Have freaky shoes gone mainstream? Looking at runways and red carpets lately, where the controversial, barefoot shoe trend is on the rise among other nontraditional styles, one might certainly think so. But on the streets of New York, most people aren’t familiar with the phrase which has taken over the fashion world as of late.
Fashion writer and analyst Mandy Lee, aka @oldloserinbrooklyn, is credited with coining the term “freaky shoes,” which took off on TikTok last year. Her videos showing off her collection of unusual footwear — ranging from ’90s-era Vivienne Westwood animal paw boots to Marni loafers with hoop piercings — inspired others to do the same or find some freaky shoes of their own.
If the trend seemed popular last fall, this year it feels like even more brands and editors are on the freaky shoe beat. But what about everyday New Yorkers? FN did some on-the-ground research to gauge public opinion on the trend and the buzziest unconventional shoe styles from luxury brands. While not everyone had heard of “freaky shoes,” many recognized the controversial Chanel heel-cap cruise 2027 shoe, which took over the Internet because of its extreme take on the barely there aesthetic.
Alice from London, 28, who was wearing studded Gimaguas ballet flats, said of the Chanel runway shoes, “These are crazy. I would not wear these myself because I also live in a city and I dread the consequences of wearing those shoes.”
Matthieu Blazy’s first cruise collection for Chanel featured the barely there heel-cap sandals.
Dominique Maitre/WWD
But Jonathan Fodi, a 28-year-old East Village resident wearing Adidas slides, was all for the divisive Chanel style. “I would wear those, those are sick. As you can tell, I’m trying to be as barefoot as I possibly can right now.”
Nikolay from Bulgaria, 25, who usually wears Nikes when out and about, remarked of the Chanel style and the divisive concept of exposed feet: “I don’t mind feet outside but I don’t think that’s a shoe or anything. It’s probably thousands of dollars.”
Margaret Qualley at 20th Century Studios’ “The Dog Stars” world premiere held at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on Aug. 20 in London.
Matt Crossick
The Chanel shoe found another fan downtown.
“I actually kind of love it,” said 18-year-old Fia Iris from Los Angeles, who wore Marc Jacobs fall 2024 animal print flats. “For spring [and] summer, it’s super fun. I would totally wear that, I don’t know [about] out on Washington Square but on the beach, I’d love it.”
Of the divisive trend of wearing footwear that exposes one’s feet, the Californian said, “It’s kind of chic. I feel like flip-flops have really come back this summer and I’m super into that. The clear shoe is super fun. Honestly guys, bring the primal way back. Bring the feet back.”
Model on the runway on the runway at the Saint Laurent fashion show as part of Paris men’s spring 2027 fashion week held at Bourse de Commerce on June 23.
Giovanni Giannoni
Meanwhile, Saint Laurent’s spring 2027 clear dress shoe for men, which Alexander Skarsgård recently wore on a red carpet, also proved divisive. Fodi of the East Village did not totally approve of the style: “It kind of looks like a plastic bag on your shoe. But I like the shape and I like the laces. Maybe if they were covered I would wear them.”
Alexander Skarsgård attends the screening of “Wicker” during the 70th BFI London Film Festival at BFI Southbank on Oct. 8 in London.
Laura Rose/Dave Benett/WireImage
Nikolay from Bulgaria would “probably not” wear the Saint Laurent shoes and added, “But they’re cool, I like them.”
Alice from London called them “a hard no,” but added of Skarsgård’s style, “To be fair, I do love [the outfits] he wears, but that is a lot.”
Meanwhile, 34-year-old JB from Oakland, Calif., was a fan of the Saint Laurent shoe: “I really like those actually. Those I would consider wearing.”
Suffice to say, two of the runway’s most controversial styles proved divisive on the streets of New York as well. It might take more time for the general public to embrace the freakiest of freaky shoes, but it feels like the needle has shifted. The weirdest shoes our interviewees owned included sporty lace-up pumps, original Russian bath mesh flip-flops, Birkenstock clogs, The Art Company shoes and Tabi mary janes.
On the popularity of the unusual footwear trend, “freaky shoes” trailblazer Mandy Lee told FN last year, “I think fashion causing shock and awe is more or less a thing of the past. The bar for what disturbs and moves us as humans has been raised so high that brands don’t really have a choice other than experimentation to stand out.”
