This spring/summer, there are footwear trends aplenty, and enough delectable styles to cause a serious dent in your bank account. Shoe fans will be overjoyed with the variety of styles out there, with the high street responsible for some of the best styles on offer. While inspiration has no doubt come from brands like Dior, Chanel, Chloe and Saint Laurent, one of the biggest inspirations this season has been borrowed from The Row and their barely there ''floss'' sandals.
The high street is making some expensive looking shoes at the moment, with some pretty reasonable price tags attached. They've gone the distance with their colour choices (neutrals like beige), their details in heels, fabrics and embellishments. The shoes aren't sticking to one brief though. Some pairs have mixed and matched the trends, and loads have the sculptural heel, mule, and barely there trend all wrapped up in one, not to mention featuring a trend colour. I've done the research for you guys and gone to a few of the usual shops as well as some lesser known brands and have shared some of my favourite pairs of shoes that are sure to be some of this seasons best sellers.
All shoes below are linked - just click on the picture and you'll be able to shop! Ps. NO affiliate links.
Mules
Mules have been making an appearance year after year on the fashion hot list, most likely due to the nineties resurgence designers have been so inspired by. The mule has an air of minimalism, but yet strikes a sophisticated silhouette. Brands like Chloe, Rejina Pyo and Dries Van Noten championed this style on their SS19 Catwalks and now stores like Zara and Topshop are selling their very own, very irresistible versions. There is no right way to style mules. There is such a wide range of mules styles from kitten heels, block heels, architectural heels, and flats, to open toe, pointed, or strappy versions - there is mule to suit every look.
Toe Detail
Emerging as one of the front runners in this seasons shoe trends is the unavoidable toe wrap. Their are many reiterations of this trend in the shops, with one of the most popular styles being the toe wrap with a strappy heeled sandal. Whether the style involves an actual strap that wraps around the big toe, a delicate thong detail, or straps zig zagging across your feet, your toes will most definitely be included in the action this season. Creative straps are giving our summer sandals an injection of freshness and have taken inspo from the spring runways of Prabal Gurung and Sonia Rykiel.
Interest Architectural Heel
Heels have never been more interesting, with block heels being a thing of the past. Heels are in all shapes and sizes, from cylindrical, flared, flat and set back, to kitten. The architectural heel takes on a whole new look with different materials being used like resin, wood, plastic and metal. Leading the designer front is the French brand Jacquemus with his trademark mismatched sculptural heels debuting in the Autumn/Winter 2017 collection. Rejina Pyo has also featured the trend in her Spring /Summer 2019 collection which takes on a more ladylike aesthetic. Of course this has all filtered down to the high street with Spanish retailers Zara jumping on the trend, and a new favourite Uterque with some gorgeous designs.
Barely There
These sandals are everywhere from high street to high end and we owe that all to The Row and their ''Bare'' sandal. This trend is all about delicate straps that wrap around the foot, leaving nothing to the imagination. Some styles have thin leather straps, while others utilise vinyl to showcase that pedicure. While vinyl has been around since last season, made popular by the naked shoe trend, the barely there sandal has more wide appeal, reaching a whole spectrum of ages meaning that this trend is definitely here to stay. SS19 saw Jacquemus, Rejina Pyo, Tibi showcase their version on the catwalks, but Celine could arguably be the first to have shown these delicate minimal strappy sandals in 2017. If you have your eye on the Row's version, it will set you back about €700, but if your're looking for a more budget friendly option there are loads to choose from. While Zara, Mango and Other Stories have done the most lookalike pair, there are plenty of other styles out there that have the bare aesthetic.
White Everything
White is definitely a front runner this season for being the chicest colour, and the use of it is one of the easiest ways to update a 2018 outfit into 2019 one. While neutral colours and tonal matching has taken off in a big way this year, it is white that has become the fashion set's accessory colour of choice. With Jacquemus, Sonia Rykiel, Marni, Zimmerman and even Gucci featuring this hue, it's no surprise the colour has been widely featured in so many high street collections. The best thing about this shoe trend? It's the easiest one to incorporate in your wardrobe. There is no discrimination between what style the shoe has to be, so you could rock the trend with white boots, loafers, mules, or my favourite, the strappy sandal. Bonus, you can match white with everything. If you're looking to buy just one new pair of shoes this year, maybe give white a go.
Ladylike Shoes
The ugly shoes that were huge last year are a fading memory; this year elegant ladylike shoes are making a comeback with kitten heels, slingbacks, rich fabrics, feminine designs, and a hint of sparkle leading the way. Don't be put off by the thought that they are too prim and proper, when you pair these shoes with a pair of jeans, or even this seasons prairie dress, it can give you an edge, and any look that features a contrast is a win. While the classic designer holy grail of sling backs is created by Chanel, other high end inspiration comes from Manolo Blahnik's Satin Lurum crystal embellished mules that have become top of many women's wishlist's. This year the slingback takes on a more square toe, borrowing from the 1940's and imparting the same elegance. Crystal embellishment on straps have also been seen on the high street with strappy sandals, mules and pumps.
Animal Print
We're all no strangers to animal print by now, with the trend taking over our skirts, dresses, tops, outerwear and even our accessories. Shoes are not exempt from this trend, with snake print, tortoiseshell and mock croc becoming the new fashion favourites. While leopard print is still very much relevant, most of us already own an item of leopard print, so now it's time to try something different. Zebra and tiger print are gaining traction, but snakeskin is spring/summer's new neutral. If printed footwear is not your thing, a more subtle way of wearing animal is via a textured leather mock croc route or the toned down tortoiseshell which is having a real moment. The best way to pair animal print shoes? With a simple outfit so your shoes do the talking. It's great for those of you that may be print shy in your clothes but want to incorporate the trend in your look.
Cowboy Boots
Boot's are not just for winter, and ankle boot lovers will know that these are some the best shoes to pair with a skirt or dress in warmer weather. Since Autumn/Winter 2017, when Calvin Klein sent their models down the runway in cowboy boots, they have cemented their status as a wardrobe staple. Cowboy boots have since made recurring appearances at Isabel Marant, Chloe and Fendi with fast fashion retailers like Mango, Zara and Topshop also including the boots in their collections. This season, high street stores have stayed true to the western style and stuck with square toes, leather panelling, contrast stitching and metal toe features. Wear them with straight leg jeans, flowy midi's and dresses, or contrast with a more tailored look and pair them with trousers and a blazer.
Natural Trend
Going hand and hand with the sunshine is the natural look. You'll be seeing and abundance of raffia and woven leather, not just in your handbags but in your shoes. While this isn't a new trend, it is one that is strong every year and one to invest in as it's likely to be around for some time. Woven materials like leather, rope or raffia add texture to your look, and instantly give you a chic boho vibe. This year the trend isn't just about sandals, but woven leather mules, slingbacks and courts are also extremely popular. Shells are also being featured on shoes, as well as combining the structural heel trend with the natural trend for a fresh take this season. While the obvious pairing for these shoes is a holiday look, you can most definitely wear these with any outfit for any occasion.
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