Like most of us, my style has evolved as I’ve gotten older, but one thing has remained constant: my love of freaky shoes. Few things bring me more joy than pairing a boring mom outfit with an unexpectedly weird pair of shoes, and I’m not alone in this sentiment, especially when it comes to sneakers.People really seem open to letting their freak flag fly and express themselves via a fabulous pair of “ugly” sneakers. So much so that they’re practically mainstream. From silly sneakerinas to funky gorpcore sneakers and retro-styles with fantastical platforms, anything goes. It’s a fun way to add a bit of unexpected pizzazz to an overall look while still feeling comfy and keeping your feet supported. Below, we’ve rounded up a selection of “ugly sneakers” that real people swear by — they just might convince you to pick up a pair for yourself and jazz up an ensemble. FootlockerA pair of split-toe Nike sneakersTabi-style shoes have been controversial since Margiela added the design to its footwear lineup in 1988. Now, tons of brands have a variation on the split-toe theme, and Nike's Air Rift sneakers are a very accessible way to enjoy the trend. I urgently need a pair of these for the upcoming summer. HuffPost senior reporter Jessica Schulberg loves them so much that she recently purchased a pair of leather ones after running her old mesh ones into the ground.One of my coolest and most stylish friends, writer Jinnie Lee, said, "In terms of design and comfort, they’re in the Top 3 of all time greatest shoes. They’re super lightweight, have enough traction to make it feel like you’re wearing a sneaker (I’ve done many Zumba classes in them), and the classic black and white ones that I own go with pretty much every outfit. I can wear them as a maryjane with athletic shorts, or throw them with a fancier brand like a Pleats Please dress to make the whole outfit feel more casual. It’s also the kind of shoe that I can just stick my bare feet into, which I love, and the way the upper just hugs around the whole foot is really comfy. I also admit I was drawn to them initially when Margiela tabis were getting popular, and I wanted to experience a tabi-style shoe without spending Margiela dollars. These Nikes were exactly the right price point and have all this lore and history behind it, which also obviously compelled me (as in, these have endured “trend” cycles and are now simply a heritage shoe for the brand, which rules). I got a pair for my mom a few years ago and she loves them too, and says it’s the comfiest shoe for her aging. These shoes are really great to bring on a trip too!!"VivaiaA pair of sneakerinas beloved by HuffPost shopping editorsAs comfy as they are cute, these Vivaia sneakerinas are a great gateway into the world of quirky shoes. Multiple people on the HuffPost shopping team own them, including analytics editor Lily Alig, who said, "Admittedly, the double laces threw me at first, but I grew to love unusual style. One of the best things is the elastic ankle prevented any blisters or uncomfortable rubbing — even when I wore them for the first time!"MelissaA pair of ultra-chunky sneakers from beloved jelly shoe brand MelissaFashion and style expert Shea Daspin is a funky shoe aficionado. She said, "I’m obsessed with these chunky 'ugly' sneakers by Melissa. They’re a little futuristic, a little gorpcore, and a whole lot of maximalism. The colors are playful but not something you normally see on a sneaker." You can get them in a multicolored option or in plain black, if you want a more understated look.AnthropologieA pair of highly coveted ballet sneakersThese Puma Speedcat OG ballet sneakers have been on my list since their debut. I just know they'd look fabulous on me. They are feminine, have a fairly low profile silhouette and cute tie closures with all the comfort of Puma Speedcat sneakers. I love all the colors, but am most drawn to the pink or red hues.KeenA pair of performance sneakers that work just as well on the hiking trail as they do on the city streetsEditor Jillian Capewell said, "I am not typically adventurous in my footwear; I re-buy Converse and Vans sneakers the same way some people refresh their sock drawer. But I started to get intrigued by so-called 'ugly sneakers' after seeing stylish people share them on social media. Keen Jaspers seemed like an ideal entry into the sphere: They’re a little technical-looking, a little crunchy, but they’re not so out there that I’d feel out of my comfort zone wearing them. It helps that these are so comfy too — it’s easy to walk all over in them, and I feel like they give a casual outfit the right amount of interest. Plus, they come in so many colors, you can choose how out-of-the-box you want your pair to be (I went with the fairly subdued 'silver mink' color with red laces)."NikeA pair of alien-like Nike sneakersIt doesn't get much cooler than these chunky Nike sneakers, and they come with Daspin's seal of approval. "I personally own these and bought them specifically because they look like something an alien would wear. And that’s a win in my book," she said. They come in a surprisingly large range of different colors, so you can find the one that works best with your color palette.BrooksA pair of sneakers that can help with foot painSurprisingly, I don't think these are all that ugly, but my sister, Mariana, has submitted these as her ugly sneaker of choice. Like me, she also loves a freaky pair of shoes. She has been wearing these Brooks GTS sneakers for years and said, "I’ve had my Adrenaline GTS sneakers for years after plantar fasciitis made even simple walks to the corner painful. Recommended by the pros at a run shop for supported walking and exercising, I’ve hung on to these for probably way too long.”ZapposA pair of slip-on sneakers with a kooky platform silhouetteMy sister also has her eyes on these Sorel shoes. “I covet these laceless Sorel sneakers for slipping on on the go, but haven’t committed yet because they might just be too ugly (complimentary).” These might be the perfect everyday sneaker to add a pop of personality to otherwise simple outfits.GuA pair of sneakerinas under $40Lee also owns these super chic sneakerinas, and I am loving this price tag. She said, "I also have a silver pair of these, from GU, which is a store I never would really shop at, but I got them in a panic in Tokyo when I was there last winter! Japan is a country where it’s crucial to have a pair of walkable shoes that are also easy to slip on and off, since so much of its culture and lifestyle is shoes-off, not only in homes but at many museums and restaurants too. These aren’t AS supportive and comfy as the Nikes, but they really did the trick in a pinch. I actually walked 10,000 steps in these yesterday! I wore them to a Broadway play with a lace skirt." SalomonA pair of ultra-comfy Salomon sneakers that have secretly been making the rounds among the fashion sestFashion girls have secretly been wearing and recommending Salomon sneakers for the last couple years, they're just weird-looking enough to feel stylish while still having all the functionality of a sturdy sneaker. The XT-6 shoes also have fans among my colleagues.BuzzFeed VP of Commerce Becca Maier made a good point, saying, "I feel like Salomon's XT-6 are ugly but also fashionable because they are ugly." They've been on my personal wishlist for a long time, and it's just about time to splurge. They're just on the border of wacky and normal, making them a great gateway freaky shoe. MelissaA pair of futuristic slip on sneakers"These Melissa x Diesel collab Quantum sneakers look like something out of a 3D printer and incorporate aspects of optical art. Very unusual to look at, they remind me of something an elf might wear. A cool elf. A fashion elf." — DaspinDouble StandardA pair of chunky sneakers turned ballet flatsThe juxtaposition of the chunky sole with the delicate strappy construction of these shoes makes them a sartorial force with tons of whimsy. "Sneakers and ballet flats have no business combining forces, yet here we are. I love the mixing of sporty and girly – which is exactly what might turn some people off, but that’s the beauty of these!" — Daspin