Fashion is all about exploration and self-expression, so it would be wrong to impose limits on clothing choices. The flavor is in the variety, and no new style or trend could start without bold pioneers trying something new! That said, there are times when innovation goes a little far and skews an outfit from “bold” to “weird” very quickly, and it never ceases to amuse us to explore some of the strangest fashion choices these people actually wore. Let's take a look...
A Hairy Monstrosity
Call us old-fashioned, but we think there’s a limit to how much one can tear holes into denim clothing before they become simply broken. That said, this odd modification to this jacket was undoubtedly purposeful. Perhaps it might have helped the lady keep her hair out of her face on a windy day? Let's just hope her hair didn't get caught on the embellishments on the back of her jacket!
It makes us wonder: what's wrong with a traditional hair tie? Or a scrunchie? Or even a ribbon? We're really hoping that this trend doesn't come into fashion. RIP our beautiful jackets!
Where’s the Rest of This Jacket?
Our first reaction when we saw this jacket was: where's the rest of it? When you go to buy a jacket or coat, you're typically looking for something to keep you warm. Of course, some pieces are on the flimsier side - but this takes Avant-garde to whole new heights. There is literally no back to this jacket at all! This begs the question: what purpose does this piece serve?
Admittedly, the fringed denim almost looks like feathers that are quite pretty. But it doesn't seem like a practical choice for the back of a jacket.
Shell-Shocked at These Oyster Nails
Specialty nails are a great way to express yourself in unique ways. Done right, they can add quirky detail to your outfit that ties it all together, inject a burst of color to your look, or simply bring a little glamour to your day. However, the above picture demonstrates that there's a limit to how creative one should get with their nails. What we're looking at are oyster-themed stick-on nails. Is it us, or do these look like something right out of a horror film?
Even though they start to make us feel nauseous when we look at them for too long, we have to hand it to whoever designed these nails - they've done a great job at creating a 3D effect!
Eve Won’t Be Tempted a Second Time
There are few stories as famous and well-known as the serpent tempting Eve in the garden of Eden. So it stands to reason that the creature probably once had a unique appeal with its elegant movement and dark scales. However, seeing these novelty tights, we think maybe the days when snakes could tempt anyone or anything are over. At best, these socks could work as part of a Halloween costume?
Or as a surprising (maybe disconcerting) twist in the bedroom? While we don’t want to judge too harshly, we know we’d stay several meters away if this is what greeted us when someone took their shoes off.
Steve Buscemi Leggings
Is it us, or are the faces of Steve Buscemi that are plastered all over these leggings a bit like the Mona Lisa? In so much that it doesn't matter which angle you stare at him, it feels like you're constantly making eye contact! Creepy, right? Of course, we all have our favorite celebrities, and sometimes graphic tee-shirts can hit the mark - especially if it's a band and you're going to their gig.
However, we're struggling to work out when you would wear these novelty leggings. You would have to be a die-hard Steve Buscemi fan to walk out the house wearing these bad boys!
A Creepy Swimsuit
Novelty pieces can be great fun, but in cases like these, they can also take things way too far. When we first saw this, all we could think was ewww. There is nothing funny or appealing about this swimsuit layering a man’s incredibly hairy chest over the lady’s torso. The results are simply gross and off-putting. Perhaps the designer was trying to make an important statement about female vs. male body censorship.
Still, in this case, we think the point could have been just as well expressed in writing. Unfortunately, we won’t unsee this for a while and fully expect this image to haunt us in our nightmares!
We See What You Did There
There is a lot to like about comfortable woolen socks on a rainy winter’s day. There is also quite a bit to like about these bold, see-through, zip-up high-heeled boots. Like any other peep toe shoe, we imagine these boots were designed to be worn barefoot - perhaps with a pretty pedicure? However, the combination of socks and transparent shoes is an odd choice at best. Admittedly we appreciate the socks have some sparkle to them!
Maybe these shoes weren't comfy without socks, so the wearer said fiddlesticks to fashion and just went for it? One thing is for sure, with these boots, you'd never get away with wearing odd socks!
Boots X Flip Flops
Leather can get sweaty; we get it. So how can you don the material’s classic elegance on a warm summer’s day? Ideally, not by wearing this odd pair of shoes. This is what we would imagine the outcome would be if a pair of cowboy boots made love to a pair of sandals and had a baby! While this man’s feet are singing, “yay, we're free!” we're left wishing a little less liberty had been offered.
