I’m sure we all remember the chunky Filas era, and the love for “ugly” shoes has only picked up from then. Time is a very funny thing when it comes to fashion. Kids in school used to get made fun of for baggy jeans, and now, influencers would never be caught wearing skinny jeans. This is to say that “ugly” isn’t an objective term—fashion is always morphing. So, when we refer to the “ugly shoes” trend, we’re talking about the bulky, bold shoes that have made their way back around into the mainstream.
What this article will cover:
- Filas
- Doc Martens
- Crocs
- New Balances
- Reeboks
- Birkenstocks
- Big Red Boot by MSCHF
- Off-White
- Classism in Fashion
- Educating Yourself on the Origins of Currently Trending Looks
Fila Disruptors
Image courtesy of Fila.
These self-described “OG dad shoes” were arguably the start to the “ugly sneakers” trend. Fila has been around for decades, but it wasn’t until 2018 that their Disruptors did, in fact, disrupt the fashion world. They’re huge with jagged patterns, and they stand out regardless of what outfit you wear with them. They’re definitely a statement piece within athleisure, and in many ways, they kickstarted the wide obsession with unconventional shoes. Whether they’re paired with leggings, baggy jeans, or long socks and shorts, they’re incredibly versatile despite having a flair of their own. The original Disruptors are popular in their own right, but if you like platform sneakers, make sure to take a look at the Disruptor 2s (pictured above).
Doc Martens
Image courtesy of Dr. Martens.
Doc Marten boots became popular as a dark, angsty accessory to pull together any outfit. The leather boots are a more wide, dramatic take to the 2010’s skinny combat boots. Their heavy-looking, spiky bottoms paired with the bright yellow stitching makes them pop out. They’re incredibly recognizable because of how unique they are. They first started being worn by e-girls with black and white striped layers, chains, and baggy jeans or cargoes. However, as they gained more popularity, people started to wear them with flowy dresses too. This creates a cool mix of soft, feminine clothes and tough, rebellious shoes. They are also available in white with black stitching, platforms, and loafer form.
Crocs
Image courtesy of Crocs.
Crocs were a childhood staple because of how easy they are to put on, how breathable and water resistant they are, and how many different colors they come in. However, recently, older teens and young adults have rediscovered these shoes and their value. You wouldn’t think that holed clogs would be teens’ first choice at cool shoes, but they’ve embraced the look. Not only are they comfortable, but they’re also easy to have fun with.
The customizable charms, Jibbitz, make crocs an open canvas for you to decorate. They make crocs almost like a little scrapbook, and they are easy to take out if you like to switch your look up based on your outfit or current interests. There are Jibbitz for anything and everything. There are charms for everyone, whether you like cartoons, sports, superheroes, flowers, animals etc. There are even letters if you want to spell out short words or your initials. The possibilities are endless, and creating an interactive aspect to the shoe is at least partially the reason why Crocs have intense popularity.
Image courtesy of Crocs.
New Balance
Image courtesy of New Balance.
New Balance was never as coveted as Nike or Adidas in the 2010s, but in the 2020s, they’ve gained a lot of popularity. Similar to Filas, New Balances have the dad shoe look. They’re easy to pair with sweats, leggings, or shorts, and they are the finishing touch to any athleisure look. Not to mention, they are incredibly comfortable. They’ve been overlooked for years, but they are getting more mainstream as time goes on.
Reeboks
Image courtesy of Reebok.
Unlike many other shoes on this list, Reeboks are fairly minimalist. They are simple tennis shoes that have an off white hue, making them look worn out even when they’re brand new. In the past, they would never have been a top choice along with crisp, pristine shoes like Air Force 1s or Converse. However, now, people are beginning to catch on to Reeboks as a hidden gem. The beauty of their simplicity and color is that they go with absolutely anything. They might not call attention to themselves, but they’re fashionable nonetheless. Along with distressed jeans and paint splattered jeans, the worn out look of these Reeboks has become fashionable in itself.
Birkenstocks
Image courtesy of Birkenstock.
Birkenstocks are regular ‘ol sandals, but young adults and teens have taken a liking to wearing them with socks. Wearing socks and sandals used to be wildly looked down upon, but younger generations played on this disgust and decided that they’d make it stylish. The combination might still look a bit silly to you, but regardless of fashion, it’s undeniably comfortable. Similar to Crocs, Birks have been accepted even though they probably aren’t what comes to mind when you hear “trending shoes.”
MSCHF’s Big Red Boot
Image courtesy of MSCHF.
The Big Red Boot is exactly what it sounds like, although it also comes in black and yellow. They are self-described “cartoon boots” that sell for $350 and frequently sell out. Although they are pretty plain, their size has a bit of a shock factor. It’s definitely for those who love imaginative, out-there looks.
Image courtesy of Esquire.
Off-White
Image courtesy of Off-White.
Off-White shoes have some untypical aspects, especially the deliberate use of permanent tags and zipties. Many Off-White shoes also have clashing patterns and colors. There is generally a lot going on in each Off-White shoe, but that is the beauty of it. It is a fearless, out of the box brand.
Classism in Fashion
This piece is about the “ugly shoe” trend, but it’s necessary to take a step back and acknowledge the issues that come with the concept of trends. Trends in general usually slight people living in poverty because changing anything—whether it be your clothes, shoes, or even your body—costs money. Liking something that a lot of other people like is not wrong. However, judging someone for wearing something out of style is where the issues start.
Firstly, everyone is entitled to their own taste. In grade school, it’s harder to be your own person and risk being an outcast. However, it’s important that as we age, we start looking at others and ourselves with more compassion. Indulging in self expression and wearing whatever you want is one of the most freeing things you can do for yourself. Don’t ever let anyone strip you of this; being an adult means being an individual, not just another member of the group.
Secondly, not everyone can afford to hop on the newest trend. If someone is wearing something out of style or old, it’s ridiculously unfair for them to be judged. There’s nothing wrong with dressing differently by choice, and there’s definitely no crime in refusing to buy expensive clothes every month when a new product is trending. It is not sustainable financially or environmentally to toss out the old for the new each time something else becomes popular.
Thirdly, many people who follow trends do not educate themselves on the origins of what they’re interested in. Many times, the things that marginalized groups were put down for are what white influencers are praised for and earning profit off of. This is especially true with sneaker culture, which is exactly what this article focuses on. Thus, I want to offer you with some resources that you can look into to truly appreciate current trends.
Paying Respect to Those Who Did it First
- Black Influence on Fashion — The “Trainer Culture” section dives into how sneakers were first worn by kids of color from urban areas before they became mainstream.
- Latina Inspired Makeup and Jewelry — This piece details the double standard that many people of color face in fashion. Not wearing certain makeup and jewelry (or in the case of this article, shoes) to avoid being stereotyped is something that white people do not have to think about while putting together an outfit.
- Sneakers as a Means of Expression for Marginalized Groups — This Fordham dissertation analyzes how non-Black individuals in the sneaker industry make huge profits off of shoes that were created within or influenced by Black culture.
- Black Trailblazers in Fashion — This piece gives credit to several Black individuals that made or continue to make waves in fashion.
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