Fashion Shoes So, It Looks Like 'Ugly Shoes' Aren't Going Anywhere Plus, a history of the ugliest footwear to ever walk the runway. By Andrea Cheng Andrea Cheng Andrea Cheng is a New York-based writer and editor who covers all things fashion, celebrity style, beauty, and trends. She was previously the Digital Fashion News Editor at InStyle. InStyle's editorial guidelines and Samantha Sutton Samantha Sutton Samantha is InStyle's senior fashion editor. She joined the brand in 2019 and oversees the site's fashion coverage, including trend reporting, fashion exclusives, celebrity style interviews, and Fashion Week coverage. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on May 4, 2023 @ 06:02PM Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images High-fashion footwear has evolved. Gone (mostly, but not totally) are the days when models sashayed down runways in unwearable heels. Today's top styles favor comfort and unconventional beauty above all else, with chunky sneakers, Ugg slippers, and embellished Crocs, having a moment. In fact, we'd go as far as to say that ugly shoes are in. To get a closer look at the trend, we're taking a look back at the most standout designer footwear of the past decade. I'm a Fashion Editor with a Closet Full of Shoes — But These Are My 8 Favorite Pairs From New York to Paris, we've rounded up our favorite ugly shoes straight from the fashion runways, ahead. 01 of 21 Givenchy, Spring 2022 Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images No matter how hard we try, we can't escape clogs. For spring, you might want to trade in your classic wood pairs for this monochromatic, athletic-inspired version. Shoes 02 of 21 Ulla Johnson, Fall 2021 Jonas Gustavsson Perhaps it's because we lived through the ballet shoe trend of the aughts, but the ribbon ties combined with a rounded toe are giving us intense flashbacks to a questionable time for fashion. 26 Questionable '00s Trends That Have, Unfortunately, Returned 03 of 21 Jason Wu, Spring 2021 Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Teva-style sandals are still a statement all on their own, but the mixed prints and extra bits of material took this trend to a whole new level. 04 of 21 Bottega Veneta, Fall 2020 Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Sure, they were bright green, super clunky, and kind of cartoonish, but Bottega Veneta's boots were also 100% biodegradable, instantly making them a must-have. 05 of 21 Simone Rocha, Spring 2020 Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) The thick white soles of these silver Mary Janes made it look as if this design was actually one shoe layered on top of another. However, our focus should have probably been on the addition of tube socks, since the sweet pairing became one of the hottest footwear trends of the year, babydoll shoes. Babydoll Shoes Are the Micro Fashion Trend We'll Be Wearing From Now Until 2021 06 of 21 Christian Dior, Fall 2019 Peter White/Getty Images Between the kitten heel, the plaid print, or the sock-inspired ankle detail, this boot reminds us of an elegant Christmas stocking. All that's missing is a candy cane. 07 of 21 Dsquared2, Spring 2019 Getty A sneaker? A sandal? A wedge? With Dsquared2's futuristic design, it's a 3-in-1 deal. 08 of 21 Paco Rabanne, Fall 2018 Peter White/Getty Images Fluffy and bedazzled slides have nothing on this pom-pom shoe, which would surely steal the spotlight every time. 09 of 21 Christopher Kane, Fall 2018 Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images Christopher Kane continues to produce our favorite questionable footwear, attempting to combine unexpected elements such as chunky black sneakers, spring-like heels, and jewels. The 14 Best Leather Sneakers for Perfecting Casual-Cool Style 10 of 21 Spring 2018, Balenciaga Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images You're either team Crocs or you're not, but the divisive nature of this shoe hasn't stopped brands from putting their own unique twist on the clog, whether it's adding a platform or creating statement-making Jibbitz for decoration. 11 of 21 Loewe, Spring 2018 Getty Fashion is always looking for a way to update the classic sneaker, but we're not quite sure if a long, curly, elf-like toe is it. 12 of 21 Coach, Fall 2017 Estrop/Getty Images Ready for something really out of this world? Feast your eyes on Coach's version of the Moon Boot, complete with metallic coloring and plaid laces. 13 of 21 Christopher Kane, Spring 2017 Catwalking/Getty When did Crocs emerge as fashion's must-have shoe? It's possible it started with Christopher Kane's runway, where we spotted these marble-printed babies embellished with mineral stones. 14 of 21 Preen, Spring 2017 Estrop/Getty In another high-fashion 'ugly shoe' collaboration, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi teamed up with UGG for Spring 2017, releasing black and white, bow-bedecked sandals (some were flatforms, others were just flat), They don't look anything like UGG's popular, comfy boots, but the news of this joint venture alone was enough to make this list. So, It Looks Like 'Ugly Shoes' Aren't Going Anywhere 15 of 21 J. Crew, Spring 2016 Vivien Killilea/Getty Dr. Scholls took advantage of the ugly shoe trend and partnered with J. Crew on a collaboration full of chunky slides. Shoppers could take their pick from a variety of colors and seasonal gingham prints. Sorry, Birkenstocks: There's a New Ugly Sandal Taking Over Hollywood 16 of 21 Marc Jacobs, Spring 2015 Catwalking/Getty What, exactly, made us fall in love with these clunky velvet-lined Dr. Scholls-look-alikes? Was it the velvet? Or that it hit a nostalgic note? It was probably all of the above. 17 of 21 Markus Lupfer, Spring 2015 Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty While they're arguably more nostalgic than 'ugly,' glitter jelly sandals got a grown-up makeover at Markus Lupfer's spring 2015 presentation. A blue pair included iridescent studs and gems, as well as a heeled silhouette. So, It Looks Like 'Ugly Shoes' Aren't Going Anywhere 18 of 21 Charlotte Ronson, Spring 2015 Cindy Ord/Getty From a fashion POV, it's the minimalist version of the sporty sandal — velcro straps, no embellishment, and a neutral color palette. To everyone else, they're Tevas. 19 of 21 Dior Haute Couture, Spring 2014 Victor VIRGILE/Getty The prettiest sprinkling of floral sequins makes these the chicest pair of Aqua Socks we've ever seen. It helps, too, that they're couture — and Dior. This Jennifer Garner-Approved Fall Shoe Trend Has Been Viewed 32 Million Times on TikTok 20 of 21 Marc Jacobs, Spring 2014 Victor VIRGILE/Getty It was only a matter of time before Tevas got their time in the spotlight. Marc Jacobs riffed on the sporty sandal with rope-like straps, a rubbery sole, and a Victorian-inspired goth gown as its fashion pairing. 21 of 21 Prada, Spring 2014 Paolo Lanzi/Imaxtree.com In an effort to elevate the 'ugliness' of a super chunky sandal, Miuccia Prada embellished the straps with fancy gem stones.