Perhaps these shoes will find acclaim in historical reenactments and high-school theatre plays. However, for now, despite how comfy they look, this is one rodeo that shouldn't be taken on the road.
Everyone Loves Ramen
Admittedly, everybody loves ramen…but maybe this guy loves it a little too much. Perhaps this fellow is employed to advertise for a local ramen store and decided to get himself a little treat on his break? However, it's much funnier to think that the gentleman is so enamored with the cheap, quick, delicious noodle dish that he bases his fashion choices solidly on that infatuation.
The matching low-hanging pants make the outfit even more hilarious, creating a truly oddly proportioned figure. That said, his hoodie is a helpful reminder of all the tasty toppings you can add to the dish - egg, spring onions, sesame seeds; the list continues!
Meat the Wurst Socks Ever
Unique novelty socks are becoming a major trend and make great Christmas gifts every year. However, after looking at this picture, we think maybe it’s time to find a new craze and move on. Of course, all unique looks have rare applications. These meaty socks are reminiscent of titan cosplays or might attract a hungry pet’s attention. However, we question if having animals drool over your feet is desirable in any circumstance.
These socks make this gent’s feet look like bacon strips, which would make any conscientious homeowner regret asking their guest to take their shoes off indoors. So please keep them on!
Deep Sea Horrors Brought to the Surface
Animal prints have been in fashion for literally centuries. Unfortunately, we are all familiar with the cruel history of shaping certain reptiles into handbags. However, fast forward to today, and most of the world has moved on to seek out cruelty-free synthetic materials. We can only hope this horrific amalgamation doesn't consist of actual amphibious bodies and isn't meant to be worn. Who, after all, would let themselves be seen in this?
Our confusion is only made greater by what looks to be a rather massive spider on the mannequin’s shoulder. Or is it a giant ant? Either way, this is one exhibition we could personally pass on.
A Bold Pair of Leggings
This image doesn’t need much explaining. The joke is self-evident and really rather funny. However, we question whether it’s not taking it a little bit too far to be wearing white leggings like this out on the town. On the other hand, it certainly draws attention to a particular body part - not everyone has that sort of confidence, and we can't help but admire those who do! Could you imagine being stuck in line at the supermarket behind this person? You would be sure to crack a smile, right?
Still, it is a good gag - we certainly had to stifle our giggles when we first saw it! But, we're left wondering which male individual is pictured as the Atlas upholding these 'globes' wearing nothing but blue swimming shorts.
Someone Actually Thought These Were a Good Idea
There is an endless choice of motives for earring pendants, some meaningful, some funny, and many beautiful. With so much to pick from, it’s simply baffling that toilet paper earrings should even be a thing. What makes this choice even more interesting is how fancifully these mini rolls are constructed using shiny beads. They're almost pearl-like in their appearance! Perhaps the wearer wanted to show their newfound appreciation for toilet paper following the shortage during the first lockdown?
The mind boggles. But, ultimately, there is only one thing to do with toilet paper, and we recommend the same course of action for these earrings. Flush them down the toilet!
Throwaway’s in the Name, So…
We’re admittedly undecided about this hugely enlarged silica packet as a handbag. After all, someone has undoubtedly gotten creative by taking an often overlooked item and using it as inspiration for this piece. Silica packets only serve to keep the contents of a parcel dry and are usually thrown away first thing. However, in this case, the designer decided to shine a light on these helpful but quickly disregarded little things.
The results are maybe not the best looking. That said, we're certainly willing to give them points for creativity. But, whether we would wear it ourselves is another question entirely.
Chicken Out Next Time
If you want to stand out from the crowd and make your mark on the world, sometimes it takes a truly unique fashion statement to do the job. We would agree this chicken-shaped handbag certainly draws attention, but we’re not sure it’s the good kind. On top of being a uniquely odd choice, there's something quite uncomfortable about the flat, dead look in that plastic chicken’s eyes. This is one of those things we wish we could un-see.
Perhaps we've misunderstood the purpose of this item? Maybe it is a unique egg holder? But then we're at a loss as to why bag-like handles are attached to it. We're confused.
A Coat Made Out of Bottle Packaging
It is always a good idea to recycle and repurpose, especially when you have a lot of one particular item. Here, this designer has collected the unique purple velvet bags that package specialty bottles and sewn them into this boldly patterned coat. From a distance, the logo almost looks like elegant embroidery, and there's something to be said for the evident thought put into how the individual pieces fit together.
