The transition season of spring is almost upon us, which brings about the opportunity to shed heavier clothing layers and shoes in favour of a lighter wardrobe and footwear that shows off our ankles. The trending types of footwear for the new season are ballet flats and slingbacks, as these two designs have taken over catwalks and high street fashion. Some fashion designers have even shifted their focus towards Mary Janes, metallic accents, embellishments, and bright, attention-grabbing trainers.
Ballet flats, which have been a quintessential style component for several seasons, are undergoing a fresh transformation. Features such as a variety of bold hues, studs, and stylish straps are currently giving this traditionally youthful and cute shoe style a much-needed contemporary twist. Designers including Loewe have showcased how to incorporate embellished ballet flats into outfits, by pairing them with wide-legged jeans. In contrast, Simone Rocha, Tove and Molly Goddard have taken a more traditional approach, paring the charming ballet flats with airy and fluffy creations.
Fashion brands such as Alaia and The Row previously set the trend with ballet flats detailed with mesh fabric and embellishments. The mainstream market has since adopted this trend, with mesh, netting, cut-outs, and crystal-studded ballet flats becoming prevalent for the season.
The slingback design is another in-demand style, offering a blend of elegance and comfort. Available in flat or kitten-heel versions, slingbacks can be paired with a host of clothing options, from smart trousers and jeans to midi skirts and boilersuits. This versatile design was also embraced by revered designers on the Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Prada catwalks.
Regardless of the shoe design or style, the colour red is the dominating palette for this season’s footwear. The bold shade can be found in any style from Mary Janes and loafers to ballet flats and strappy sandals. The trend doesn’t seem to be short-lived, as the autumn fashion shows also featured various shades of red including dark cherry and scarlet. The denim trend, previously seen across a range of clothing and handbags, has also expanded to the footwear realm.
Embrace the arrival of Spring with whimsical and feminine fashion choices, ideal for weddings or special events. Metallic embellishments are the saving grace for shoe dilemmas, offering versatility and a fresh look. These shining additions blend effortlessly with any dress and colour palette, making them a popular choice amongst designers like Simone Rocha, Alexander McQueen, and Gucci.
Bring a touch of luxury to your footwear selection with lavish satin materials. Satin shoes offer a classy appeal, yet they can be perfectly contrasted with simple denim for a less formal feel. However, satin, being more fragile than suede or leather, needs a measure of care, including the use of protection sprays. This season, shoes come alive with the decorative details of oversized bows, buckles, and 3D floral flourishes, as demonstrated by the creations of Erdem, Valentino and Irish fashion talent, Nicki Hoyne. 3D floral-bedazzled strappy sandals from Balmain additionally provide the element of drama.
For the practical fashion lover who highly values comfort, chunky sandals, flip-flops, loafers, and controversially stylish clogs will keep you firmly grounded and fashionable. Chanel introduces flip-flops as a high-fashion item, pairing them with tweed outfits. Irish designers Simone Rocha and JW Anderson vouch for the house-shoe-come-clog trend, demonstrating its versatility with a myriad of outfits from chic trench dresses to casual cargo trousers. Rocha has also unveiled a collaboration with well-known shoe brand, Crocs, featuring utilitarian designs decked out with tulle to suit voluminous dresses and oversized tailoring. Also worthy of note, high-street favourite Zara has partnered with Clarks to reinvent the footwear brand’s enduring styles, including desert boots, and robust crepe sole mules and loafers.