Is comfort-first footwear in?
Functional fashion continues to be in vogue.
The previously maligned 'ugly shoe' appears to be having its moment. Traditional favourites like heels, boots, and conventionally chic footwear have paled in comparison, making way for comfort-first options. While the term ‘ugly’ may sound off-putting, when applied to footwear, it's anything but derogatory. Instead, it encapsulates the current zeitgeist, showcasing consumers' fervent preference for trendy, comfortable shoes, even if they come with a quirky appearance.
In 2024, functionality is undeniably fashionable, and comfort often carries a designer price tag. Examples include Givenchy’s three-toed sock-and-sandal combo, Hermès’ clogs, Louis Vuitton’s LV Archlight, Balenciaga’s Speed Trainers, and Prada’s scuba shoes. However, let’s not forget the brands that have always prioritised comfort over fleeting trends. The Lady Diana-favoured sneakers paired with pulled-up socks seem to be on their way to ubiquity, with Bella Hadid championing the style for some time now. Birkenstocks with socks are no longer confined to tourists at hotel breakfasts, thanks to Kendall Jenner. Even Justin Bieber ensures Crocs get their moment every now and then.
Designed for those who appreciate function over form, Birkenstocks have become surprisingly fashionable staples. As sought-after as they are mocked, the legacy shoe brand continues to both amuse and divide fashion opinions. Founded as a supplier of orthopedic soles, the brand prioritised functionality and comfort over appearance. Initially labeled as ‘funny-looking’ and ‘ugly’ in the 1970s, the sandals found a following among individuals less concerned with fashion. The design, however, is meticulously crafted based on the natural footprint left in the sand, ensuring that feet endure hours in stress-free shoes. Instead of altering its design or succumbing to fashion trends, the brand embraced its association with counter-culture while using high-quality materials like leathers and carefully selected textiles. Today, it collaborates with top fashion houses like Dior, Rick Owens, and Manolo Blahnik, adorning the feet of both the fashionable and unfashionable alike.
Footwear styles like Crocs are here to remind us that essential wear can be fun. With the world urging us to opt for comfortable fashion choices, the ease and breeze of the once dreaded Croc is very alluring. Plus, the addition of customisable jibbitz charms makes dressing up even more fun! Today the brand is synonymous with being fashionably comfortable, is no longer limited to the kiddie crowd, and can add a colourful twist to your daily ensembles. Footwear styles from Crocs seem to have some of our favourite celebrities in a chokehold. Justin Bieber, Bad Bunny, and even Drake have lent their approval to this long frowned-upon accessory. Moreover, people seem to be styling them in polarising ways, such as pairing them with socks!
Adding to this wave of comfortable footwear, the Adidas Sambas have left the internet feeling divided, too, in terms of their aesthetic appeal. Often referred to as the ‘it-girls' favourite sneaker’, they have truly stood the test of time. Even sneakerheads, who stay tapped into the latest buzzy drops, agree. The runners were launched in 1950 and have since become one of Adidas’s all-time bestsellers! Footwear fanatic Emily Ratajkowski, who also owns sporty styles from Nike and Reebok, is a Samba fan. Kaia Gerber dresses down her French-girl essentials with these trusty sneakers, while Bella Hadid offsets her vintage threads with classic Sambas. The style fully embodies the energy of the ‘cool girl’ (read: Rosamund Pike’s iconic monologue from Gone Girl), and we’re here for it!
It’s been over 20 years since the shot of Uma Thurman’s yellow Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 sneakers debuted on the big screen. Kill Bill fans have since been obsessed, and recently, all the fashion girlies have joined them, too. The shoe has been many things in the 60 years since its release: Bruce Lee’s favourite workout shoe, the subject of a Quentin Tarantino foot shot, and now—an ‘it’ shoe, bursting onto the mainstream scene. It comes in some certainly bold colours, yellow being the most daunting choice—yet we’ve seen it styled with looks that encapsulated Parisian chic. In the rise and rise of the ‘ugly sneaker’, the Onitsuka Tiger has proven itself to be the queen bee. It is the New Balance dad sneaker without the dorky clunkiness and the Adidas Samba’s cooler, older sister. But more importantly, it can be anything you want it to be: it can be a statement piece in Gigi Hadid’s model-off-duty look or a complementary number in Kendall Jenners’s y2k-inspired sweatsuit. Comfort and ease are the key themes of the Onitsuka Tiger’s collections. Every single item of athleisure evolves uniquely, but the overall style always prioritises comfort.
Miu Miu ballet flats surged in the post-lockdown world, too! When the heeled shoe unsurprisingly experienced a fall from its heights of style, people began opting for more “reasonable” footwear. With humble flats finally getting the recognition they deserve, the desire for comfort no longer requires compromise on the style front. Trendy flat silhouettes from luxury houses like Loewe, Prada, and Gucci are currently dominating the scene. In fact, designs akin to embellished ballet flats or suede mules are quickly becoming fashion’s favourite shoes! The solace of a heel-less shoe paired with a chic design makes for a coveted amalgamation.
The verdict is in—pretty doesn't need to hurt anymore! These styles make a fashion statement for themselves, perhaps redefining the conventional norms of what’s in vogue.
Lead image credit: crocsindia / Instagram
