If it's hideous, we're probably smitten with it. How did fashion's perplexing adoration for the "ugly shoe" (subjective, we know, but you get it) even come to be? We walk you through a brief history, right here.
CELINE, SPRING 2013
IMAGE Celine
Presenting the show that started it all. Phoebe Philo left the fashion world baffled yet enamored when she sent fur-cushioned Birkenstock-esque pairs down the runway.
PRADA, SPRING 2014
IMAGE Prada.com
Ready to go glamping? Miuccia Prada embellished the straps of otherwise tacky trekking sandals with a decadent sprnkling of jewels.
MARC JACOBS, SPRING 2014
IMAGE Neiman Marcus
It was only a matter of time before good ol' Teva snatched the spotlight, care of Marc Jacobs.
OPENING CEREMONY, SPRING 2014
IMAGE Opening Ceremony
Opening Ceremony rode the wave and collaborated with Teva, releasing a line of six styles up for the grabbing.
DIOR HAUTE COUTURE, SPRING 2014
IMAGE Dior
All it took was a generous peppering of floral sequins for everyone and their cat to start wearing actual aqua socks out. From pool to cool (the Dior name certainly helped with the street cred, tbh).
GIAMBATTISTA VALLI, RESORT 2014
IMAGE GiambattistaValli.com
Studded Birkenstocks? All our yeses. Normcore galore.
MARC JACOBS, SPRING 2015
IMAGE Marc Jacobs
These clunky Dr. Scholls lookalikes were definitely on our wish lists that year. Trivia: they came in a coveted velvet-lined version, too!
ALEXANDER WANG, SPRING 2017
IMAGE AlexanderWang.com
No fashion editor would be caught dead in flip-flops away from the beach, but these leather-soled pairs with buckled ankle cuffs almost made us question our sartorial principles. Stand your ground, girls.
PREEN, SPRING 2017
IMAGE UGG
That same season, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi teamed up with UGG to launch four beribboned sandal variations. They don't exactly look anything like the Aussie brand's signature boots, but the news of this rather bizarre collab alone is enough to make the cut.
CHRISTOPHER KANE, SPRING 2017
IMAGE ChristopherKane.com
Be careful who you bully, because no one expected that Crocs would make their high-fashion debut on Christopher Kane's catwalk, done up in marble motifs and dripping with mineral stones. We're still a tad bit puzzled ourselves.
BALENCIAGA, SPRING 2018
IMAGE Balenciaga
...which brings us to the latest in this still-growing list. Need we say more? We've digressed, but now it's time for you to tell us what you think. Leave a comment below!
