8 of Gen Z’s worst shoe trends, according to millennial stylists

Some designer shoes can lack the quality of older models and are too trend-specific.

Accessories have long been promoted as a more accessible entry point to luxury goods. Unfortunately, according to the stylists, luxury prices and names don’t always equal luxury quality.

Dale told BI she purchased a pair of Gucci platform loafers in 2023 that scuffed on her first night wearing them. Meanwhile, her vintage Gucci loafers from the ’80s “look brand new.” Gucci did not respond to Business Insider’s request for comment.

To Dale, purchasing from luxury brands in 2024 indicates “you’re paying for Instagram likes, you’re paying for TikTok likes. You’re paying to show off at this point.”

She said fashion cycles also move significantly faster than they used to, which has led to momentary trends and corresponding designer pieces. She pointed to the hot-pink Valentino Garavani Tan-Go Platform Pump, which originally retailed for $1,400, and was ubiquitous during the “Barbie” craze of 2022-2023.

“They really pimped out that Valentino shoe. They were like, ‘We’re going to give this to every single person on Earth,'” Dale said. “But because we have access to every photo all over the world, at every time, people were burned out in a month.”

“The way that fashion is set up now, it’s not sustainable in any way, shape, or form,” she added.

Valentino did not respond to Business Insider’s request for comment.