Ugly shoe summer reshapes fashion style

Vibram toe shoes and bold designs redefine what counts as stylish this summer.

Ugly shoe summer reshapes fashion style

Toe spread footwear from Vibram is leading a summer trend that also features rubber flip flops and neoprene water shoes. A Lyst report shows six of the ten most searched items online in the second quarter of 2025 were shoes, with toe pocket designs among the leaders. The fashion lineage runs from Maison Margiela split toe tabi shoes first seen in 1988 to a viral TikTok moment in 2023 that helped bring the idea into the mainstream.

At Copenhagen fashion week, eclectic styles dominated the streets and catwalks. Designers mixed plastic sandals, 3D printed details, and hybrids like ballet flats with sneakers. The trend has polarising appeal, with fans praising the jolt to taste and critics calling it excessive. Industry observers note a shift toward footwear that sparks conversation as much as it serves function.

This trend shows fashion turning discomfort into a signal of individuality. By turning to items that provoke reaction, buyers and designers invite public debate about what beauty means in the street and on the page.

There is a risk that such shock value fades or alienates mainstream shoppers. Brands will need to balance novelty with wearability and ethics as markets and secondhand ecosystems grow.

Highlights

The next season will reveal whether shock value translates into lasting style