Ugly Fashion: The Unlikely Trend Redefining Style in 2024

When one talks about fashion, what comes to mind is cool, trendy and attractive. Have you ever associated the word ugly with fashion? Fashion can’t be ugly but interestingly, the new vocabulary that fashion experts coin is generating a buzz among fashion enthusiasts. 

In the past couple of years, one may have come across this so-called Ugly, Controversial or Anti-style phenomenon where clothing or accessories once considered unattractive, brandless, unremarkable, or even bizarre become popular and embraced by the fashion industry. For example, fashion trends like bleached eyebrows, combat shorts, stomper boots, chunky “dad” sneakers, oversized glasses, or neon colours.

 ‘Ugly fashion’- The transition from uncool, unfashionable” to high fashion status.

Ugly fashion trends” refers to a quirky offshoot of the normcore trend- Controversial designs that are out of the ordinary and campy. This transition from “uncool” to “high fashion” often happens when designers, influencers, or celebrities start to incorporate these unconventional styles into their looks, making them trendy and desirable. In their words. “Ugly trend encourages a fearless approach to style that resonates deeply with the spirit of individuality or self-expression.

Accessories and styling (be it hair or makeup or clothes) that were once viewed as outdated or tacky but have since been reinterpreted by high fashion designers and are now seen on runways and in street style. The appeal often lies in the irony, boldness, and statement-making nature of these trends, challenging traditional ideas of what is considered beautiful or stylish.

 “Ugly” Fashion Trends Celebs Flaunted in 2024

• Oversized, chunky sneakers continue to dominate, with stars pairing them with everything from sarees to streetwear, blending comfort with high fashion. Celebs have paired them with traditional outfits
• Revival of “dad” jeans—high-waisted, loose, and decidedly unflattering by conventional standards, yet they are now a wardrobe staple for many celebrities.
• Bold neon ensembles, once considered garish are now the new love of celebs from head to toe
• Platform Crocs styled with everyday wear

• The return of the Y2K-inspired low-rise jeans, often criticized for their unflattering fit, has been embraced by the fashion-forward
• Dresses over Pants
• Bleached eyebrow and Sporty sunglasses
• Mixing and matching different patterns and textures to create a deliberately uncoordinated look

To sum up, Ugly fashion is not about ugly clothing but it’s a whole counter-culture that’s now giving lessons in style to the elites.