The "Ugly" Shoe Trend That's Making a Comeback—Again

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(Image credit: Style du Monde)

We've been fascinated by the "ugly" shoe look for seasons, whether it be the "dad sneakers" the street style set favors or the controversial slides stocked at brands like Zara. Well, there's one footwear trend we've seen pop up in the past that's sure to make a comeback in the coming months: socks and sandals.

Once considered a don't, this so-wrong-it's-right look has become a go-to among cool girls and designers alike. While white socks and slides work for a more athleisure vibe, some of our favorite runway power players like Gucci, MSGM, Erdem, Marc Jacobs, and House of Holland showcased more playful, statement-making socks with sandals for spring 2018. We even chatted with Patrick Walsh, Foot Locker's VP of marketing, at the opening of the brand's first West Coast flagship store at the Hollywood and Highland shopping center to get his thoughts on the trend. "The socks and slides trend is definitely in," he said. "For me, it's not so much about the color. It's just making sure you've got nice, fresh socks that make a statement. Stance does a great job of offering socks that scream to the world who you are and what you are interested in." We couldn't agree more. If you want to try this look, really go for it with a statement pair of socks.

Keep scrolling to check out some of our favorite spring 2018 runway moments featuring socks with sandals, and shop the look too.

The Trend on the runway

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MSGM
(Image credit: Getty Images)

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Marc Jacobs
(Image credit: Getty Images)

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Gucci
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Shop statement socks

Next, check out the Zara section everyone will shop in 2018.

And, if you're in L.A., don't forget to stop by the new Foot Locker flagship store—it features a layout that reflects the shop-in-shop concept where you can shop for everyone in your life in one location.

Bobby Schuessler
Market Director

Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent over seven years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retialers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises. He has also worked across a variety of other media brands and fashion retailers like Refinery29, PureWow, Men's Health, and Gilt covering commerce, trend reporting, women's and men's fashion, home, and lifestyle.