This year has been all about ‘ugly’ footwear. We've had mesh ballet flats, the Simone Rocha bedazzled Croc high heels and those split toe boots that, quite frankly, make us feel a little ill.

But it seems there’s a late contender gunning for the title of ‘ugliest It-shoe of 2024’. Enter the ballet trainer: a ballet flat-meets-sneaker hybrid that looks like sports gear gone wrong. There are ballet-inspired straps across the top, albeit chunkier than you’d find on a flat, and a thick sturdy sole like a hiking shoe.

These mutant clogs have actually been around for years. The first pair came courtesy of Simone Rocha, who released the ‘ballet tracker’ in 2020. Top-end fashion houses like Kiko Kostadinov and Marc Jacobs jumped on board, before the trend trickled down to the likes of Ganni, Nike and Salomon.

It’s of course not taken long for the usual suspects to trial the look. Emily Ratajkowski was snapped in a pair with Velcro fastenings during a New York City stroll. Meanwhile everyone's favourite cool girl, Iris Law, paired her clunky clogs with a sporty white co-ord and sunglasses during a trip to Cannes – and, we must admit,if anyone could persuade us on the look it's her.

Okay, we know they’re not for everyone. But for those who love ballet flats but worry about their toes getting squashed when commuting, it’s a great way to make a pretty look more practical. Here are the high street pairs the most daring among the YOU team are shopping – because if Iris Law says something is cool, who are we to argue? 

The best ballet trainers on the high street

£25.99, Zara

£39.99, Stradivarius

£105, Bimba Y Lola

£130, Salomon

£90, Vagabond

£39.99, Bershka

£79, JW Pei