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Shop the Best ‘Ugly Shoe’ Styles of 2026
As consumers, we all fall victim to the whims of the footwear world’s ever-changing trend cycle — be it bejeweled satin heels spearheaded by Carrie Bradshaw, Y2K-era gladiator sandals that have made a surprising comeback for Coachella 2026, or even the types of quiet-luxury flip-flops that The Row subtly propelled to popularity a summer back.
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Whether you actively participate in this hype or stick to the sidelines, embracing trending items — or at least acknowledging their allure — is inevitable. And while some viral footwear moments (looking at you, snoafers) have already given us major fatigue, others are exhibiting impressive staying power. Out of this latter camp, nothing has been more captivating than the obsession with “ugly shoes.” When we say ugly, we don’t mean it in the traditional sense. These shoes aren’t unsightly or hard to look at; instead, they’re playful and provocative, a unique offering that manages to break the mold of the industry while turning heads with every step.
Atypical shoes have always existed, and one look back at the towering platform chopines of Renaissance Europe — whose height was typically a telltale sign of the wearer’s nobility — confirms the fact. So too were the heelless high heels of the late 2000s and early 2010s (a Lady Gaga non-negotiable) part of the same search for novelty, an inherent “cool” factor, and status vis-à-vis what we chose to put on our feet. The “ugly shoe” mania’s modern-day revival can likely also be attributed to the “camp” movement that began in the ’60s, driven largely by Susan Sontag’s essay “Notes on ‘Camp.'”
This time in history was all about accepting and understanding the unusual-slash-absurd, before applying it to personal fashion choices and life choices at large. The same rule applies, albeit on a smaller scale, to 2026’s “ugly shoe” tendencies. The idea is currently looming so large in the public’s imagination that everyone from front-row Fashion Week attendees to A-list tastemakers like Bella Hadid, Emma Chamberlain, and Doja Cat have started incorporating controversial shoe silhouettes into their sartorial equations: showing special preference to brands like Maison Margiela (à la the infamous Tabi), Schiaparelli, Marc Jacobs, and Loewe, among others.
Introducing personality-laden kicks into your outfit rotation can instantly elevate even the most basic of looks, bestowing upon them a focal point and visual grounding force of sorts. Below, the “ugly shoes” you should be shopping online for spring — courtesy of heavy hitters from Puma to Nike.
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Melissa x Y/Project Court Clog
This shoe can best be described as a mix between a clog and a work of art, with design codes that nod to “Cinderella,” “Snow White,” and “The Smurfs” in the same breath. The collaboration product between jelly sandal sensation Melissa and the avant-garde, now-shuttered Y/Project achieved immediate virality upon its release two years ago; luckily, most sizes are still in stock right now for your enjoyment. Crafted out of 100-percent PVC, the clog is flexible, durable, and “light as air,” according to Melissa — just what’s needed amidst soaring temperatures.
The geometric embossment here is meant to impart a royal feel, and you’ll be further pampered by the slip-on’s bubblegum and tutti-frutti smell: a signature touch of the brand that birthed it. The fantastical design is topped off with an upward-curving toe and a block heel for some covetable lift. You’ll also get peace of mind from knowing it’s completely vegan, eco-friendly, and recyclable. As for what to style the Court Clog with? We recommend using it to jazz up any jeans-and-tee combo on the horizon.
Price upon publish date of this article: $349
Nike Jordan Pointe Women’s Shoe
“Balletcore” is still alive and well with this Jordan Pointe sneaker: introduced by Nike this spring and marked by whimsical flair (peep those metallic pops and dancerly ribbon adornments that wrap around the calf). The shoe’s outsole is quite chunky, reflecting the look of some better-known Jordans while doling out non-slip powers for walking, running, or perfecting your pirouettes. We love that the Nike Jordan Pointe’s incognito lacing system allows you to wear those ribbons either close to the foot or extended along the leg — with the former being especially suitable for baggy denim and the latter for your miniskirt-fueled ensembles. The stepper’s Barbie-pink counterpart is almost fully sold out online, so waste no time in grabbing this feminine, futuristic option if you’re long overdue for a warm-weather statement piece.
Price upon publish date of this article: $125
Nike Air Rift Breathe Shoe
In the present day, the Tabi is divisive, but its roots can be tracked all the way back to 15th-century Japan (the silhouette originated as a split-toe sock worn with wooden thong sandals, called Geta). Sensing that the fashion set was craving a return to tradition, labels like Maison Margiela and now Nike co-opted the big toe–separating style: catapulting it into the 21st century with bold new colors and prints. That being said, if you’re worn out from donning the same old, same old white sneakers, Nike’s Air Rift Breathe might be for you.
The shoe features a thermoregulating mesh upper with easy hook-and-loop closures. It might have a low-pro appearance, but you’ll be surprised to find that the Air Rift Breathe is also loaded with bells and whistles like Air cushioning in the heel, a soft, foam-packed midsole, and quick-dry capabilities. Its name is derived from Kenya’s Great Rift Valley, which is not in vain, seeing as how the Swoosh brand engineered the model with direct input from the country’s barefoot long-distance runners. If it doles out enough support for their arduous pursuits, it will keep you comfortable during your comparatively relaxed ones.
Price upon publish date of this article: $125
Puma Mostro Mid Women’s Mid-Top Sneaker
This boxing shoe doesn’t follow your typical fighter formula. Instead, it’s a high-style rendition swathed in a sumptuous (and perennially trending) chocolate-brown hue, with references to both “the sleek sprinting spikes of the ’60s and the surfing shoes of the ’80s,” per Puma. The Mostro Mid will protect your ankles and the soles of your feet, no matter what terrain you find yourself on — boxing ring, city street, or otherwise. That mixed-material upper is breathable, too, which makes it an apt fit for transitional-weather dressing, and lace-up closure spans the length of the shoe’s façade. Similarly to our Melissa call-out above, Puma’s Frankensteinian sneaker (it’s a monster, after all) defies convention, encouraging you to do a bit of the same in this new season.
Price upon publish date of this article: $130
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Meet the Authors
Amina Ayoud is a Commerce Writer for Penske Media, where she writes stories about everything from celebrity style to new footwear releases. Ayoud cultivated a deep appreciation of fashion history and the luxury industry early in life. In her free time, she’s a self-proclaimed fashion nerd and thriftaholic. Ayoud attended Virginia Commonwealth University and studied fashion merchandising along with mass communications. After college, she worked on Fashion Snoops’ Culture team and as a beauty writer for Allure, WWD, Footwear News, Glamour, and more — before landing at Billboard.
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales, and curated gift guides. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on the buzziest footwear trends of the day and how to shop them online.