Fashionable Foot Forward

In my last post, I mentioned how I had just moved into a new place. Unpacking has stirred up a lot of nostalgia – and in many ways has once again set fire to the passion I had for many things prior to boxing up and storing a large part of my life.

One of these is my fascination with footwear.
As I unpacked the fifth book on shoes, dusted off my dissertation, based on footwear, and gazed upon the umpteenth pair of shoes in my collection, I wondered when my penchant for what I once believed was the ultimate accessory had waned.

I looked at my patent brogues and wondered whether I could wear them for another winter. Was the stiletto heel on my multi-coloured strappy sandals still on trend? Could I pull off my peep-toe platforms and what about my cork wedges?

Stella McCartney

A sudden urge to learn all I could about the latest trends in footwear washed over me.

I paged through the latest fashion magazines, browsed various online fashion resources, and style blogs and paid particular attention to the fabrication, heels and colour of the shoes that walked down the runway at the latest fashion shows…I realised that all of the shoes were so varied that it was really difficult to pinpoint a particular trend, but rather a whole host of different trends.

I noticed that the combat boots that I was sceptical to buy because they were just a fad were featured in shows such as Belstaff and Max Mara. I adore the more feminine version of this style seen at Alexandre Birman. Another trend I was sure would fade fast were the glitter shoes that stir up memories of The Wizard of Oz, which were seen at Saint Laurent.

Alexandre Birman

The classic stiletto looked as sexy as always at Versace and Roland Mouret. Lanvin and Christopher Kane kept the chunky heel alive at their shows. And Prada made the more sensible wedge heel a staple once again.

Admittedly the trend I am most excited about is one of my all-time favourites, patent leather. This glossy fabrication was used by the likes of Balenciaga, Roger Vivier, Brain Atwood and Sergio Rossi.

Balenciaga

Brain Atwood

Apparently it is okay to get back onto your high horse, wearing cowboy boots with gorgeous cut-out details by Sergio Rossi, and when you are not on the horse, slip into stilettos by the other Rossi, Gianvito. Perhaps tassels, seen at Aquazzura, are more your western (ahem) foot-print. A less Wild West looking option was a silver booty with a pin-up cow girl print on the elasticated inset by Rupert Sanderson. Freda Salvador makes take the proverbial bull by the horns, if I may.
And I am done with cheesy puns, I promise.

Freda Salvador

I am going to go right out and say it; I am not a fan of brown. It is the colour of…well, you know. Regardless of my personal affliction towards this colour, style.com sites brown as the new black. I could probably force myself to wear the brown wedge boot by Jimmy Choo – This boot makes brown look good. Another reason to give in to the brown could be Pierre Hardy’s two-tone lace up booty with a charming little ankle strap.

Pierre Hardy

Another trend I am not quite sure I will embrace (It is possible I will eat these words, I know I have had to do so before) is the fleece/Sherpa/faux fur details seen on the Sherpa lined heels at Chloe, the fleece lined wedge boot at Jerome Dreyfuss…and the full fleece mule by Tibi.

Chloe

I am pleased to say, after exploring the latest footwear styles that I will not be letting go of any of my shoes. I am not doubting my patent brogues, I still believe my strappy stilettoes are sexy, I will stand tall in my platforms, and perhaps try pairing my peep toes with a pair of socks to bring them up to speed with this seasons trend.  

xxx

All images style.com