Very distressed jeans Image: Amazon Fashion
The phenomenon has not entirely washed up on Indian shores yet. Hints can be seen in ripped jeans and worn out tees. Designer Hema Kaul says, “In India, we have seen some trends - fur and ruffles together or embroidery mixed with metallics or feathers –on the runway and films.” Some stars such as Sonam Kapoor seem to be pulling it off without hurting the eye. Younger celebrities such as Janhvi Kapoor and Tania Shroff have been spotted in clunky Balenciaga sneakers. But we’d say, with confidence, Ranveer Singh saw it coming long ago.
Could this be one way of staying woke? Rejecting ideas of beauty and fit in the industry that runs on beauty and fit? Designer Pooja Shroff certainly thinks so. “Beauty isn’t a fixed notion. Maybe these trends are a form of protest to show that no one cares for validation. Women sporting trends like un-waxed underarms or hairy upper lips with complete confidence could be a part of the movement,” she says.
Designer duo Shyam and Ravi Gupta of Gargee Designs plunge it a couple of notches deeper. “There is nothing ugly about anything. It’s just the expression of an artist. The indifferent style that is unique and different from the usual designs is ‘ugly fashion’. People who are still attached to classics such as heels and short dresses will find these comfortable clothes scandalous.”
Fashion is, ultimately, about rebellion and challenging the convention and every trend is a reaction to something that has gone before. Startlingly bad taste seems as valid a way to stand out as any other. Fashion Psychologist Dawnn Karen – yes, there is such a profession - in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar was quoted saying, “Ugly fashion is a way to effectively wake up the people”.
No one can say it’s never been done before. Who hasn’t looked back at some flower power ensembles and gone ugh. But there is one difference this time. The trend is confessing to and owning ‘ugly’. It’s speaking up for freedom and comfort and dissing vanity and discomfort.
For everyone heaving a sigh of relief, pick a repulsive accessory and go figure your ugly quotient. Try crocs and classic high boots, sheer clothes, cargo pants, thick sole shoes, smock dresses, and vintage denim cut t-shirts. Or suit yourself, because that’s exactly what the trend seems to be about.
Hopefully, these are signs that things could eventually get really ugly here too. An enthusiastic welcome party is ready. Kaul says this is, perhaps, the best time to step out of the comfort zone. “I'm totally game for the ugly smart fashion.” She thinks electric yellow, biker shorts, platform sandals, sock shoes and dad sneakers are making quite the mark (or scar, if you will).
Narendra Kumar, Creative Director at Amazon Fashion, points out that the trend is more about one or two things that stand out in an ensemble than an entire look. “The trend is interesting when adapted to design shoes and sneakers.” Hideous, thick platform crocs from Balenciaga, ‘fugly’ sneakers from Dsquared2 and Prada’s scuba shoe with Velcro straps pay homage to the anti-fashion trend.
Rick Owen's runway parade looks like it’s from the American Horror Show. You may say ugly lies in the eyes of the beholder. Well, behold this?
A few seasons ago, designers couldn’t stop raving about normcore - unpretentious, normal-looking clothing on the runway. However, this year, things have gone too far down that aisle. Fashion experts and designers are all about attire that looks positively revolting. The trendiest thing right now is an oxymoron: ugly fashion.
The rule is that there are no rules. From a mix of jarring neon shades to gender-neutral styles that were frowned upon for being ‘ill-fitted’ or even the much dreaded pairing of sandals with socks - in 2018, everything is acceptable. It’s deliberately, calculatedly unflattering. Faux pas-like fanny packs, orthopedic sneakers, oversized sweaters, prairie dresses and eye-scarring visions of denim (ripped, thong and unstructured jeggings), yes, they’re the thing. Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Justin Beiber and Kendell Jenner seem to be the high priests of how outlandish it gets.
Kim Kardashian in biker shorts, a puffy jacket and sneakers Image: The Telegraph
Only Sonam Kapoor could have carried that off Image: Instagram
