Ugly is the next big trainer trend for 2017

When did shoes get so ugly? From crocs to pool slides, fashionable footwear designers have been championing the idea that gaudy is cool - now it seems the world of sneakerheads is following suit.

A decade ago it was starkly minimal, fade-into-the-background shoes that the fashion crowd favoured, reaching fever pitch in 2014 with the re-launch of Adidas’ Stan Smith.

But alas, as is the case with most fashion trends, your minimal trainers are about to take an overdue time-out.

With the trend for all things 90s persevering and retro sportswear brands like Champion, Diadora and Ellesse returning to the fashion fold, golden-era running-style sneakers are inspiring a new wave of footwear that considers ugliness an aesthetic statement.

From Balenciaga’s autumn/winter 2017 ‘Triple-S’ to Kanye West’s ‘Yeezy Runner’, a new wave of heavy-duty, high-fashion and flat-out gaudy footwear options are taking over the catwalk.

But, this isn’t a trend reserved solely for runway; plenty of mass-market labels are coveting ugly shoes too.

Adidas recently released the Ozweego 2 in collaboration with designer Raf Simons while Asics Gel Lyte III’s, Air Max 95’s and Reebok’s InstaPump Fury all offer up a more affordable take on the garish trend.

And, while trainers laced with stacked soles, clashing colours and air pockets might not replace your go-to plain white kicks, they are an eye-catching option for the more adventurous fashion crowd.