This autumn, the fashion world was sent into a tizzy by the announcement that Ugg and Teva (both well-heeled members of the ugly-chic style family), were expecting their own little bundle of collaborative joy. In September the happy family was delivered of said bundle of joy, the Ugg x Teva sandal. Several christening names were immediately suggested, including “Frankenshoe” (take a look at the pictures and decide for yourself).

The Ugg x Teva collaboration is not some anomalous freak of nature however, but rather part of a current trend for ‘ugly shoes’ clomping its way into our shops, homes and, alas, wardrobes. The family tree is extensive, encompassing Crocs (which recently made a bejewelled appearance at London Fashion Week), slides (seen on celebrities like Cara Delevingne) and everyone’s favourite quirky uncle, Birkenstocks. Ugly shoes are more on point than ever before.

It is hard to see what do these shoes mean: they are not functional (open-toed wool-lined boots make little sense), nor do they declare bold aesthetic principles. They are not even cheap, at $225 for a pair. In other words, they the perfect symbol of a broader trend in fashion towards the ironic. Shoppers are bored of the beautiful and cynical about the sincere. They want to be shocked! They want to be challenged! They want to be sardonic in their sartorial choices! The existence of Ugg x Teva sandals is a declaration that we’re in the know, we get what’s happening in the world and what’s more, we can laugh about it.

Maybe fashion can bring us all together, by bringing us all in on this one big joke. We can all be a part of the Ugg x Teva family…for $225.

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