August 2, 2010

WHY ARE UGLY SHOES SO TRENDY?

Why is it that when everyone’s fawning over the latest Jimmy Choo/ stiletto/ Louboutin wedge, an ugly shoe suddenly becomes the latest fashion craze? (Remember Dr Scholls, Birkenstocks, Crocs, MBT, Uggs etc?)

That’s happening now with the Worishofer above (about £55). An orthopaedic demi-wedge with a cork sole originating 70 years ago in the Bavarian spa town of Bad Wörishofen, it’s quickly gained cult status far from the catwalk after being spotted on Maggie Gellenhaal and Kirsten Dunst.

So resembling a Dr Scholl except it’s on a cork wedge, it succeeds in even making a Croc look sexy! And what about that name? Sounds like something left over by the Waffen SS

DO YOU WEAR (OR EVER WORN) FITNESS SHOES? DID THEY MAKE YOU (OR YOUR FEET) FITTER? DO TELL ME!

Happy Ruby Tuesday/Rednesday! And do visit other Ruby Tuesday/Rednesday posts!
Enjoy!
XOXO LOLA:)
PS See you again for Alphabe-Thursday!

57 comments:

Coffeeveggie addict. said...

well,it doesn't lo0k g0od 0n my feet,i usually g0 f0r c0mf0rtable 0ne than l0ok f0r the latest in fashi0n trend
Happy ruby tuesday!

☺lani☺ said...

I'm not after how the shoes look good as long as I'm comfortable wearing them ;), Have a nice day!

Pondside said...

I love shoes. If I find a pair that I adore, I'll buy it in two colours. The Great Dane doesn't always understand - sadly.
This shoe is ugly. It could only be made uglier by the addition of ankle socks. I'm sure that the people who've made it so popular are tall and willowy with legs that go to their ears. I can only imagine that these shoes would look like cork boats on the ends of my stubby legs. I'll pass on them, thank you.

Haute World said...

These are horrendous. I think unless you have serious foot problems, where it's actually advisable you wear something comfortable, I wouldn't touch these. I did once have a pair of the 'fashiony' Dr. Sholls, with the high heel, but only wore them for a few months. Crocs are evil by the way...

reg said...

wow, these are sure ugly !!!!

niko said...

a not so trendy wedge that costs $55? what happened to people out there who buys shoes for fitness :D hihih

thats the craze nowadays but hey they can spend their money on where they want to BUT i wont buy that crap :D hihihih

my $55 can go a very long way!

thanks for dropping by my blog! ;) see u next tuesday!!

Style At Every Age said...

Yuk! They are truly vile with a capital V! Still love my Uggs though!

Michelle said...

Hate Scholls, Crocs. MBTs - all leave me in blisters!

Jan said...

No idea why they're so trendy - certainly not for their supposed fitness! 8-)

Mike said...

Can never understand why women put up with so much discomfort for so little apparent benefit?! Men don't!

tania said...

Word veri is "ugli"!haha

Holly said...

Agree-they are ugly, ugly, ugly! :(

Lady Demeter said...

I think that's only something for people with some foot illnesses =/

Happy RT!

Liz said...

It's ugly! But more often those ugly shoes are more comfortable.

Happy RT!

My entries:
Moms... Check Nyo
Yummy-as-can-be

teawithonesugarplease said...

Ugly, Ugly, Uglier, what pensioners would wear in the summer with pop socks - you won't catch me in these!

Unknown said...

I have to admit a secret fondness for birkinstocks ;) although these shoes here are truly horrid.
No, I've never tried fitness shoes. Just seems like a silly craze that certain shoes would make your bum look better--someone should mention that its more about exercise than footwear :)
*kisses* HH

Ralph said...

I don't pay so much attention to what passes for stylish or trendy these days. But in a world where Crocs and Uggs are popular, I suppose that ugly in the new beautiful - I guess!

laterg8r said...

i know people will say that they are comfortable but who cares, if they are ugly you shouldn't wear em (i'd never wear em)! :D

Dimple said...

