To Some, These Fall Trends Are "Ugly," But To Us, They're Incredibly Cool

If there's anything that Miu Miu's latest runway collections have taught us, it's that there's no shortage of "ugly" fashion trends this season. (We're all still thinking about those librarian-inspired looks here at Who What Wear.) A reminder to all: "ugly" trends are not in fact, ugly, but describe designs that are out of the ordinary yet define what's cool for those in the know. They may be questionable to the general public and haters will continue hating, but we will continue wearing them because fashion is about rejecting societal norms of what's deemed flattering anyway, right?

"Ugly" trends are cyclical. Some of them last a short time span, but some end up having more staying power than you'd think. Despite these unique trends facing the "ugly" adjective, they're being worn both ironically and unironically by the fashion set. Take a look at the list below and decide what piques your interest. Keep scrolling to add a little dose of uniqueness to your wardrobe this season.

Barrel Jeans

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(Image credit: @elizagracehuber)

Wide-leg jeans continue to be popular, but it's the barrel-leg fit that has the fashion set buzzing right now. Whether you want to go full horse-shoe silhouette or keep it subtle, there are plenty of options on the market for your consideration.

Studded Embellishments

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(Image credit: @katcollings)

If you were on Tumblr, you'd remember when everyone was adding studs to their denim shorts and jeans. And before that, Y2K was filled with celebrities wearing embellished jeans. Well, the style is back for 2023, but it's being done in a whole new way. 

"Hairy" Knits

If you already have a solid selection of classic sweaters you rely on, a statement sweater like the ones below is a nice addition to mix things up. This knitwear trend may not be for everyone, but you have to admit, it's impeccably cool.

Track Pants

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(Image credit: @LAURAREILLY___)

Track pants aren't just for going on a run or playing soccer anymore. Master the comfortable yet elevated look by pairing them with a polished blazer or jacket. 

Mesh Shoes

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(Image credit: @DEBORABROSA)

Whether you love them or hate them, mesh shoes aren't going anywhere right now.

Metallic Accessories

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(Image credit: @daniellejinadu)

In the walls of the fashion world, metallic accessories are the *it* trend. Outside the walls? Not so much. But don't let that keep you from adding a pop of chrome or silver to your look—we're considering it the new neutral. 

Athletic Sneakers

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(Image credit: @haileybieber)

Trust us, your feet will thank you. While many people compromise comfort for style, you won't have to give up pain-free fashion with these sneakers in tow.

Associate Fashion Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.