The ugliest shoes I have ever seen

I was hesitant to post this because it seemed a bit catty, but I had to share these because I'm curious to know what the heck they're called (and I figured you guys would get a snicker out of it). I saw these monstrosities while waiting on line at the Museum of Science in Boston:

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....8_1410.jpg

They are like Crocs and toe socks combined. One or the other is bad enough, but both....AGH.

Now make no mistake: Boston had a VERY low style quotient, and I hardly expected people to be dressed to the nines at the MoS...although I'm hoping I can at least partially attribute that to tourist season. I think our Tanya is by far the best dressed person on the streets (and Nicole and Shiny of course get due credit, but I don't think you guys actually live IN Boston right?). Anyway, in spite of that, I have to say this was probably the worst thing I saw...and as you can see from the surrounding footwear, the competition waasn't exactly fierce (incidentally, the cute pleated flats peeking out on the left belonged to my friend).

Has anyone else seen these awful things? I'm happy (no, thrilled) to say that I haven't seen them anywhere else, so it brings me great relief to know that they're at least not a trend in the making, but the fact that they exist at all is a bit disturbing.

17 years ago

Maya

Veteran

P.S. once I actually find out what these things are called, I want to edit the link to include a picture of the shoes without the people cause that just feels mean (even though you can't see them)...but I can't really google them without knowing what they are called. Toe sock shoes didn't return anything :p

Nicole

I found this site....

http://www.shoe-n-tell.com/vib.....hoes/2006/

Not only are they ugly, but they don't even look comfortable. Why?

Tanya

Ha, those are indeed ugly! I have also never seen them before and don't know what they are called.

Thank you for the lovely compliment! Technically, I live in Cambridge

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh dear. Not so fab. And the flip flops and Tivas surrounding the man/woman from Atlantis are no better.

The style quotient was high in the Boston Newbury street area when I visited. My memories are of extremely preppy modern-classic people. Cambridge was edgier. Does that sound accurate to the Bostonians?

Bearing in mind that I'm about 40 miles outside Boston....I think Newbury Street is a small anomaly. When I think of Boston, I think of the Waterfront, (where the Aquarium is), I think of Quincy Market, the Public Gardens, Fenway, Beacon Hill....and Newbury Street. But Newbury Street is such a small portion of Boston, and since it's where the high end shopping is, it's bound to be a mecca of fashionable people. I find that once you step outside that immediate area, the city is filled with tourists and college students. Even the commuters don't always look their best because they are switching their shoes, or covering up for the grungy subway.

I've never found Boston to be a particularly fashionable city.

I'd say that both Angie and Nicole are right about the Boston style quotient. Since Newberry street is the premier shopping area, and place to go to people watch, that's where everyone is more fashion conscious. Cambridge is indeed edgier, probably due to the huge concentration of students and artists. The rest, as Nicole notes, is nothing to be excited about.

NancyT

Active Member

Whoa...they look rather reptilian!

Anonymous

Oh my word. Those look like something I would expect to see at the beach in San Diego. But I never even saw them THERE. What the heck ARE they???? It looks like someone's attempt to get around the "no shirt, no shoes, no service" rules!

HannahMichelle

I recently just read an article about these shoes in Runner's World magazine. I have no idea why anyone would wear these on the street though! Apparently they are designed for outdoor sports like running, hiking, water sports, etc for people who are looking for a more "natural" approach than traditional footwear, without going completely barefoot. Interesting concept, but I'm not biting. LOL

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com

Munequita

Oh my goodness! These are SO hilarious! Am I the only one that laughed at first? These are definitely super duper ugly but they are also the funniest things I've seen in a while! Thanks for sharing these with us Maya because they really made me laugh.

Oh, and I would prefer to be caught wearing Tevas or flip flops anyday over these (not that I would wear them though, but if I had to choose)...I think these 'shoes' are on a league of their own.

Muequita, it took SO much self control not to laugh in front of that poor girl. I felt bad but at the same time I almost felt like she deserved it for leaving the house like that :p

HannahMichelle, thank you for finally satisfying my curiosity! I don't think I bite either, and I have the fussiest feet on earth. The MoS had a lot of interactive stuff, but I don't think any of it required mountaineering skills.

Tanya, Angie, Nicole: I was a bit shocked at what I saw. I don't know why. Boston has always struck me as being a pretty sophisticated city, so I had just assumed the dress code would follow. While we were waiting on line at the aquarium, my friend and I played a "count the Crocs" game. There were SO many people wearing them. If it wasn't Crocs, it was flipflops. There was definitely a lot of gear, unflattering cropped pants, and tshirts. Angie would have had an apoplexy. I figured a lot of it had to do with the fact that I was in some touristy areas, but it seemed to be true all over. I didn't go near any shopping areas (didn't want to deal with temptation), so I guess I could have spotted a few "dos" there than all the "don'ts" I ended up seeing. Some days I seriously felt like I was overdressed, even though I was actually pretty casual.

This is what *I* wore to the MoS:

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_1076.jpg

Maya, you looked perfect for the Museum! That top is so pretty and flattering on you. I almost got it myself, but I didn't really need it.

As for Boston dressing, what you describe is pretty much the sad truth, other than exceptions I mentioned earlier in the thread.

Lori

Those are so ugly! I don't get it...

Maya -- your outfit looks wonderful! Perfect for a day on the town.

~ Lori

*apoplexy*

Recovered. I think people tend to dress better in Autumn and Winter.

Maya, you looked perfect. Thank you for sharing stylish museum-going you. LOVE your outfit!

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