We thought as long as gladiator sandals were nowhere in sight on this summer’s trend list we’d be okay. However, a whole new crop of unexpected shoe trends has stepped out this summer, and it’s safe to say that not all of them will be making our Pinterest boards. Here are some of the summer’s most strange (and unsightly!) footwear trends:
1) Lace up sandals
Like this pair from Opening Ceremony, the lace up sandal trend is the most benign of the group, but also one of the most puzzling. With the shape of an oxford, the lace up eyelets of a sneaker, and the peep toe of a sandal, we’re not even sure we’d know how to get our foot into these things.
2) Ankle straps
And here we thought ankle straps were just for the Mary Janes we ditched in elementary school. Apparently, like this pair from Chinese Laundry, the ankle strap is back, and we’re only considering this trend because we think it might make us less apt to twist an ankle in our heels.
3) Flatforms
We didn’t think anyone would dare rock a flatform after the Spice Girls immortalized the trend but, like this pair from Missoni, the flatform is making its comeback. It’s only a matter of time before the Spice Girls are cool again too then, right?
4) Lucite wedges
Like a modern-day Cinderella, you, too, can now sport a pair of crystal-clear shoes, like these from Qupid, to the ball/bar. Our opinion of this footwear trend is only slightly partial to the fact that these shoes used to be affectionately nicknamed “stripper shoes.”
5) Birkenstocks
Oh, say it isn’t so! According to Glamour, Birkenstocks are back, though we still adamantly stand by our assertion that you have to have a penchant for hemp, patchouli, and hugging trees to sport a pair of shoes like these.
6) Adidas shower slides
According to Fashionista, Amanda Bynes bought a wig and Adidas shower slides, so now everyone wants to buy Adidas shower slides. (Luckily, everyone wasn’t so quick to take up the wig.)