Flipping over the flops

Pretty shoes walked so ugly shoes could stomp. Here are 10 freaky and shapeless pairs we can't resist. Especially when they come with kitten heels, fur or rhinestones

- By Kritika Kapoor

1 Crocs. Ugly is subjective — unless we're talking Crocs. Even the brand admitted it in 2005 with an “Ugly Can Be Beautiful” campaign, which compared the shoes to dental braces. Forget how it looks, they said. Focus on the function: Anti-slip heel, aerating holes, feather-light comfort. Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Ariana Grande have worn them, Post Malone has sung about them, they've collabed with Justin Bieber. The brand even has a stiletto version and bejewelled pairs. The charms make them look sillier. And somehow, we want a pair.

2 Birkenstock. Bland, brown, boring. But Birks don't even try to be pretty. Users (and hippies, and grandpas and tourists) love them for the contoured orthopedic footbed. But celebrities such as Tyra Banks and Gwyneth Paltrow have slipped into Birks. The brand has released luxe-ish suede versions with Dior, and polka-dot special editions with Manolo Blahnik. They hold on to the OG style. And now, Gigi Hadid and Jennifer Lawrence are wearing it too.

3 Kitten heels.