‘Hello lover’ gasped Carrie Bradshaw when she saw a pair of Christian Louboutin off the street in New York…Have you had those moments too? We say, one doesn’t really have to be a fashionista to be a shoe fanatic, Cinderella to be fascinated by the famed glass slippers or a devil to wear Prada. For most women, shopping for shoes or we rather say, collecting coveted footwear like souvenirs comes as natural as breathing.
From the 13th century clogs and the 90’s platforms to Androgynous styles and the oxfords from 1800s, the Spring/ Summer 2021 seamlessly blends the lines between the past, present and future. Take notes as we reveal our favourite 7 spring/summer shoe trends for 2021!
- Elegant Fishnet Heels
These fish nets are not the literal fish nets! We heard that sigh of relief! Last summer, the street fashion was swooning with fishnet jackets, shrugs, coverall, bags and even crop tops. After the ‘Jacquemus’ netted grocery bag gained popularity, designers found use for the style in other places besides bags. The Italian house Fendi introduced an ultra-chic and feminine footwear made from perforated material in numerous pastel colours, while Dior models walked off the runway in netted flats.
- Extravagant Flip-flops
The comfy flip flops that you are obsessed with just got an upgrade! If you thought flip-flops were passé, prepare yourself for the new wave of flip-flops this year. In a time where comfort is key, it’s no surprise to see a beach favorite on the catwalks. However, brands like Acne Studios and Jacquemus experimented by giving the classic shape a chic upgrade with leather and thick rubber soles.
- Bold Shoe Chains
Ever tried accessorizing your accessory with more accessories? Crazy as it sounds, this trend is worth a shot. Chain necklaces have made a resurgence in recent years, and not just for jewellery but for masks and sunglasses too. Metal detailing on footwear was all over on the Spring/Summer 2021 runway. This season, try your hands on attaching this shiny accessory to your favorite pair of heels. Runway renditions of this style are seen in the collections of Victoria Beckham and Versace.
- Laid-Back Clogs
Invented in the Netherlands in the 13th century, clogs were originally not the fashionable item that Cher Horowitz happily bragged about in the cult classic “Clueless,”. Possibly mushrooming in reaction to the popularity of the relaxing cottagecore aesthetics, the shoe is appearing more and more frequently on the runways. The catwalks of high-end brands such as Hermès and Louis Vuitton were swamped with versions of the chunky agricultural shoe in various shapes and shades.
- Towered Platforms
Whether you are amidst a height crisis or simply wish to tower above all, the platforms will keep up the style game. As the pandemic gives way to the online streaming services to take us on a nostalgia ride, fashion designers have found no shortage in finding ways to revive the 90’s trends. At Versace, we saw the lifted sandal in bright colours, while Erdem opted for styles more neutral in form.
- Androgynous Shoe
The boundaries between dress codes for men and women seem to be increasingly blurred as everyone, right from celebrities to models to designers, are opting for fashion choices that are gender fluid in nature. This spring, choose a traditional man’s shoe like slip-on loafers to try something gender neutral or simply pull off your most comfortable business look by styling it with the androgynous suit. Chanel channeled a simple design with a small block heel and a subtle addition of its logo.
- Vintage Oxfords
Oxfords were derived from the Oxonian, a half-boot with side slits that gained popularity at Oxford University in 1800. As Joseph Sparkes Hall, the inventor of the famed Chelsea boot once quoted, “The Oxford shoe is the best shoe for walking”, we trust he made his point as the trend finds a spot on the spring/summer runway. Spotted on the catwalk at Louis Vuitton, among others, these two-toned leather shoes are the casual flats you will love to wear when you need a break from your pumps. Expect to spot them on the runway again next year, with or without a heel.
Give a rest to the aimless site-to-site hopping with our curated spring/ summer 2021 runway footwear favourites!
