A to Z of 2024: Ugly shoes stand the test of time

SINGAPORE – In an era when fashion trends come and go faster than you can lace up your sneakers, one movement has proved its staying power: ugly shoes.

Once a polarising fashion statement, these unconventional designs have, in 2024, found their place as an essential part of modern wardrobes.

From oversized platforms to quirky mules, ugly shoes continue to evolve, with the world’s leading designers and brands fully embracing their appeal.

Spanish luxury brand Balenciaga, for instance, has taken the trend to new heights – literally.

At the Spring/Summer 2025 showcase at its Paragon flagship in November, the standout piece that got everyone talking (and giggling) was a pair of 18cm platform boots for men which debuted at Balenciaga’s Shanghai runway show in May. These towering shoes are audacious, theatrical and perfectly emblematic of the ugly shoe movement.

The fashion house is releasing a ready-to-wear version with 8cm heels, hitting stores in 2025. This scaled-down iteration retains the bold aesthetic while being more practical for everyday wear.

Meanwhile, New York-based knitwear brand PH5 has added its own playful spin to the ugly shoe trend. Known for its experimental designs, PH5 teased its Spring/Summer 2025 Save The Ugly Animals collection on Instagram in September, with shoes designed in collaboration with Singapore footwear brand Charles & Keith. These whimsical mules are adorned with sporty drawstrings and PH5’s signature wavy print.

The trend also taps another key shift in consumer preferences – the demand for comfort.

Ugly shoes, with their ergonomic designs, cushioned soles and oversized silhouettes, offer the perfect blend of comfort and statement-making style. They allow wearers to move through their day with ease while still turning heads – a winning combination for the modern consumer.

Brands rooted in comfort are also doubling down on the ugly shoe phenomenon. American brand UGG, a pioneer of cosy footwear, has been at the forefront of the trend, especially with its recent collaborations with Collina Strada, a responsible New York fashion label.

Their first partnership in April garnered widespread attention with designs featuring hardcore spikes and frilly florals, prompting a second release just months later, in September. This time, UGG’s classic silhouettes were reimagined with ruffled and floral-print designs.

Looking ahead, ugly shoes are expected to become even more inclusive, with designers crafting genderless styles. Meanwhile, innovations in sustainable materials and techniques are paving the way for ugly shoes that are not just bold but also environmentally responsible.

Even Crocs, the American brand synonymous with the ugly shoe movement, is making strides towards sustainability, proving that style, comfort and eco-consciousness can coexist.

It is transforming its signature Croslite compounds – the proprietary material used in most of its shoes – by integrating bio-based and bio-circular content sourced from plant-based waste, instead of relying solely on fossil fuel-derived materials.

As at August, 25 per cent of the Croslite material used in its shoes is bio-circular, with plans to increase this to 50 per cent by 2030. By using plant-based waste as raw material, Crocs says it is reducing its dependence on virgin resources while also lowering its environmental footprint.

The impact of this shift is already visible in the popular Classic Clogs, which now boast a carbon footprint of just 2.02kg Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (CO2e) – a fraction of the average shoe’s 14kg CO2e.

So, what makes ugly shoes such a lasting phenomenon?

At their core, they challenge the traditional notions of beauty and style. Their exaggerated proportions, unconventional materials and playful details create an aesthetic that invites self-expression and individuality.

As social media perpetuates the pressure to conform to unattainable ideals, ugly shoes stand as a bold counter-narrative. They are quirky, they are fun and they are freeing.