Fashion month has come and gone, and we’re happy to hang our hats till February. And while, season after season, we make it a point to round up the more covetable fashion trends, this time around we thought, why not give some of the — errr — less-than-aesthetically-pleasing, not-so-commercially-viable Spring 2018 looks their due?
And there were quite a few. In some cases, poor decision-making led to designs that had us thinking “how?” and “why?” and “wtf?” as we gazed on in disbelief. Other times, the tacky, ill-proportioned clothing was clearly meant to provoke. (We’re living in the heyday of ugly-cool, do-it-yourself fashion and Alessandro Michele, Demna Gvasalia and Christopher Kane are beyond willing to champion the cause.)
So, with a little help from a biting (but eloquent) thread in our forums in which members reflect on the worst ensembles they’ve seen on the catwalk, we compiled 20 of the ugliest** looks from the Spring 2018 collections. Enjoy them all in the gallery above. Warning: high-fashion garbage bags, lime green acid wash and some confusing tweed-patent pants lie ahead.
**For the record, we don’t use the word “ugly” to disparage any of the designers. Many of these pieces exhibit incredible craftsmanship and shared the runway with truly impressive collections. It’s just that…well, you’ll see.
[ Next: 30 Beautiful Ugly Shoes Every Street Style Star Will Undoubtedly Be Wearing This Fall ]
Ugliest Dresses/Looks Spring 2018
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Gucci Spring 2018
Alessandro Michele likes to toe the line between outré and plain old ugly. This hooded, pussy-bowed, purple sequined gown falls in the latter category.
Image: Imaxtree
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Saint Laurent Spring 2018
Vaccarello showed a string of unflattering reverse-scalloped hem micro-minis that even the notoriously skinny models couldn't pull off.
Image: Imaxtree
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Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2018 Secret Show
Ahead of their regularly scheduled ready-to-wear show, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana staged a special presentation of their latest haute eveningwear, modeled by the sons, daughters and grandchildren of the one percent. One of those otherwise #blessed millennials had the misfortune of wearing this shapeless flamenco gown, fashioned from — by the looks of it — a fuchsia parachute.
Image: Imaxtree
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Carolina Herrera Spring 2018
Grace Elizabeth's milkmaid-reminiscent "Puff Sleeve Shirt Gown" was a low point of Carolina Herrera's upbeat, 80s-inspired Spring 2018 collection. FYI, those are tiny hanging vines, not tassels — not that that helps much.
Image: Imaxtree
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Christian Dior Spring 2018
Stunning needlework aside, Beetlejuice briefs, lime-green tulle and pastel paisley ought never be worn together.
Image: Imaxtree
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Balenciaga Spring 2018
We get it, Gvasalia is trolling his nouveau-riche crowd. Still, given that he's at the helm of a luxury brand and the dress itself is totally figure-swallowing, the joke falls flat. (While we only chose one look per designer, we'd also like to shout out those embellished platform Crocs.)
Image: Imaxtree
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Thom Browne Spring 2018
Thom Browne lives in a magical, alternative universe where the traditional rules of fashion don't apply, and we very much enjoy visiting him there. Still, we hope this saggy-breasted creation was just for show.
Image: Imaxtree
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Chanel Spring 2018
While the technical skill required to make this set is astounding (to say the least), Lagerfeld should've stuck with mini skirt, bermuda- and short-short tweed mash-ups. Those few inches of leg were crucial in balancing out the boxy, texture-heavy bottoms.
Image: Imaxtree
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Alexander Wang Spring 2018
While we're not huge fans of the mixed-media skinnies, we can imagine the street style set adopting Wang's idea and layering cutoffs over leather leggings. That deconstructed shoulder-cutout bomber, on the other hand, needs to go.
Image: Imaxtree
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Stella McCartney Spring 2018
This is by far the most offensive Canadian tux we've ever seen. (Neon green acid wash? Bulging cargo pockets? Ick.) Give us more vegan leather and less of this, please.
Image: Imaxtree
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Moschino Spring 2018
Breaking news: Pop culture enthusiast Jeremy Scott has a My Little Pony capsule collection on the way. It may or may not combine baby blue sweatsuits and an unfortunate amount of pink tulle.
Image: Imaxtree
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Christopher Kane Spring 2018
The mood board for Kane's housewife-inspired collection showed photos of duster cloths, mop heads and trash bags. We can see the latter in those black rubbery frills. Think outside the box, yes, but while you're at it, think outside the cleaning supplies closet.
Image: Imaxtree
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Balmain Spring 2018
Balmain's close-fitting, fishnet-paneled, ruffle-hemmed maxi dresses were as unflattering as they were movement-constricting — Ming Xi, Luna Bijl and more struggled to make it down the runway.
Image: Imaxtree
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Giorgio Armani Spring 2018
Apparently, the collar of red, black, printed and sheer fabric on this tent dress drew from the work of Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt. We appreciate the effort, but we're reminded of the circus, not The Kiss.
Image: Imaxtree
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Marni Spring 2018
Large proportions and artsy sexy awkwardness are part of Marni's DNA, but there's nothing to "get" about this ungainly, egg-shaped number.
Image: Imaxtree
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Tom Ford Spring 2018
Binx Walton could be the wife of a Triplets of Belleville mafioso.
Image: Imaxtree
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Alexander McQueen Spring 2018
Khaki leather? No. Just no.
Image: Imaxtree
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Rick Owens Spring 2018
Rick Owens is known to romanticize the uncomfortable. This year, his models bore the burden of bulky, clothing-swathed fanny packs that reminded us of insect abdomens, or when you used to mimic pregnancy with your pillow.
Image: Imaxtree
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Gareth Pugh Spring 2018
Beautiful from a craft perspective, too sumo-esque to feasibly wear in public.
Image: Courtesy of Gareth Pugh
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Proenza Schouler Spring 2018
Someone please explain that gratuitous marabou feather protrusion.
Image: Imaxtree
