The"Ugly Shoes": a new trend and what they really are

Among the footwear news, a new trend is emerging: the ugly shoes.

But what are they really? Ugly shoes are a category of shoes, mostly sandals that are commonly worn for occasions in which comfort is needed: staying at home, gardening, going to the countryside or just going for a walk. As a matter of fact, they’re characterized by a high degree of comfort and their details make these shoes easy to wear. In Fact they have: a rubber sole, an orthopedic plant and velcro laces. Among the classic ugly shoes we list: The Birkenstock Arizona and Boston, Crocs and Teva’ sandals.

Even though the design of these ugly shoes, as the classification suggests, is not pleasing to the eye, they are nonetheless very interesting shoes. So much so as to spark the interest of many fashion designers and celebrities. Thanks to their interpretation, the perception we have of these shoes has shifted from considering them an anti-aesthetic product to value them as an extremely cool element to add to our outfit.

An example of their increasing popularity is the one of Balenciaga. The designer of the luxury French Maison, Demna Gvsalia, decided to start a collaboration with Crocs, creating an entire line dedicated to this partnership: Crocs Boots, Hardcrocs Sandal, Crocs Madame 80MM and lastly Pool Crocs sandals.

Even Justin Bieber’s brand Drew House has released a pair of classic Crocs. The sandals are accessorized with graphic elements or characters from the imaginary of Drew House. These elements are removable and inserted in the holes on the foot floak of the shoes, which make them customizable and very playful.

Instead Dior Homme has surprised everybody in the last Fall/Winter22 Show revealing an unexpected collaboration with Birkenstock. The partnership demonstrates how ugly shoes are becoming desirable and interesting. Kim Jones, Dior Homme’s designer, decided to reinterpret the classic Tokyo and Milano Birkenstock and insert them in his last collection. Jones didn’t particularly change the design of the shoes but he revolutionized the perception we have of them: they’re no more a shoes made for gardening, but instead a refined and luxurious product enriched by the embroideries of the prestigious parisian atelier Broderies Vermont.

Lastly also the contribution of celebrities and influences has made our perception of these shoes change, and consequently also their use. Before these shoes were destined for a domestic use or for activities that didn’t include social events, now instead they are extremely cool and they seem to be essential in our wardrobe.

To conclude the ugly shoes are no more a scandalous flip flop for hiking, but they are now considered the most trendy and desirable shoes for the approaching warm season.