The most exciting thing about spring finally rolling around – ya know, aside from the long-awaited emergence of sunshine – is the chance to break out warm-weather footwear. After months of wearing only our knee-high boots and fashion trainers (accompanied with the thickest and fluffiest socks we can find to prevent our toes freezing off), we relish the reintroduction of ballet flats, barely-there sandals and open-toe designs into our shoe rotation.
This spring/summer, there’s no shortage of shoe trends to choose from. But, amongst the usual suspects – read: loafers and mesh flats – we’ve spied a number of divisive styles that can be collectively referred to as ‘ugly shoes’ gaining popularity. *Shudder.*
Ugly shoes existing in the fashion space are far from a new notion. The rise can be traced back to the launch of Crocs, the first ugly shoe brand to gain significant traction thanks to collaborations with Christopher Kane, Simone Rocha and Balenciaga. Similarly, Birkenstocks has followed suit, transforming its brand image through partnerships with Proenza Schouler, Jil Sander, Dior, Staud and even Manolo Blahnik. Carrie Bradshaw would approve.
It’s similar to the ugly Christmas jumper effect, where novelty and garish design unite to create such ugly knitwear, it transcends into being cute. Even if you’re in the minority of people who think so. You know what they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, there’s no denying the trend is staying put. At least for the time being, anyway. Whether you blame it on the designer runways or your favourite celebs adorning their feet with Marmite footwear and backing the look, we’re outlining the season’s most popular – and controversial – styles below, as well as giving you a few of the best shopping options courtesy of the high street, should anything catch your eye.
Heeled Flip Flops
Good news: flip flops aren’t going anywhere but up for summer 2025. Literally speaking, the style has been subtly elevated with a kitten heel that will take you effortlessly from pool to party. The style was spotted across all the SS25 runways, from Alaïa to Ferragamo. Follow Miley Cyrus’ lead for styling inspo.
Ballet trainers
Sitting somewhere between a ballet flat and a sneaker, this hybrid style has been confirmed as this season’s leading trainer trend, championed by the likes of Bella Hadid in Vivaia, Dua Lipa in Puma Speedcats and Iris Law in both Nike and Simone Rocha’s take on the trend. It was ultimate It girl Chloë Sevigny who first championed the style, though, when she was spotted wearing a pair of Ecco Biom C-Trails in NYC last summer, designed by former Chloé creative director Natacha Ramsay-Levi. After immediately selling out, the lace-up trainers are back with Chloë now fronting the footwear brand’s latest campaign.
Jelly Shoes
Cue the ‘90s nostalgia. The Row may have started the jelly shoe renaissance at its pre-fall 2024 show, but it was Loeffler Randall’s embellished Rhys jelly sandals that stole our hearts after we saw them all over social media last summer. It was primarily caged and slip-on mules that flourished last year, but now, even more silhouettes are getting the jelly treatment. Top of our wish lists? Chloé’s jelly heeled flip flops that tick off two trends in one shoe. Closely followed by a jelly hybrid of the brand’s viral Maxime wedge sandals that adorned the feet of the entire frow at the AW24 show. A girl can dream….
Clogs
We’re talking specifically here about Crocs clogs. Yes, even the Simone Rocha embellished styles. And, at the extreme end of the ugly shoe spectrum, may we direct your attention to Balenciaga’s latest collaboration with orthopaedic shoe brand Scholl. The trademark buckled foot strap and cork sole have been mashed together with a stiletto heel, and the results are… interesting. If the perforated white mules veer too much on the ugly side, the brand has some great suede iterations that tap into the boho trend instead.
Fisherman Sandals
They’re everywhere right now, but that doesn’t mean they’re not without their haters. Hailey Bieber might ooze laid-back, cool-girl vibes in her socks and sandals look, but for some, fisherman sandals immediately conjure memories of your dad on a family holiday. The opposite of très chic. Turn to The Row (as per), while the high street has plenty of more budget-friendly options.
Wallabees
Clarks hails the humble Wallabee as “the king of casual footwear” with FKA Twigs and Jorja Smith both backing the look. This season, other brands have followed suit, putting their own stamp on the suede menswear classic. Sure, the silhouette is instantly recognisable, but we’re not totally sure how to define it. The jury is still out on this one.
Birkenstock Birkenstock Utti Taupe Lace Suede Shoes
Boat shoes
All blame for boat shoes’ current popularity lies squarely with Miu Miu. Specifically, the Italian fashion house’s SS24 show in which models wore deck shoes paired with leather co-ords layered over collared shirts and collegiate-esque polo knits. With the fisherman aesthetic predicted by Pinterest earlier this year to be a major 2025 trend and having dominated TikTok in recent months, boat shoes perfectly nail the nautical vibes while packing a preppy punch, too. Wear with Breton stripes to really lean into the look.
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Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
