Adorning the feet of your fave celebrities, kicked into frame (à la Princess Diaries ‘leg pop’ – IYKYK) by influencers filming OOTD videos, and maybe even providing the finishing touches to your own ensembles, there is no shortage of ugly shoe trends this season. But IMO, the worst offenders are the New Balance 1906 Loafers. After initially launching last year, the ‘controversial’ style (as correctly labelled by Vogue) is back in a new colourway.
Claiming to “offer a fresh take on smart casual, combining sophistication, comfort, and the unexpected,” the trainer brand’s take on the classic silhouette consists of taking signature New Balance design details and reimagining them onto a traditional penny loafer. The open-holed mesh upper, swooshing overlays and stacked sole featuring ABZORB SBS pods at the heel – New Balance’s cushioning technology – have all been transferred directly from best-selling trainers. Specifically, the 860v2 shoes).
It’s fair to say I have fully embraced the revival of the chunky dad trainer, adding more than a few pairs to my own footwear collection. I adore my New Balance 990v6! However, I am not a fan of the 1906 Loafer. In fact, I can safely say it’s the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen.
My immediate dismissal is largely down to the fact that it’s a hybrid design, merging two separate styles – loafers and fashion trainers – in one. It’s far from the only Franken-shoe I have an issue with. See this season’s rise of the ballet trainers, also known as *shudders* sneakerinas, deemed as one of the biggest trainer trends around RN. Admittedly, Chloë Sevigny’s recent Ecco campaign has convinced me to add a pair of beige Ecco Biom C-Trails to my wishlist, but I maintain fashion mash-ups are rarely successful – I present jeggings as Exhibit A – and more than that, just aren’t necessary.
Chloë Sevigny wears the Ecco Biom C-Trails for the brand’s latest campaign
Footwear has come a long way in recent years with advancements in sole technology, ensuring comfort is placed in equal priority with style. Plus, the scenarios in which I choose to wear loafers versus trainers rarely cross over. I reserve my loafers for occasions requiring a smarter dress code, they’re a regular part of my summer workwear rotation. A trainer hybrid is hardly the same level of sophisticated, and instead comprises the security of a trainer by removing the laces, one of the elements that makes it so appealing in the first place.
It’s going to take a fashion girlie* much cooler than me to pull these off.
*NB: The loafers have divided the Cosmo fashion team, as Senior Fashion Editor Rebecca is a big fan of the ugly shoe trend (the uglier the better). Which side will your feet be on this summer?
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Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
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