Why the Lanvin Curb Sneakers Are So Popular
The Lanvin Curb Sneakers are essentially a luxury version of the chunky skate shoes that dominated the early 2000s. Oversized tongue, thick rope laces, bulky sole, heavily padded panels – everything about the design is exaggerated – nothing like the minimal leather sneakers we know so well.
That’s exactly why they stand out. At a time when most sneakers became slimmer and more minimal, the Curbs went in the opposite direction and embraced the big, loud, early-2000s skate aesthetic.
But here’s the important part: the silhouette didn’t start in luxury fashion.
Long before designer brands got involved, skate companies were already making extremely padded, oversized sneakers built for durability and impact protection. One of the most famous examples is the Osiris D3 2001, a legendary skate shoe that helped define the chunky look years before the Curbs appeared.
So while the Lanvin version comes with a luxury price tag, the overall aesthetic has been around for decades. And if it’s the chunky skate silhouette you like – not the £800 logo – there are far more affordable ways to get the same look.
Budget Fashion Option: Bershka Chunky Skate Trainer
The appeal of the Lanvin Curb Sneakers largely comes down to exaggeration. Oversized rope laces, thick padding, and a bulky skate-style sole give the shoe its unmistakable early-2000s energy. It’s deliberately loud and unapologetically chunky – the exact opposite of the slim, minimal sneakers that dominated the previous decade.
The Bershka Chunky Skate Trainers take that same visual formula and translate it into a far more accessible everyday sneaker. The design leans heavily into the same skate-inspired proportions: wide sole, layered upper panels and, most noticeably, thick statement laces that instantly echo the Lanvin look. At around £40, they deliver the oversized aesthetic without the luxury markup, and the variety of colourways means you can easily find a pair that captures the same visual punch.
What to know about the Bershka Chunky Skate Trainers:
- Synthetic and textile upper construction
- Chunky skate-inspired sole
- Thick statement laces similar to the Lanvin style
- Layered panel design across the upper
- Multiple colourways and variations available
- Priced around £40
If you’re simply after the chunky skate silhouette that defines the Lanvin Curbs, this is easily the most accessible way to get the look without spending hundreds.
The Original Inspiration: Osiris D3 2001
The Lanvin Curb Sneakers look dramatic because they borrow heavily from a very specific moment in skate culture; the early 2000s era. This is when shoes became bigger, puffier, and louder with every release. Thick tongues, heavy padding, bulky panels and exaggerated proportions weren’t a luxury experiment. They were simply what skate shoes looked like.
One of the most iconic examples of that era is the Osiris D3 2001, a sneaker that became a cultural phenomenon when it launched around the turn of the millennium. The design pushed the chunky skate aesthetic to the extreme with an oversized silhouette, huge padded tongue, and heavy-duty panel construction built for durability and impact protection. The result is essentially the same visual formula that makes the Lanvin Curbs stand out today – just without the luxury label attached.
What to know about the Osiris D3 2001:
- Originally released in the early 2000s skate scene
- Extremely chunky silhouette with oversized padded tongue
- Durable layered upper panels built for skateboarding
- EVA cushioning and supportive sole construction
- Available in multiple colourways
- Typically priced around £125 (often discounted)
If you like the oversized look of the Lanvin Curbs, the D3 is the closest thing to the original blueprint – the chunky skate silhouette that existed long before luxury fashion decided it was cool.
Modern Streetwear Alternative: Puma LaFrance Moment Sneakers
The Lanvin Curb Sneakers feel dramatic because they exaggerate the chunky skate formula: oversized proportions, thick laces, padded tongues and a bulky sole. It’s essentially early-2000s skate aesthetics turned into a luxury designer sneaker.
The Puma LaFrance Moment Sneakers take that same oversized idea but package it as a modern streetwear release rather than a designer statement. Developed as part of LaMelo Ball’s lifestyle collaboration with Puma, the silhouette leans into exaggerated proportions, chunky laces and a padded build inspired by late-90s and early-2000s skate footwear. Retail sits around £100, but limited supply has pushed resale prices closer to £180 in some markets.
What to know about the Puma LaFrance Moment Sneakers:
- Leather, textile and synthetic upper construction
- Chunky streetwear silhouette inspired by Y2K skate shoes
- Thick laces and heavily padded tongue
- Full-length EVA midsole for cushioning and support
- Wraparound rubber cupsole for stability
- Retail price around £100 (often higher on resale markets)
If you want the bold proportions of the Lanvin Curbs but prefer a modern streetwear sneaker rather than a luxury label, the LaFrance Moments deliver the same oversized energy at a far more realistic price.
Final Thoughts
The Lanvin Curb Sneakers prove one thing: the chunky skate aesthetic never really disappeared – it just got a luxury price tag attached to it.
But once you strip away the branding, the formula is actually pretty simple. Oversized laces, heavy padding, bulky soles and exaggerated proportions were already staples of early-2000s skate footwear long before designer brands started revisiting the look.
That’s why affordable designer alternatives exist, so you can capture the same visual energy without pushing into £700+ territory.
In other words, if it’s the silhouette you like rather than the logo, there are plenty of ways to get the same chunky skate look – and keep several hundred pounds in your pocket.
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