The internet is divided over a pair of unique shoes that have gone viral recently – with many claiming they should be banned, while others gush over the comfiness
Why wear heels when you can get a little weird with these funky shoes? Fashion trends come and go, but there is one certain item people are hoping dies off instantly. The divisive FiveFinger shoes by Vibram have become the ‘hot girl shoe of the summer’ – amid calls for them to be “banned”.
The classic ballet slipper has had a spin on it, and ultimately looking like gloves for your feet, there’s a space for every toe and are designed for those who live a barefoot lifestyle. However, they have made their way into the mainstream shoe space, with many people spotted wearing them day-to-day on the tube, out shopping, running errands or even in the office.
While fashion is subjective, it seems the majority of people can’t get onboard with the shoes despite fashion girlies assuring they’re the shoe of the summer.
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Proud wearers claim they’re the “comfiest shoes” and due to a surge in popularity, some people report they are struggling to get their hands on a pair due to being sold out. They aren’t new though, and this isn’t the first time they have gone viral. The brand started in 2006, and has had a cult celebrity following for nearly two decades with Scarlett Johansson and David Beckham being papped wearing them.
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In 2012, Shailene Woodley wore a pair to the Golden Globes after-party. The actress wore the shoes under her floor-length black velvet dress, which led many people to question the shoe choice.
The design of the shoes is to mimic being barefoot, while still providing protection for the feet and are made with a thin flexible sole and a wide toe box to allow your toes to naturally spread – which is what happens if you live a barefoot lifestyle.
There’s a growing cohort of FiveFingers Fashion Girls including model Paloma Elsesser, rapper Doechii and The Attico co-founder, Gilda Ambrosio all embracing the fitness world’s most divisive shoe
One proud Vibram wearer took to TikTok to share a clip of her shoes and said: “POV people are laughing at your freaky toe shoes,” and captioned the post: “You wouldn’t understand!!”
But the post has caused a mixed opinion with one user commenting: “They’ll be jealous when in 30 or so years they’ll be stuck with permanent blisters and your feet will still be healthy. Another chimed: “My family laughs at me over my Vibrams but I love them.”
However others simply couldn’t understand and one questioned the practicality and said: “Sooo what happens when you miss a step slightly and stub your toe?”
A second penned: “I will judge you in my head for wearing these but I also admit its probably super comfortable and more ergonomic than the old sneakers I’m wearing.”
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