A History of "Ugly Shoes" on the Runway

Crocs's coming-out moment in fashion: on the Christopher Kane runway, printed with marble swirls, and festooned with mineral stones.

In another high-fashion "ugly shoe" collaboration, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi teamed up with UGG to launch four shoe styles: black and white bow-bedecked sandals (some as flatforms, others just flat). They don't look anything like the shoe brand's popular shapeless boots, but the news of this joint venture alone is enough to make this list. 

No fashion editor would be caught in flip-flops outside the beach. But these leather-soled pairs with buckled ankle cuffs? Currently questioning our fashion principles. 

Dr. Scholls took advantage of the ugly shoe trend and partnered with J. Crew to launch a collaboration, where chic takes of the classic style included monochrome white and gingham print. 

We shouldn't have wanted these clunky velvet-lined Dr. Scholls-look-alikes, but we did. Was it the velvet? Or that it hit a nostalgic note? It was probably all of the above.

More nostalgic than "ugly," glitter jelly sandals got a grown-up makeover at Markus Lupfer's spring 2015 presentation with a pair blanketed in iridescent studs and gems, and a heeled silhouette. 

From a fashion POV, it's the minimalist version of the sporty sandal—velcro straps, no embellishment, a neutral color palette. To everyone else, they're Tevas. 

The prettiest sprinkling of floral sequins make these the chicest pair of Aqua Socks we've ever seen. It helps, too, that they're couture. And they're Dior.

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. 

In an effort to prettify the "ugliness" of a super chunky sandal, Miuccia Prada embellished the straps with fancy gem stones. 

Ah, the "ugly shoe" that started it all. Designer Phoebe Philo kicked off the ugly shoe trend when she debuted fur-cushioned Birkenstock-like sandals. Traditionally ugly in shape, yet completely irresistible.