A Complete Guide to the ‘Ugly Shoe’ Trend
If you know anything about fashion, you will be familiar with the ‘ugly shoe’ phenomenon that has been featured in the fashion world for many years. Whether you love or hate them, there is no denying that these footwear options, primarily designed for function rather than style, have cemented their place in popular trends.
From the classic Crocs to ultra-casual Birkenstock and the ever-divisive ugly sneakers, nothing stops you from embracing these unique shoes and loving them too.
What is the ‘Ugly Shoe’ Trend?
For many years, shoes considered to be ugly in style and design have started their own revolution. Known as the ‘ugly shoe’ trend, classics like UGGS, Birkenstock, and Crocs have built their own cult following that refuses to change their allegiance.
Many styles in this trend have received modern makeovers, often stripping them of their negative reputation. But regardless of how you feel, there is no denying their dominance and influence on the runway and street style.
Favorable Benefits
A significant reason these footwear options have gained the reputation they have is that their design was primarily driven by function rather than style. They were created to serve a purpose for wearers, who often found themselves in situations that required extended time on their feet, harsh weather conditions, or environments that required extra features for function and reliability.
Many have subsequently been redesigned to include more fashion-forward features, with the likes of Crocs and Birkenstock being on the receiving end of high-profile collaborations with top designers and fashion labels. But their guaranteed comfort and reliability have always remained strong.
Styles
While many shoes could fall under the ‘ugly shoe’ label, there are popular designs that have always been considered perfect examples of this trend. But don’t let the title fool you; they all contain valuable benefits that make them worth buying.
Sneakers
The ugly sneaker, or dad sneaker, is a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. Each season, it gains more supporters as they tend to differ a fair amount from the other shoes currently sitting in your wardrobe. When styling, there are two routes you can take.
First, you can choose to go neutral. Beige, brown, or black straight-leg tailored pants or jeans paired with a graphic tee and bomber jacket will keep you looking incredibly chic and casual for a day around town. For an added bonus, choose something in your outfit to match an accent on your sneakers.
Alternatively, you can choose to go big and bold, creating contrast with color blocking and matching different but complementing shades that play off one another, including a pair of vibrant sneakers.
Sandals
If you feel like Crocs have been around forever, it is because they have been. But the Crocs available today are a far cry from the basic, standard design we were all introduced to in the beginning.
From platforms to clogs, bright and bold colors to soft pastels and animal prints, it has never been easier to style these ultra-comfortable sandals. Pair them with a fun summer dress, jeans shorts, and a graphic tee, or with your favorite bikini for a day at the beach.
If Crocs don’t thrill you, you can never go wrong with classic Birkenstock. Made from luxury leather and suede, with a comfortable and cushioned cork footbed, it will feel like you are walking on a cloud.
The key to styling them is to keep your look very casual. Baggy loose shirts, boho accessories, and flowing summer dresses are excellent picks.
Uggs
In the 2000s, you couldn’t find anyone who didn’t own a pair of UGG boots. From Paris Hilton to Beyonce, they were a staple in wardrobes, worn throughout the year. While they disappeared from popularity for a period of time, the introduction of a mini platform UGG has helped bring them back as a must-have footwear option.
With a stylish chunky platform sole and shorter in length, the new and improved UGG boot is far more versatile. Pair them with chic flared jeans and a comfy sweater or slouchy white socks, shorts, and a sweatshirt for a day of errands.
Clogs
Clogs were a major trend in the 1970s, and in the last two or three years, they have made a successful comeback into the fashion world. The traditional wooden clogs are long gone. Nowadays, they are bigger and bolder, with their statement chunky heels and unmistakable sound.
If you are unsure how to style them, take inspiration from the past and pair them with flared jeans and a chic button-down or with your favorite summer dress for cocktails with the girls.
Mules
Mules are a style of shoes that could easily go either way on the ‘ugly shoe’ scale. They can look incredibly chic or a little odd, depending on how you انداز them. A fan favorite of the 90s, they can be flat, heeled, or chunky.
Because they tend to look clunky and awkward due to the lack of back, style them with long jeans or long dresses to conceal this unusual feature without hiding the shoe , alternatively, a chic jumpsuit or calf-length cocktail dress with let them shine.
