Fashion is set to repeat itself again in 2026, only louder. The so called “chaussure ringarde” the shoe everyone called ugly two seasons ago is stepping back in, from practical clogs to square toe pumps and unapologetic dad sneakers. The twist this time is scale, not irony. Comfort led designs moved from niche to cultural mainstage, and the retail machine is now lining up for a mass return.
There are hard signs. Birkenstock listed on the New York Stock Exchange on 11 October 2023 at 46 dollars a share, valuing the brand at about 8.6 billion dollars according to its filing. The Lyst Index named the Birkenstock Boston clog the hottest product in the third quarter of 2022, then put the Adidas Samba at number one in the first quarter of 2023. Balenciaga’s Triple S, the poster child of dad sneakers, dates back to 2017. Add an industry lead time that typically runs 12 to 18 months from runway to high street, and 2026 looks like the moment when “ugly” stops being niche and turns mainstream again.
The “chaussure ringarde” comeback in 2026 explained
Here is the basic pattern. Designers test a counter intuitive shape, early adopters flex it online, luxury houses iterate through collaborations, then retailers double down with accessible versions. That wave has already started for clogs, jellies, Velcro sneakers, thick flatform flip flops and square toe pumps. By 2026, supply will meet the curiosity built since 2023.
Comfort is not a side note anymore. Pandemic habits never fully left, and consumers kept choosing soft footbeds, padded straps, and easy closures for daily life. When status brands validate those forms with premium materials and higher price points, the look shifts from ironic to desired. The result feels pragmatic, which suits a cost conscious mood.
Retail calendars do the rest. Pre orders placed off 2024 and 2025 presentations hit shelves in waves across 2025, then go wide through 2026 as buyers repeat what sold. That lag explains why a shape mocked today can feel normal next year. It is not an overnight turn, it is distribution at work.
Signals already visible on runways et in stores
Dates matter. The Birkenstock Boston topping The Lyst Index in 2022 set the tone. Adidas Samba leading in early 2023 showed low profile silhouettes could dominate again. Both proved that unfussy heritage can outperform flashier releases for more than one season.
Add the archive pull. Luxury houses reissued square toe pumps across 2024 collections, while mainstream labels tested jelly sandals and platform flip flops in summer drops. Collaborations keep pushing clogs from gardening to going out territory. This sequel builds quietly through price ladders and color updates, not a single viral moment.
Legacy wins reinforce investor confidence. Birkenstock’s public listing in 2023 was not about a fad, it rewarded decades of orthopaedic minded design turned aspirational. When capital moves like that, wholesale usually follows with breadth and depth the next cycle.
How to wear the ugly shoe trend in 2026 without regret
Practical beats performative. The goal is not to cosplay the meme, it is to lock a silhouette that works all week and still reads current in photos a year later. Start with neutral colors and everyday fabrics, then layer texture to keep it sharp.
One simple rule helps. Ground chunky or blunt shapes with clean lines up top. Think tailored shorts with clogs, straight denim with square toe pumps, technical nylon with Velcro sneakers. The proportions do the styling for you.
Looking for low risk picks that age well
- Clogs with leather uppers and a slim outsole for office to weekend
- Square toe pumps with a small block heel in black or chocolate brown
- Velcro sneakers in white or grey with minimal branding
- Jelly fisherman sandals in smoky translucent tones for warm months
What changes by 2026 : price points, resale, sustainability
Expect broader price bands. Premium takes will sit near entry luxury, while mass brands deliver under 100 dollars with similar profiles. That laddering arrives once buyers see reorder data across 2025, then expand styles and size runs into 2026.
Resale habits will push the cycle forward. Items with durable materials leather clogs, solid rubber soles tend to hold value better than foam or novelty plastics. The Lyst Index history shows that once a model tops the chart in one quarter, it often enjoys a long tail through the next year, which keeps secondhand demand healthy without sudden cliffs.
There is also the materials question. Brands are shifting toward recycled rubbers and certified leathers to meet targets published since 2022, and that shift shows up in footwear first because it is a high impact category. Buyers will see more product pages detailing source, composition and repair options. That transparency supports the practical spirit of “chaussure ringarde” and makes the comeback feel earned, not just nostalgie.