The fifth Taobao Ugly Stuff Contest showcases a collection of the oddest, most hilarious “treasures” known as top 40 least aesthetically pleasing items.
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For the younger generation, the unconventional items challenge traditional aesthetics, spark curiosity and serve as accessories to express their unique personalities.
Taobao is an online shopping platform owned by Alibaba, which also owns the South China Morning Post.
The items also offer a form of relief from appearance anxiety, as one netizen said: “In the face of these ugly items, our own flaws seem trivial!”
The Post takes a closer look at some of the most bizarre entries from this year’s contest.
Sea urchin hat
This headgear has horns resembling a sea urchin. Despite its prickly look, the material is surprisingly soft.