I may be the only one who thinks these shoes are attractive, but I do! Of course, I am in the group which opts for comfort. I have two pairs of Crocs which I wear frequently. I admit they're ugly, but I like them anyway!

And the capcha is: dishi

Chubskulit Rose said...

Maybe because Jimmy Choo is a popular designer.

High Seas Expedition for Ruby Tuesday.

Carletta said...

As soon as I saw the photo I thought of Dr. Scholl's. I had a pair of red Dr. Scholl's in college and wore they constantly.
I have the ugly Crocs but they are comfortable.
I did try on a pair of fitness shoes and they felt comfortable but so far I haven't bought any.

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Nora and Lola,

Isn't it funny the shoes that are ugly are comfortable. When can they invent a stylish, comfortable shoe?
I have a pair of Birkenstocks in the back of the wardrobe and have worn out a pair of crocs. Sometimes it is good to be comfy when you are walking around home.

Happy week, dears.
Hugs
Carolyn

ps. Thanks for your visit you asked when Spring was coming to NZ ... it is September, so not long now and the weather will be better.

Verns said...

those shoes you mentioned are perfectly comfortable .. though they are ugly .. your feet are heavely comfy.. that's why .. but this one is nice for a casual walk in sundress... thanks for dropping by Petty Things In Life

Berlin said...

This is what I really don't like, just because it's branded doesn't mean everything is gorgeous, and even though it isn't nice to say it but this shoe is not great at all.

Well, different people have different taste.. so I am sure there are people out there who love this shoe.


A bucket of stars,
Berlin

bichonpawz said...

Yikes! I do not like those shoes at all...WHY are they fashionable? Don't know...ages ago I had several pairs of the original Dr. Scholl's...with the wooden bottom. I absolutely adore cute shoes and HIGH heels. Sadly, I have rheumatoid arthritis and major foot problems which prevent me from wearing cute shoes much anymore. I also fall alot. I did try a pair of the Fit Flops...in lavender leather...but I wasn't happy with how they stretched out! They stretched AlOT! Have to admit...they were comfortable, but not so cute...
xoxo Jeanne and Chloe / LadyBug too

Francisca said...

You ask why are ugly shoes are trendy and I ask why do comfortable shoes need to be ugly! I no longer do stilettos or any high heels, but neither do I wear dowdy shoes.

Hootin Anni said...

I could wear this...it's the CROCS that are ugly to me.

LOOTERS is my Tuesday blog. I do hope you can find time to drop by if given a chance. Have a great day.

july_blogizta said...

hmmmm.. as long as they're comfOrtable to wear..my mum loves to wear sandals like these..lol

anemonen said...

Well I don´t like them.

Auntie E said...

I wear Berkies and love them. I do like this shoe here.
My Ruby Link for you.

Lesa said...

Does look more like an older womans shoe but Since I like to be contrary, I will say these shoes are diamonda compared to crocs ect. I wear leather wedges all the time with capris, shorts, casual skirts-- I prefer a strappier look and I am more of a born or clarks artisan type girl but I can see these being very cute with the right outfit.

Felisol said...

Ha! I just put on my MBT shoes for a shopping tour in the city center today. My back is still aching like mad..
I also have a pair of red Dr. Scholl's. They are gentle to my back.
Good looking shoes are not made for walking, at least not for me.
I have a pair of sky high red stilettos to wear in and out of theater.
My favorites are a pair of 10 years old leather hiker shoes.

Mary Lou said...

I'm always in search of shoes that don't hurt my feet or make my back hurt. Am I old? Not in my opinion!
Those look great.
I like the version of Hallelujah.

Martha said...

