6 "Ugly" Summer Sandal Trends I'm Refusing to Ditch

If I had it my way, my summer wardrobe would consist solely of bikinis and big T-shirts, but since that doesn't really fly in the real world, I find myself letting loose a bit more in other areas of the sartorial spectrum. One of those areas just so happens to be footwear. While I am all for a chic shoe moment, summer always gives me the courage to get experimental with my shoes, and this season, I am leaning hard into the six "ugly" sandal trends ahead. 

As we've said time and again, "ugly" trends aren't really ugly at all; they simply aren't as "pretty" as, let's say, a delicate kitten heel and definitely feel a tad riskier to test out. Make sense? Ahead, I have listed out the six "ugly" summer sandal trends that I love a lot. Some of the selected are ones you've certainly heard of before, while others are fresh to the scene, but either way, I am here to welcome them into my closet with open arms. After you see how versatile and fun each trend is for yourself, you'll most likely be in full agreement. 

Fisherman Feet

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(Image credit: @tylauren)

Fisherman-style sandals are just the new sandal trend we needed this summer. These caged-in shoes are practical but feel oddly exciting. While it's definitely on the chunkier side, this is one sandal trend that doesn't appear to be "pretty" on the foot, but it sure as hell looks good nonetheless. 

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Casual Clogs

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(Image credit: @helenacuesta)

We started to see the rise of clogs back in the fall, and now, the clog-sandal movement is well underway. Fit with a clunky wooden sole and a simple leather buckle across the toes, once again, this is not a trend that necessarily flatters the foot, but I don't remember the last time I cared about that, so here we are. 

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Sporty Selections

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(Image credit: @slipintostyle)

This one is not new by any means, yet it continues to show up on the feet of fashion girls across the globe. This sporty sandal trend looks perfect with everything from dresses to athletic shorts and doubles as an easy house shoe, which we all need right now.

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Toed-Tied

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(Image credit: @nnennaechem)

Having a piece of leather or fabric tied around your big toe is definitely an interesting look, but it's one that continues to bubble as the temperatures rise. From flat sandals to wrapped-up high heels, this is one sandal detail that will have heads turning all summer long. 

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Fresh Flatforms

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(Image credit: @jen_wonders)

It's been a hot minute since we've seen flatforms pop up as a major trend, but apparently, summer 2020 is their time to shine. These large and loud shoes require a brave wearer, but as we've seen all across social platforms, this sartorial platform is worth the risk for a killer ensemble. 

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Fancy Thongs

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(Image credit: @laurencaruso_)

Heeled thongs also rose up to fame last summer, but there is no slowing their roll as we head full-force into summer 2020. These fancy flip-flops are the perfect versatile shoes to wear with everything from formal to casual seasonal attire. And while the trend itself might make you cringe a tad at the 2000s nostalgia, it's one that I plan on diving back into ASAP.

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Editorial Director

Lauren Eggertsen is currently the editorial director ofBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing and has worked at the company for over eight years, where she started as an associate editor and has since worked her way up. Lauren has over 10 years of experience in the fashion editorial space, starting her career with internships at Marc Jacobs, Marie Claire, and The Zoe Report, where she was later hired as their editorial assistant. Lauren has worked in the Los Angeles and New YorkBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing offices but currently calls L.A. home. It is here where she leads and managesBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's fashion team and oversees all day-to-day editorial content and large tentpole moments. This includes all of the runway, trend, and shopping-driven content that ultimately helps to build a strong brand reputation within the industry. Lauren's role also includes helping to set the fashion direction for all original photo shoots and often styles many of the celebrity cover shoots, including big names like Kaia Gerber, Normani, and Kristen Stewart.

She has also attended multiple fashion weeks, including New York, London, Milan, and Paris, where her personal style has been featured on sites such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, and Elle. She prides herself on discovering and supporting small brands and on her knack for a good vintage shopping find. When she isn't working, she enjoys researching and dining at reputable restaurants around both her neighborhood and the globe.