This year, the fashion world’s shoe game is anything but tame. If you’ve been hoping for a quiet moment with some sleek ballet flats or trusty Adidas Sambas, 2025 just might have you longing for the good old days. Instead, the streets are brimming with controversial shoe trends that are equal parts eye-catching and honestly head-scratching.
From shoes that aspire to be farm-animal couture to those that could easily identify a 2016 time traveler, these six controversial shoe trends are stirring up strong opinions. Love them or loathe them, there’s no denying they’ve got folks talking—including fashion people, who are snatching them all up this year. Whether you’re all in for the bold, bizarre looks of Tabi slippers or still reeling from the return of sock shoes (who knew that was a thing?), one thing is clear: The shoes of 2025 are here to make a statement.
Sock Shoes
I never thought I’d see the day when sock shoes were back in style, but alas, here we are. I’ve had a love-hate relationship with the style since buying Balenciaga’s Speed Knit nearly a decade ago, but after seeing the soft leather and silk styles on influencers and runway models during Carven’s F/W 24 show, I can’t deny I’m curious about the style and willing to give it another go this year.
Zara Home
Leather Ankle Boots
