Trend report: Shoe candy

Over the past few months this column has covered some of the hottest looks around for Autumn/Winter 2010, from lace to elongated hemlines. A trend that is as key this winter is footwear. There is no excuse to compromise on shoe style in the name of practicality.

When putting together an outfit, we tend to rely on our clothes to make us stand out. It is easy to forget footwear can be just as effective in adding extra oomph.

As the temperature drops we tend to gravitate towards black, beige and grey. Such a neutral palette puts our wardrobes at risk of becoming boring, so investing in striking footwear is the perfect way to add some much-needed edge to your look.

Designers and high street stores have a great variety of colours, textures, prints and embellishments to offer. Before you resign yourself to wearing the season-before-last’s tatty old boots for the next six months, give this season’s shoe styles a chance to strut their way into your heart and your closet.

Here’s a guide to this season’s hot footwear trends.

Leopard print

Many shy away from a leopard print dress or kameez but that doesn’t mean you can’t tap into the trend. From ballerina flats to stilettos,
leopard prints are all the rage. Jimmy Choo has applied it to every conceivable style of shoe from stiletto heels, platforms and boots to ballet flats, loafers and even trainers.

Rainbow hues

Brighten up monotone outfits by adding a bold injection of colour to your feet. Look to Charlotte Olympia for your colour-pop goodies. Ranging from ruby red to bright gold, a pair of Charlotte Olympia shoes can turn the simplest of outfits into a show-stopping look. Wear with a simple silk cocktail dress or elegant pair of evening trousers for a chic look.

Extravagance

This wedding season I recommend you opt for a velvet outfit with minimal embellishment and let your shoes do the talking. The most extravagant shoes can be found at Christian Louboutin. As the ultimate go-to brand for fabulous footwear, Louboutin’s distinctive red soles add an instant hit of glamour and immediately identify the wearer as someone with serious fashion nous. Louboutin has embraced this season’s love of excess and its collection features every imaginable form of embellishment including crystal studded heels, gold buckles and chains, stud detailing, sequins, lace, fur and feather trims.

Kitten heels

Not brave enough to tackle a pair of six-inch heels? Don’t fear - kitten heels have made a comeback. Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin and other brands took a cue from the kitten heel pioneer Miuccia Prada and applied this season’s trends to less vertiginous styles.

Texture

From rich velvets to sumptuous silk, there is no limit to the luxurious fabrics being used. Choose from Charlotte Olympia’s satin court heels, Jimmy Choo’s calfskin boots or Christian Louboutin’s exotic animal skins.

Budget

For high-fashion footwear on a budget, check out Kurt Geiger. It has one the most lust-worthy collections around and also produced its own version of the sheepskin-lined Burberry booties tops every fashion editor’s wish list.

Iman’s Dos

Wear a minimalist outfit with brightly-hued shoes

Invest in leopard print ballerina pumps

Give your little black dress a new lease of life with a bright red pair of heels

Opt for different textures such as suede and patent leather

Iman’s Don’ts

Over-accessorise

Wear embellished shoes with a fussy outfit

Wear prints on both your shoes and outfit

Buy shoes that don’t fit you. There is nothing chic about being uncomfortable

Iman Pasha is a London-based fashion consultant and fashion journalist. Her website is www.imanpasha.com

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2010.