I Hate "Ugly" Shoes—Here's What I'm Buying Instead
If you have to use the word "chunky" to describe a pair of shoes, I would have to kindly pass on them. While the ugly shoe trend continues to gain steam, I have personally never quite caught onto the idea of wearing something purposely misshapen, exceedingly bulky, or otherwise weirdly designed. I don't love this type of shoes on the rack, but I especially don't like how they look on my feet—I'm 5'10" and shoe size 9.5, so I feel like I'm clopping around in chunky shoes that more-petite girls could pull off more easily. (To be clear, that's just my opinion: Tall girls, go crazy with your platform sneakers if that's your vibe.)
Luckily, there are plenty of anti-ugly shoes out there if you happen to agree with me. Ready to swap your dad shoes for sleek sneakers, pretty prints, and timeless colors? I love the slim profile of the Nike Cortez Sneakers ($70), for instance, and I own them in three different colors. I love to wear them with blazers to the office and jeans on the weekend. Aquazzura, Bally, and Tabitha Simmons also offer plenty of pretty shoe trends if you're ready to make an investment for 2019 (and you definitely should). Scroll down to shop the pretty shoe trends I'm wearing right now.
1. Flat Mules
Yep, I'm wearing my navy version of these shoes while I'm typing this.
I can always count on Bally to offer grown-up, sophisticated versions of the best trends out there.
2. Printed Heels
My favorite Zara shoes (above) have since sold out, but these pretty Tabitha Simmons versions are a worthy alternative.
3. Sleek Sneakers
More Anti-Ugly Shoes
Malone Souliers x Emanuel Ungaro might be my favorite new shoe collab.
Like clockwork, velvet always comes back in style every winter.
If you haven't bought a pair of J.Crew shoes lately, you're sorely missing out.
Fashion girls are obsessed with By Far's shoes and bags, and these minimalist sandals are the cream of the crop.
Cult French brand Sézane always churns out covetable shoes, including these simple yet pretty sneakers.
Yes, ankle boots can be pretty too—just consider these sleek Paige shoes as proof.
These René Caovilla flats are as beautiful as any pair of heels.
Next up: the seven shoe trends Kate Middleton never wears anymore.
Erin got her start as aBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing intern over 13 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of Associate Director of Fashion News (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible. Outside of work, she loves tennis, classic rock, traveling, and smothering her dog with affection.