by Kimberley Heit

Created on: June 12, 2008   Last Updated: November 13, 2010

History has proclaimed some shoes "fashion disasters" and since we are supposed to learn from past mistakes, it is a good idea to be aware of the worst shoe trends in history. This way you can avoid wearing them and looking like a fashion victim in the future.

Eight shoes trends that really shouldn't set one foot on the sidewalk:

1. DR Martens worn with anything and everything

In the late eighties and early nineties women wore these heavy combat style shoes with everything, including feminine dresses. The two looks simply don't go together and thankfully have not made a come back.

2. Sneakers with stiletto heels

Sneakers are worn for comfort, whereas heels are usually worn for sex appeal. Combining the two by simply taking the bottom half from one and sticking it to the other resulted in a fashion experiment gone wrong. Sketchers are noted for bringing out a shoe which literally looked like a sneaker with a high heel glued to the bottom. Getting a bit of lift from a small wedge is one thing, but sneakers with stiletto style heels just look plain ridiculous.

3. Sandals worn with socks

Although not a shoe style on their own the sock and sandal look is definitely worth a mention. It inspires images of unfashionable elderly men with socks pulled up to their knees. Unless you work as a geisha then this is not a look you want to try.

4. Traditional crocs

These rubber shoes with large open holes almost look like they belong in an alien movie. What's worse is that they seem to be coming out with new even uglier styles. There's the Croc which is lined with sheepskin and more recently Croc high heels. Unless you are cleaning the pool, gardening or lounging around the house then these shoes should not make an appearance.

Yes they might be comfortable, yes they allow your feet to breathe, but they are also hideously ugly and they aren't as practical as you might imagine. In Japan they have issued a safety warning about this type of footwear. Many children have received injuries to their feet when their Crocs have gotten caught in the moving parts on escalators.

5. Jelly shoes

Unless you are less than nine years of age these shoes will make you look juvenile and unfashionable. This shoe trend was initially born out of necessity when leather was in short supply post World War II. Shoe manufacturers were forced to make shoes from plastic. In the 1980s transparent plastic shoes in bright colours and often a touch of glitter became popular. Besides appearance

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