We don’t hate the design, but there are certainly better ways to tell the world that you might have a bit of a drinking problem. Maybe next time, they’ll fashion their clothing out of vegetable wrappers and mineral water labels to keep things balanced?
Fashion or Just Plain Dirty?
Did you know distressing clothing doesn’t just entail purposely ripping the fabric to create a more grungy look? Designers also choose dyes and use techniques that make jeans look more worn down and lived-in. This can make it look more vintage or textured, so it's no wonder many denim choices feature a dirt-like wash. There are plenty of people who have tried to recreate the look at home, some successful, some not so successful.
For instance, this particular example just looks as though the wearer has been crawling through the garden for a few hours - especially on the right leg. We only hope those jeans were dirt-cheap.
A Panic Attack Waiting to Happen
Crafting your own jewelry is a great and unique hobby. It requires creativity and a good eye for materials and design to create something exquisite. Unfortunately, this designer had perhaps too much imagination and made something a little too convincing. While we can appreciate the craftsmanship, we think this somewhat realistic-looking spider earring will cause more than one person to suffer quite a shock.
Did you know that anywhere up to 15% of the population suffers from Arachnophobia? That is one in six people on the street whose day you might just ruin with these earrings!
Novelty Chicken Leg Socks
If anyone has ever insulted you by saying you have chicken legs, these novelty socks might be an excellent way to own it and get back at them. We admit, as a joke, these socks are rather funny, and you and your friends will likely get a good laugh out of them. But, when it comes to wearing them out for errands or even work, we are not so convinced they’re a good idea.
On a dark night out, these tights might achieve a unique effect that renders the wearer appear to be half-man, half-chicken. But why anyone would want to achieve such an impression is beyond us.
Knitted Shorts
Knitwear has earnt a few spots on our list of the boldest fashion choices to be found online. That’s because, over the years, knitwear has been tried and tested, so much so, that everyone knows that it only really works for certain types of clothing. Of course, shorts are not on that list, nor should they be, and this picture is proof. Everything from the textured gradient yellow to the belt woven into the knitted belt loops.
Not to mention, the soft wooly pockets - the whole ensemble makes us a little uncomfortable at best. So, if your grandma is knitting you shorts like these, it’s time to find her a different hobby.
Too Much of a Good Thing
This designer would be far from the first to mix several denim pieces together to create a 'unique' look. However, in this case, we fear the sum is less than its parts. Nothing about this outfit seems cohesive. Between the heavily ribboned shirt, the shredded jeans, and the strange crumpled hat. Or, perhaps that's the point? But, truthfully, we can’t imagine any of these pieces working on their own either.
Overall, the contrasting shades of denim, odd shapes, and overly distressed material create one heck of a combination! Just imagine donning this look to the supermarket. You would be sure to get a few funny looks from passersby!
Keeping It Casual
You might think this is a picture of someone putting on a bathing robe to keep warm at home. Who could blame them, with energy prices rising through the roof? Unfortunately, no. This is an actual jacket meant to be worn outside. If you mistook it for a dressing gown, you’re certainly not the only one. We all appreciate coziness in the home and embracing those big fluffy robes for warmth and comfort.
But when it comes to outdoor fashion, perhaps there's such a thing as too casual. Maybe something a little more elegant like a silk robe or kimono would have better suited the bill - we're still unsure though.
Not Just Distressed but Distressing to Look At
This stylist has clearly tried to achieve a distressed style by ripping into this ACDC shirt. But, unfortunately, nothing about the look is working for us. Rather than an intentional fashion statement, it just looks as if this gentleman has run away from angry fashion journalists and cut himself on branches in the woods. Pair this with a partner in a wolverine costume on Halloween, and you might just get away with it?
As a standalone piece? We don’t think so. Call us old-fashioned, but maybe we prefer our clothes whole and not shredded. To us, the cutouts just don't look very balanced - what do you think?
Some Things Should Stay Under the Sea
Those that aren’t into fanciful nail design sometimes accuse outlandish nails of being impractical and inconvenient. Unfortunately, in this case, they may have a point. It’s clear that this person adores mermaids and wants to do something extraordinary to demonstrate their passion. While they certainly succeeded in doing so, we question the sense of putting fins on the ends of your fingernails. The chances are this art project had to come off right after it was finished.
