The Shoe Edit: 10 Trends We Dare You to Step into

This week, we’ve rounded up the coolest to the craziest shoe trends we could find to get you through winter weddings, brunches, parties, dinners, work, shopping and just teetering about. The question is how many of them are you woman enough to try out.

There is an insane amount of creativity being channeled through footwear, but at the same time, classics are as relevant today as they were yesterday. In fact, now would be a great time to dig through mom’s old shoe boxes of hippie platforms and pointed toes heels.

Curves

Nicholas Kirkwood, Walter Steiger & Givenchy

The curved heel is an odd trend to say the least and it would make anyone wonder about the comfort level on a scale of one to 10. However, popular opinion suggests that they are actually as comfortable as any straight heel and the curve, be it convex or concave, does little to disturb the architectural physics at play. On the other hand, it is very modern, makes a ringing statement, and if you enjoy futuristic fashion, you ought to try it.

Cut-out Heels

Sanam Chaudhri’s DVF wedges, Sergio Rossi & Alexander McQueen

We’re all familiar with laser cut-out shoes and boots and symmetric or asymmetric missing fabric or leather parts. However, the popularity of the wedge platform made it possible to create the effect of geometrically hammering away parts of the heel itself. This is actually a very cool style that re-defines making an edgy fashion statement.

Holographic

Tabitha Simmons, Lanvin

Holographic textured pumps and sandals are the next step over the metallic glaze trend. They are dripping with futuristic glamour and even though they can be a bit of a hit or miss, worn right they are quite desirable. For instance, choose a darker or duller coloured holographic and then let it shine by keeping the rest of your look toned down. Additionally, this style is ultra modern so make sure the shoe shape is up to the task. Choose cut-out booties or chunky heels rather than pretty pumps.

Decorated Heels

Gabbana, Nicholas Kirkwood, Dolce & Brian Atwood

Speaking of wedges, another spin on the style is to focus the drama on the heel rather than the shoe. Again, this works well on platform wedges due to the ample surface area to play with. Print, colours, textures, or all out embellishment are all fair play. The trend has also caught on to stilettos heels being bedazzled, spiked or given a metallic finish.

Boyfriend drama

We all know and love the boyfriend sweater, trouser, blazer so why not the shoe. This is a rather masculine version of the loafer often with lace ups or sporting a tongue out style. The gender bending frame has the characteristic low men’s shoe heel and is rather suitable for fall/winter. There is a lot of room for texture play with the elongated front and fun variations include calf hair, print, suede, and studs..

Calf skin

Charlotte Olympia, Valentino

Exotic textures are always attractive and while classes of reptile skin were the ruling party not so long ago, furry faux calf skin in different colours and patterns are quickly replacing them for winter. It is equally appealing for shoes and bags and many of the top designers and high street brands are now including faux calf in their sought after collections.

I love Lucite

Charlotte Olympia, Gianvito Rossi & Fendi

Transparent shoes were a trend no one thought would last long when the style gathered some traction with Charlotte Olympia’s signature designs. However, those people would be wrong as it is still going strong and has in fact picked up more with colour tinted versions being introduced for Spring 2014. If you have pretty feet, flaunt them with this style that proves to be an acquired taste.

Put a sock in it

New York Fall’13 runway

We mean this quite literally. Wearing open toe and ankle strap sandals, pumps, or boots with mid-length socks is young and very back-to-school chic. Print covered peeping toes and especially thin straps over warm woolies are adorable, fashionable and perfect for winter. This isn’t so much a new trend, but it has made a great comeback on the Fall runways.

Flats

Tory Burch, Jimmy Choo

If you thought you needed heels to look dressy or powerful, think again. Women and fashion are no longer reliant on mountainous heels to instill confidence. You can be just as effective in flats and that was the clear message on the New York Fall 2013 runways and even more so for Spring 2014. If they’re good enough for the runway, they’re good enough for the red carpet and anywhere else. You can thank the loafer for the onset of this ultimate in comfort trend and enjoy it while it lasts.

All tied-up

Gucci, Nicholas Kirkwood & Christian Dior

Lace-ups look best on booties but are also catching on to formal sandals for some added play. Placed on the front or back ankle, this is a relatively easy-to-wear style that looks great and is especially suited for winter.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2013.

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