Is this the next big ‘ugly’ shoe? Why these clunky, celeb-approved kicks are everywhere
The new clog from UGG is the latest iteration of the widely popular yet controversial “ugly” shoe trend — in which heeled Crocs and Birkenstocks have reigned supreme.
The $150 Venture Daze clogs — a clunky, unisex slipper-sneaker hybrid that combines the box-stitched comfort of the brand’s iconic Tasmans with the supportive soles akin to running shoes — have become the hottest celebrity shoe after the resurgence of the Ultra Mini boots.
Model Gigi Hadid was spotted in a pair of sand-colored Venture Daze kicks this week, styling the outdoorsy footwear with blue jeans, a plain white T-shirt and a leather bomber jacket.
Meanwhile, “Saltburn” star Barry Keoghan was photographed in the vibrant green colorway along with a gray sweater vest and black athletic shorts.
While the ultra-bulk tread appears fit for hiking, the shoe’s assimilation into casual street style is part of the growing “gorpcore” aesthetic, marked by incorporating athletic-style shoes into daily wear — or even high fashion.
At New York Fashion Week, models walked Collina Strada’s runway in puffed, ruffled and multicolored UGG boots. In Milan, Marco Rambaldi paired a two-piece set made of delicate, sheer fabric with heavy, lace-up UGGs, while in London, emerging designer Tolu Coker included a pair of UGG clogs on the catwalk.
The Post has reached out to UGG for comment.
If anything, the A-list approval of the clunky — and Gen Z beloved — footwear is confirmation that the so-called “ugly” shoe trend is here to stay.
As InStyle writer Faran Krentcil put it: “Ugly, but make it fashion, but also make it viral!”
In recent years, some kicks have played into the buzziness of shock factor, such as MSCHF’s Big Red Boots and its yellow iteration in partnership with Crocs, Loewe’s playful balloon heels or Louis Vuitton’s bizarre human leg knee-highs.
There’s also the rise of furry pumps — perfect for winter, the beastly footwear rose to prominence on recent runways for Burberry, Gucci and Dauphinette — and the steady popularity of Maison Margiela Tabis, which could be considered the original “ugly” shoe.
The polarizing pumps have been likened to a horse hoof by critics due to the controversial split-toe, and have left fashion experts divided as to whether the weirdness is rebellious and high-brow or just a high-cost faux pas.
However, the Tabis are beloved by many a celebrity, including Dua Lipa, Rosalia and Olivia Rodrigo.
Meanwhile, other consumer-loved styles were a touch more practical, like Mesh ballet flats, sold by “It” girl labels such as Sandy Liang and The Row, which gained traction last year as fashionistas ditched their traditional sandals for the shoe with more visual intrigue yet still suitable for the summer scorchers.
Like the heavenly plush-ness offered by cult-favorite UGG shoes, ’90s-era chunky dad sneakers have also made a resurgence in recent years, as seen on Adam Sandler, who sported a pair of neon-hued HOKA trainers on a recent red carpet.
But the comfort of aforementioned “ugly” shoes isn’t reserved for older generations; Gen Z fashion influencer Clara Perlmutter prefers “geriatric trainers” with her leather trousers or maxi skirts, she told InStyle.
The love of the “ugly” shoe is perhaps a symptom of the “wrong shoe theory,” coined by stylist Allison Bornstein, in which style savants pair garments with a shoe that is the antithesis of an outfit, such as sneakers with dresses or sandals with slacks.
Somehow, the intentional selection of two “wrong” shoes makes an ultra-chic right. By doing so, it makes an outfit feel “dynamic and interesting,” Brooklyn-based content creator Toiby Hayes previously told The Post.
“This is why I think the wrong shoe theory is so important,” Bornstein said in a TikTok video at the time. “It sort of signals that there is some intention and choice, and therefore it gives your look personality.”