Or else we don’t know how they would have managed to get anything done! We don't even want to think about how you would go to the toilet with such nails - the mind boggles!
A Collar of Mice
When it comes to fashion design, we appreciate creators have to push boundaries occasionally. For instance, take this creative take on a necklace (if that is what it is). Or neckline? Admittedly, it's eye-catching and has found a truly unique application. Nonetheless, we know many people would sooner jump on a chair and scream than stop to admire the individual beads comprising this creation. And who could blame them? If we stare at this creation for too long, it makes our hairs stand on end!
Call the exterminator, the rat-catcher of Hamelin, or the fashion police - we don't care who. We just don't want this mouse-inspired neckline to appear at any of our gatherings and scare off our guests!
On the Fringe of Madness
Fringes have a time and a place. With this kind of embellishment, the 'less is more' approach usually works best, so you rarely see so much of it be used in one piece of clothing. Unfortunately, these jeans are distressed and ripped on top of the carpet-like frills, making them look almost furry. Finally, the bell at the bottom of the jeans creates a 70s vibe - which we're usually fans of. However, here it adds unnecessary flair to what's already a very noisy piece of fashion.
If ever there was a fashion item that embodied the age-old adage: 'sometimes you can have too much of a good thing' - we think this would probably be it!
For All That Is Holy…
If we came across this shirt when online shopping, we would close the site quicker than you could say “swiss cheese.” After all, that’s all this shirt reminds us of! What makes the already odd design even more offensive is the fact that a chest pocket is still outlined at the top which is rendered useless! Not only that, it interrupts this skinny polka-dot pattern that doesn't quite stretch to the bottom of the shirt.
We just can’t tell what the intention behind this design might have been. How about you? Perhaps it was designed to be worn with a thin top underneath it? Thoughts?
A Little Too Handsy
Artistically speaking, we're sure this jacket communicates a lot of meaning and certainly makes an impact. But, while it’s nice to feel hugged and held, something is frightening and claustrophobic about how these hands emerge from the green coat to enclose the wearer. It’s also curious to think about how this jacket opens and closes. The thought of prying open the intertwined fingers apart to free ourselves from this cushioned monstrosity makes us shudder.
Still, the photo is remarkably impactful and likely achieved exactly what this designer aimed for! At this point, we have to say the jacket reminds us a bit of the incredible hulk. Is anyone else getting a similar vibe?
Bringing Back the 16th Century
It is not uncommon for fashion designers to take inspiration from all walks of life, from glamorous celebrities to... 16th-century knights. This might have been the thought process when this gentleman dressed in a chainmail tank top. If you have not worn chainmail before (and let’s face it, it is not a trend for a good reason), we can only imagine that it is heavy, uncomfortable, and gets quite warm!
Either way, it is not the right outfit to go out and run errands in, so unless you expect to get stabbed anytime, we recommend leaving your armaments at home.
Transparent Pants
Some clothes leave nothing to the imagination, and that certainly goes for these entirely transparent pants. We are crossing our fingers that the wearer was simply looking to cover their clothes for an upcoming paint job. But the shoes make us question everything. After all, they don't look like they are suitable for DIY projects, nor would they protect the socks beneath from paint splatters. All in all, nothing about this outfit is cute.
Perhaps the wearer is extra vigilant about protecting themselves from the rain? But, in that case, why aren't they donning a coat? We just hope this ensemble didn’t make it past anyone’s front gates.
High Fashion Goes Right Over Our Heads
Occasionally when designers attempt to find quirky new takes on old trends, they simply take it too far. So much so that the design is no longer wearable. Of course, we know some people love creative variations on everyday shoes like sneakers and crocs, which is evidently what is pictured here. But, personally, we don’t see the appeal, no matter how much one might plead for artistic freedom of expression.
Remember that designer shoes like these sometimes come with price tags reaching into the thousands! With that in mind, you might just choose our side of the argument. No amount of crocs accessories could justify that kind of expense!
Zero Ap-Heel
There are plenty of good reasons to opt-out of wearing heels. Generally speaking, flats are simply more comfortable, better for your foot health, and much easier to walk in. But what, exactly, are these high-heels without heels? With an attractive blue color and slim shape, they look by no means uninteresting. However, we still feel like these heels look more like a piece of abstract art than a shoe to be worn.
