Broadly speaking, we feel like there are three types of people when it comes to shoes. The first enjoy functionality and comfort. If their shoes do what they’re supposed to do (i.e. keep their feet warm, cool, dry, and don’t slip on the ice, depending on where they’re going), they’re perfectly happy!

Meanwhile, others want a good mix of function and form. Not only do the shoes have to do what they’re designed for, they also have to look good. Aesthetics are important, after all. And whether we want to admit it or not, we want to leave a positive impression on our friends, coworkers, family members, and even complete strangers. It’s great to be thought of as stylish.

Finally, we have true fashion lovers who embrace the form of the item of clothing at the expense of its functionality. What this means, in short, is that they enjoy how their shoes look and what impact they have on everyone else to the extent that they’re willing to sacrifice comfort. Think—high heels.

However, for some stylish Pandas, a trendy pair of heels or a bespoke pair of formal dress shoes aren’t enough. So they push the limits of taste and play around with interesting and unique shoe designs. Some of them work perfectly. Others end up being featured on the ‘Awful Taste But Great Execution’ subreddit.

Just because something is expensive and expertly crafted doesn’t automatically mean that it’s objectively tasteful. It can, however, be a way to have fun, relax, and start a discussion. If you want to stand out, you have to be willing to take fashion risks. Of course, not all of them will pay off, but you’re likely to cause a buzz either way.

Similarly, clothing designers also want to push the limits of what’s acceptable and stylish. Pretty much everyone wants to be known for quality work and for starting global trends. So it’s not surprising that some creators experiment with the line between good and bad taste.

Naturally, some designs fall short of the public’s expectations. However, others can be surprise hits. And it’s not always apparent what will work and what will fail until your clothes are out there, in the wide world, being worn and criticized and analyzed by other designers.

Good design will, inevitably, be about finding a balance between the creator’s vision for the product, as well as what the consumer values. Quality design is all about empathizing with the buyer.

That means that it’s best to make the product functional, user-friendly, and visually pleasing. Overly-complex, over-designed pieces might look great in a gallery or on the runway but might not appeal to the average person.

If an expert is left to create whatever they want, with no interaction with the outside world, their designs might be more akin to art than actual functional products.

Meanwhile, if the creator listens solely to what the market wants, they might be left creating generic, boring, and ‘safe’ designs that likely won’t stand out from the crowd. Balance is imperative!

A while ago, fashion designer Oyinda Akinfenwa explained to Bored Panda that shoes are a very important part of any outfit. It’s essential that you get them right!

“People tend to wear the wrong shoes for certain outfits which really brings down the whole look, by the time you start admiring them and get to their feet and you’re disappointed by their shoes,” she shared, adding that you can also elevate your look by getting your nails done or wearing knuckle rings.

She also pointed out that people tend to “add too much on when the outfit they’re wearing already has a lot going on which makes it seem tacky.” Less is more, in some cases.

The designer shared that “it’s hard to notice your own mistakes on your outfits until someone points them out because, to you, it seems amazing because it is your work and you want to be proud of it, without realizing it may not be exactly as good as you think.” In other words, an outsider’s opinion on your ideas can be invaluable!

Which of these shoe designs made you do a double take, dear Pandas? Which pairs did you loathe? Were there any that you’d actually love to wear in public? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Meanwhile, for some more delightful posts about the ‘Awful Taste But Great Execution’ subreddit, check out Bored Panda’s recent features right here, here, and here.