As the 28th season finale of The Bachelor approaches, fans on social media are weighing in on the fashion choices.
While many of the women who have competed for Joey Graziadei’s love are praised for their style, like former contestant Maria Georgas, some of the competitors are getting absolutely roasted online.
The women’s choice of footwear in particular appears to have drawn the ire of many viewers, some of whom have taken to TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) to share their displeasure at the heels worn in the latest season of the show.
One TikTok creator even made a video about the lack of sexy, strappy choices – and commenters were quick to agree – as well as viewers calling the ‘geriatric’ footwear on X.
US-based content creator Olivia Layne shared a video about the shoes with her 284,000 TikTok followers, announcing, “This has been on my mind all season” in the caption
While previous Bachelor contestants have opted for sexy strappy heels with their dresses, this season many of the women are wearing chunky block heels
While previous Bachelor contestants have opted for sexy strappy heels with their gowns, this season many of the women are wearing chunky block heels — and even boots — for lengthy rose ceremonies.
American content creator Olivia Layne shared a video about the shoes with her 284,000 TikTok followers and announced, ‘This has been on my mind all season’ in the caption.
“Some of the shoe choices have been confusing to me. I’m not here to bash any of the women, it’s more just a fashion observation,” she said at the beginning of the now-viral video.
Olivia said that all season there have been impressive looks until the camera pans down to the shoes, which is when they lose her.
“There have been a lot of chunky block heels,” she explained, saying that while she understands the practicality, she feels they seem out of place with many of the outfits.
“Sometimes they just feel too heavy and clunky for the rest of the look,” Olivia continued.
Instead, she said she would prefer a kitten heel or ‘lower heel that was slinky and sexy.’
She suggested future Bachelorette contestants pack a “slimmer, slimmer heel that’s lower to the ground that you can walk in,” explaining, “a sexy strappy heel looks better with some outfits.”
“Kelsey A’s shoes on the first night made me not take her seriously as a contestant,” one viewer wrote of her chunky white slides
In the comments section, followers had plenty to say about the shocking shoe choices — including contestant Kelsey Anderson
In the comments section, followers had a lot to say about the shocking shoe choices – including contestant Kelsey Anderson.
“The boot with the petticoat in the first pic is CRIMINAL,” claimed one commenter.
Another TikTok user said the outfit was ‘cute on top’ with ‘random floppy Shein block heels underneath’.
Others explained that the lack of sky-high heels was because the women ‘have to stand so long at the rose ceremonies’, although they would still prefer to see kitten heels.
“Kelsey A’s shoes on the first night made me not take her seriously as a contestant,” one viewer wrote of her chunky white slides.
Luckily, Kelsey A. herself was ready to take a stand on her choice of heels like she is replied: ‘I promise my chunky heel is retired lmao I didn’t pack enough shoes.’
Olivia told FEMAIL she was not ‘aware of any discourse about shoes’ until after she shared the video.
“Platform heels and early 2000s fashion – which includes chunky platforms – have been popular for a while, so it makes sense that we see that shoe trend continue on the show,” Olivia told DailyMail.com.
She also thinks it’s because it’s more comfortable, because ‘these women are on their feet for hours,’ so it makes sense, ‘they would gravitate towards a shoe with more stability and comfort.’
And while Olivia thinks a shorter heel works,’sometimes the style of the shorter heel didn’t always go with certain outfits.’
‘Platforms and block heels are amazing! But sometimes they may not go well with a look.’
In previous seasons of The Bachelor, like Season 23 above, all of the women have worn different strappy sandals
In previous episodes of The Bachelor franchise (like Bachelor in Paradise above), women have opted for sexy strappy sandals
Many times contestants wear sandals with barely any strappy heels on the show, until this season when they opted for thicker heels
On X, viewers of the romantic franchise were equally confused by the footwear, with one user urging: ‘Take those shoes off!!’
On X, viewers of the romantic franchise were equally confused by the footwear, with one user urging: ‘Take those shoes off!!’
‘These clumsy shoes the women are wearing with these fancy dresses… just so comical!!!’ one viewer pointed out.
“Why are they all wearing those thick heeled shoes?” asked another member of Bachelor Nation.
‘The women looked absolutely stunning at the rose ceremony in the amazing dresses, hair, makeup EXCEPT for their shoes!
“Rachel’s heels were tolerable, but the other three had what looked like geriatric orthopedic thick clogs,” one person snarled.
“These ugly shoes… who styled them?” asked one viewer — even though the contestants don’t work with a stylist until the proposals during the season finale.
During the series, Maria was praised for her designer look and penchant for high heels
Maria wore vintage Alexander McQueen and Dolce & Gabbana, as well as pieces from designers Cynthia Rowley and Diane von Furstenberg
Many viewers wanted Maria to be the next Bachelorette and praised her designer clothes throughout the series
Many viewers tweeted about how they want Maria to be the next Bachelorette and approved when she was the only contestant to choose strappy shoes.
The reality TV fashionista has become famous for her designer outfits throughout the season.
Maria wore vintage Alexander McQueen and Dolce & Gabbana, as well as pieces from designers Cynthia Rowley and Diane von Furstenberg.
One follower tweeted, ‘Maria for the bachelorette!! Can we talk about shoes though?
‘Didn’t the other girls have a choice? Beautiful fine dresses paired with chunky awful shoes! Apart from Maria, of course, she was on point.’
‘One thing about Maria is that she comes to SLAY. I can’t with the other girls and they’re dead,’ another agreed.
“Thank you Maria for wearing the right shoes with your dress,” praised one fan.