Platform heels are difficult enough to walk in without such an odd innovation to a shoe shape that has worked for centuries. We're worried they might dangerously unbalance the wearer - so, wear at your own peril!
A Little Too Corny
There are lots of people who just love quirky nail designs. Unfortunately, while we appreciate the fun-loving attitude in spirit, some nail art just misses the mark. That said, we're not sure whether these nails fall into that category. Sure, they're odd. But we can't help but think that they're kinda cute too! This particular artist has embodied their love for corn by making their very own fingernails look like corn on the cobs.
With the bulky texture and grass-green accents, these nails are immaculately executed. Perhaps a design like this might be better for the kids? All in all, we're firmly on the fence about this one.
A Bizarrely Crocheted Purse
When we first got a glimpse of this image, we couldn't help but exclaim - 'what the heck?!', 'what even is this?!.' But, after we had composed ourselves, we realized this is a crocheted purse in the shape of a very gummy mouth, with a white zip posing as little teeth. There is something incredibly creepy about this accessory, so perhaps it would be best kept in the closet until Halloween?
When you consider there are so many beautiful items you could crochet- scarves, blankets, stuffed toys, to name a few! Why would anyone create this monstrosity? Each to their own!
Natural Nails
While having a green thumb is usually a good thing, we wouldn’t take it so far as to actually use herbs to decorate our nails. While this is a creative choice of material and does achieve a unique look, some of the nails look a little moldy. Maybe herbal medicine should remain just that...herbal medicine, rather than nail accessories. That said, we are huge fans of the glamorous nail shape!
We also love how shiny these nails look - so it's swings and roundabouts really, it's not all bad! Perhaps the design would look better with green paint and glitter rather than herbs? Who knows?
Some Trends Don’t Mix
Athletic casual wear, popularly coined athleisure, has been a significant buzzword in fashion for some time now. The trend takes casual clothing and infuses them with a sporty, comfortable, athletic look. It really took off during lockdown, when many of us opted for comfier options. However, by pairing these sporty pants with massive high heels, we're not sure whether the combination works. We love the pants. We adore the heels.
But, unfortunately, paired together, they just don't look right! The whole point of athleisure is that it sits on the more casual side of things, so these boots look a tad out of place.
An Interesting Pair of Sandals
To some designers, fashion is just an exercise in taking two different things, mashing them together, and cackling like a mad scientist about the abhorrent abomination they've created. We imagine this must have happened when Ugg and Teva teamed up to create these unique sandals. Not only are these chunky shoes hard to combine with any outfit, but they also look to us a lot like wrist braces for the foot.
As a result, they exude an oddly uncomfortable and medical feel that doesn’t vibe with us. Overall, we think we can safely write this collaboration off as a tragic fashion accident.
When Layering Doesn’t Work
Layering is a great fashion trick for adding more depth and interest to your outfits. It works wonders for combining styles and creating something unique for whatever occasion you're looking to dress for. The trick is to combine different textures and shapes in a way that works. However, when done seemingly at random, layering can look like someone just threw on the first thing that flew at them out of a wardrobe.
In this case, it looks like a Halloween costume, casual wear, and jeans have been thrown together to create one confused beast of an outfit. That said, we love her shoes. They're gorgeous!
Bringing Back School Shoes
Although probably not the most fashionable choice, these shoes are certainly the least offensive of all the fashion blunders published in this list. The vintage look cries from the rolled-up jeans hem, high waist, and faded band shirt. While some of these elements work, we’re just not a big fan of shiny school shoes combined with the high, white socks. This reminds us of dreaded school assemblies and growth spurts, leaving us with clothes that didn't 100% fit.
On a more positive side note, we love the Burberry coat and think this outfit could be salvaged with a little twist. Nostalgia has its place, and we are always grateful for a chance to chuckle about how far fashion has come since our childhood days.
Someone Needs a New Hobby
Knitting is a relaxing and popular hobby and a great way to kill some time. That said, this six-piece knit-wear bikini suggests that the artist in question had perhaps a little too much time on their hands. Of course, there's something dreadfully wrong about woolen swimwear. Still, the take on cat anatomy makes this unique piece utterly disturbing. At best, this picture would make a unique summer postcard that you could gift as a gag.
At worst, this creation is set to give us all nightmares. Unfortunately, there are some things you just can't unsee - and this is certainly one of them! By the looks of the cat, he doesn't look too happy about the creation either...