Why Gen Z fashion fans swear by the ‘bad shoe theory’: How not matching your shoes to an outfit can help elevate your look
- Latest trending TikTok fashion sees women pairing the ‘wrong shoe’ with their outfits
- The term was originally coined by stylist Allison Bornstein and she shared examples
- He sees people pairing sneakers or combat boots with dresses and still look chic
TikTok’s latest fashion that sees women pairing the “wrong shoe” with their outfits is helping every fashionista create her most stylish looks yet.
The “bad shoe theory” is sweeping the web and persuading people to slip into their favorite pair of chunky sneakers when wearing a chic dress to elevate their outfit, with the hashtag garnering over 27.3 million views on TikTok.
A number of fashion influencers have broken down the trend that is guaranteed to make you look and feel like a style icon.
The dress trick allows you to pair a contrasting shoe with your outfit. For example, if you put on a fancy dress, wear sneakers; if you wear a sporty outfit, pair it with strappy sandals.
TikTok’s latest hot fashion that sees women pairing the ‘wrong shoe’ with their outfits is helping every fashionista create the most stylish looks


The ‘bad shoe theory’ is sweeping the web and is persuading people to slip into their favorite pair of chunky sneakers when wearing a chic dress to elevate their outfit

A number of fashion influencers have broken down the trend that’s guaranteed to make you look and feel like a style icon.
Originally invented by a wardrobe consultant Allison Bornsteinthe idea is that by mismatching your shoes and clothes, you can take your look to the next level.
“Let me remind you of the easiest way to give your look personality…pick the wrong shoe,” she captioned a video of herself showing off the wrong shoe theory.
‘A shoe can really go from obvious and simple to more interesting and unique.
‘Here’s a challenge…next time you’re creating a look, try on a few shoes and be sure to try on a joker.’
In the clip, she is seen donning pants with flip flops, an all-white look with black shoes, and a casual pair of jeans with heels.
In another video, she wore a mini skirt with loafers and flats with a satin midi skirt.
“That’s why I think bad shoe theory is so important. It kind of signals that there’s an intention and a choice, and so it gives your look personality,” he said. she said in a TikTok video.
Meanwhile fashion influencer toiby Hayes took to TikTok to detail her take on the bad shoe theory to her 60,000 followers.

Originally coined by wardrobe consultant Allison Bornstein, the idea is that by not matching your shoes and outfits, you can elevate your style.

Fashion influencer Toiby Hayes took to TikTok to detail her take on bad shoe theory to her 60,000 followers by pairing a floral dress with combat boots


Allison said the wrong shoe theory will give your look personality and make it look effortlessly chic

The hashtag ‘bad shoe theory’ garnered over 27.3 million views on TikTok
While wearing a gingham dress with sneakers, she says she “gravits” towards the wrong shoe theory in “almost all of her outfits.”
“The idea is that when styling an outfit, there is always a shoe that seems like the right choice. Like for example with a summer dress, you might expect it to go with a sandal tricky, but flipping that expectation and going with a different kind of shoe adds so much to an outfit and makes it so much more dynamic,” she explained.
Toiby also wore a floral dress with combat boots as an example.
Another content creator known as FranklyCharlie also shared his take on the trend taking over the internet.
She said bad shoe theory was the “secret to looking effortlessly cool.”
The TikTok designer paired her green floral dress with sneakers.