literal suspension."

Which makes sense when you are performing a high-impact sport. But as street fashion?

The slightly shocking shock absorbers. Image: Nike

Consulting the Gen Z Council.

I had to reach out to our Gen Z council here at Mamamia to understand this trend and get the word on the street, literally and figuratively.

Our very fashion-forward Entertainment writer (and certified Gen Z oracle) Chelsea Hui broke it down for me:

"On a broader level, I think it's probably a rejection of traditional beauty standards," she explained. "A way to reclaim what being fashionable means."

Okay, this is deep, and I'm kind of here for it.

"On a personal level, I think a lot of the ugly-cute trends (like the chunky dad sneakers) lean more into a casual, street-style vibe that I just prefer."

Gen Z really are so cool. I hope to be more like them when I (eventually) grow up.

L-R: Getty /Pinterest @charlotte_oliv / @emillyerdn.

The Ugly-Cool Roundup.

So here are the British Vogue-backed shoes in question, along with an ugly-cool roundup of sneaker recommendations from the cool Gen Z crew I work with, plus how they'd style them.

Get ready to take notes and possibly question everything you thought you knew about footwear:

The British Vogue backed Nike Shox R4, $200.

Image: Nike

Salomon XT-6, $299.99.

Image: Hype

"I really want to get these brown Salomon XT6's. They're such a comfy shoe and look so good with baggy pants and jeans (or you can even use them as god actually intended and go for a hike)." our Gen Z News Writer Ailish Delaney shared.

ASICS Gel-Cumulus 16, $273.

Image: FARFETCH

"I don't have these shoes yet but they WILL BE MINE! I would deffs style them with a matching denim set,"

"I like the contrast of denim and burgendy at the moment, but I would also love to style them with a suede beige bomber jacket and blue jeans,"

"I feel like they would be such a vibe with neutrals and make the best statement chunky shoe!" Alysha Butera our Gen Z Brand Partnerships Executive said.

Nike P-6000, $180.

Image: JD Sports

"I love everything brown at the moment, I truly believe its here to stay,"

"I'd wear these with baggy pants casually, but they can also double as gym shoes which is a plus."

"I think in summer when you're dressing more simply - an ugly sneaker can be the star of the show." Lucy Ballenden our Gen Z Editorial Assistant revealed.

Onitsuka Tiger Big Logo Trainers 2.0, $240.

Image: The Iconic

"These are the perfect embodiment of ugly-cool – they're so aggressively unfashionable that they've circled back to being kind of iconic,"

"They've got the classic onitsuka tiger style, but make it gaudy. I'd go full maximalist with baggy jeans with an oversized hoodie or t-shirt." words of wisdom from our Gen Z oracle Chelsea Hui.

Nike ACG Phassad 'Cave Stone Aluminium' Sneakers, $180.

Image: Incu

"There are many reasons these shoes are so cool,"

"One being the colour way, even the name being 'Cave Stone Aluminium' like that speaks for itself."

"Two, this is a statement piece, they can be dressed up or down with a pair of baggy jeans or jorts or even with your activewear for a hot girl walk."

"Lastly, they are comfortable and ideal for all terrains aka the club or the office." As decreed by our resident cool girly and Social Producer Isabelle Dolphin.

New Balance 204, $189.99.

Image: Hype

"I just got these New Balance in the mushroom colourway. I love them and they are basically the dupe of the Miu Mius!" Our fashion forward Senior Commercial Video Producer Cristina Aguilar confirmed.

The verdict.

Will I be trading my sleek Adidas for some bouncy Shox? Unlikely.

But one thing's certain, as per usual Gen Z has me questioning everything I thought I knew about what makes a shoe "cool."

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Feature Image: Getty.

To hear more fashion takes, opinions, news and views from Annaliese Todd, you can read more here.