LOL.. I wear crocs most every day to work, they are the only shoes that I can be on my feet for 6-8 hours and they are not killing me by the end of the night... and guess what I have RED ones (that I don't wear to work!) I used to love Dr Scholl's too!! And if I could wear sandals to work, I would be sporting my Birkenstocks!!!! Sometimes ugly is comfy!

Thanks for stopping by

Loree said...

Thanks for visiting my blog. That is so interesting that you used to live in Malta. Hope you can return one day. It has changed a lot - lots of buildings everywhere. I miss the Malta of my childhood.

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

When it comes to shoes , I go for comfort.In my younger days , I suffered for style, but not now. lol
Blessings,
~Myrna

Spadoman said...

I stopped by, (how could I resist with that lovely invitation?) Hmmmmm, ugly shoes. Well, I guess my shoes are ugly, but no one has ever told me so. I did have those velcro deals by New Balance, they were useless. Never wore fitness shoes, but a chiropractor gave me a prescription for inserts many yuears ago. I put them in for about a week, took them out and threw them away and never went back to a chiropractor again.
I have black crocs, the ones with a fluffy liner. They are my house slippers and I only wear them in Winter.
Nice blog. Thanks for the visit to mine.

Peace.

Johanna S said...

Haha love the picture of the ugly but shorly comfortble shoe.

Happy RT and tx for your visit!

B : ) said...

OMG! When I came to your blog, nothing had loaded yet but the background and I was blown away!! I buy art like that. The colors sing to me. Wow. Where did you get it? As to ugly shoes, that's all I wear. When I discovered Crocs I never went back, although I must admit I only bought faux crox until my local Big Lots had real ones for $10 and I finally got my YELLOW ones!!! The only time I don't wear them now is when I put on my Skechers Shape Ups which I also love. I can't stand shoes, so their sole purpose is to feel good - couldn't care less what they look like. I was going to work till 65 (at a very good job) but our Director decided we could not wear Crocs, so I promptly said see ya and retired at 62 - THAT'S how important they are to me!

maryt/theteach said...

Nora and Lala I have so much trouble with shoes... I'd go baredoot if I could... Happy Ruby Tuesday!

Jim said...

What an interesting post and blog.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

GardenOfDaisies said...

I actually like the look of those... if they were just in a different color. They look comfortable, and that is what I look for.

Digital Flower Pictures said...

Since I wear a size 17 any shoe is a good one, even if it ugly.

Lina Gustina said...

It doesn't look good, very modest and old-fashioned; but surely it's comfort to wear.

Thanks for dropping by...

Teacher Engineer said...

wow what a lovely sandal u got:)

Maharlikah said...

Maybe because it is durable or comfortable to wear that's why it's in. :-)) Have a nice day!

anne said...

I agree with sometimes I cant understand the heels anymore, it seems like if I wear it, I cant take a few steps at all haist

LV said...

I will have to check these out. I have a terrible time finding shoes I can wear. I have too many little foot annoyances.

Ann said...

I only wear shoes that I feel look good on my feet, comfort comes in second.
I have spent 9 years in Germany and often saw shoes very similar, maybe not the same brand but still the same look. Funny now they are the rage!

Wendy said...

That shoe is definitely not nearly us ugly as a Croc. Remember ET? he was pretty ugly too - one day, ugly, the next day cute - no accounting for fads and taste. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Kat said...

Oh ick. I work for a vet, and wear athletic shoes all day. Alot of the girls wear crocs, and I just detest them. These are nearly as bad. I do remember when Dr. Scholls were all the rage, and in junior high I admit to wearing (gasp) earth shoes LOL. Kat

Penghuni 60 said...

nice...!

Betty said...

I have trouble getting shoes to fit, so I really don't have much to choose from. I just have to get something that says on my feet, so I'd never have that shoe.

Mary said...

I would wear these before I wore Crocs, Birkenstocks or Uggs :-)

SUSAN SONNEN said...

Definitely an understated look. :D

Stef said...

Wow! I love it! My mom would love to wear one too!

eden said...

I like it. it's pretty.