The Ugly-Chic Shoes We'll All Wear in 2017

last updated 13 August 2019

It seems the entire fashion universe has been obsessing over this idea of "ugly pretty" over the last few seasons—beginning with Phoebe Philo's introduction of furry pool slides back in 2013 and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's Birkenstock obsession. From there, street style stars and celebs alike displayed their interpretations of the trend in the form of clunky sandals, offbeat clogs, and more from brands like Teva, Dr. Scholl's, and Crocs. Sure, the entire trend may still feel totally unexpected and out there, but whether you've tested it out for yourself already or are still questioning it, just know that it really is one of the simplest ways to give your vibe that cool, of-the-moment feel. And truth be told, the look is only going to get more massive in the months to come. The biggest designers including Christopher Kane, Alexander Wang, and Versace heralded the trend, showcasing a range of "ugly" shoes on the 2017 runways—think interesting sandals and unexpected sneakers.

Curious about the looks you're bound to see everywhere next year? Go on to check out the top runway looks featuring the coolest "ugly-chic" shoes.

Unexpected Clogs and Flats

We'll admit, we certainly didn't expect to see Crocs on the runway, but we're into the offbeat, forward look. The same goes for unique clogs and flats as well.

the-ugly-chic-shoes-well-all-wear-in-2017-1952782-1477440432 — Maison Margiela

the-ugly-chic-shoes-well-all-wear-in-2017-1952790-1477440433 — Christopher Kane

the-ugly-chic-shoes-well-all-wear-in-2017-1952780-1477440431 — Christopher Kane

Flip-Flops and Flatforms

No, flip-flops won't be reserved just for the beach anymore. As Alexander Wang, Versace, and Dries van Noten showcased, the rubber sandal is getting a high-fashion makeover next year—and it's ready to be incorporated into your cool, off-duty life.

the-ugly-chic-shoes-well-all-wear-in-2017-1952787-1477440432 — Versace

the-ugly-chic-shoes-well-all-wear-in-2017-1952783-1477440432 — Dries van Noten

the-ugly-chic-shoes-well-all-wear-in-2017-1952788-1477440433 — Alexander Wang

Offbeat Sneakers

Sure, those classic white sneakers you live in aren't going anywhere anytime soon, but 2017 is the year of the weird trainer, featuring bright colors and different silhouettes in fabrics like neoprene.

the-ugly-chic-shoes-well-all-wear-in-2017-1952781-1477440431 — Comme des Garçons

the-ugly-chic-shoes-well-all-wear-in-2017-1952785-1477440432 — MSGM

the-ugly-chic-shoes-well-all-wear-in-2017-1952800-1477440777 — Maison Margiela

What trend will you test out first? Let us know in the comments below, and shop current "ugly-chic" shoes here.

Opening Image: Getty Images

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Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent over seven years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retialers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises. He has also worked across a variety of other media brands and fashion retailers like Refinery29, PureWow, Men's Health, and Gilt covering commerce, trend reporting, women's and men's fashion, home, and lifestyle.