Gone are the days of precious pumps.
For New York Fashion Week 2026, designers collaborated on intentionally awkward shoes. And that’s the charm. The on-trend “ugly” pump features a rounded, almost stiff upper and a sturdy heel that favors stability over drama. It’s practical. It’s polarizing. It’s quiet and powerful.
This repetition across the runway was impossible to ignore. Calvin Klein based the look on a sensible skirt with a silk shirt and rugged black heels, reflecting archival minimalism. According to British Vogue, Proenza Schouler leans toward corporate eccentricity, pairing stompy pumps with sharp tailoring, suggesting “a woman who is punctual…but a little unpredictable.” There was a similarly practical vibe at Michael Kors, reinforcing a broader return to clothes that can be worn rather than whimsically.
After a season dominated by fantasy and spectacle, the atmosphere in New York is refreshingly down to earth. These pumps aren’t trying to seduce you in the traditional sense. They’re interesting because they don’t.
Add contrast by pairing it with relaxed suits and knee-length hems, or even with sheer tights and slip skirts. Please believe me. These “ugly” pumps will soon be everywhere. Keep scrolling for a few hand-picked options to get you started with on-trend styling.
