From grandmother to python sneakers: 35 pairs of fashionable shoes for spring
Text: Varvara Zotova
This season, designers have given us complete freedom of expression. in all that relates to shoes, showing options for completely different styles and eras: there are also heels from the 70s, as in the Saint Laurent show, and feminine low-heeled pumps from the 50s, and massive platforms from disco-past to the performance of Marc Jacobs, as well as a whole squad of intricately decorated slates, like those of Miu Miu, Lanvin and Simone Rocha. Demna Gvasalia finally brought back the fashion for the boots, and Christopher Kane and Hood By Air replenished the list of what we call ugly shoes, giving us "marble" crocs and "bilateral" Cossacks. We tried to choose from all this variety the most up-to-date shoes for spring for any budget and, running not far ahead, put in some things for the hot summer weather.
Grannies
These shoes with soft, bent backs come from North Africa. Initially, they were made of stamped morocco and were worn exclusively at home as slippers. From about the middle of the 16th century, grannies appeared in Europe, but real popularity came to them in the 60s of the last century, when they, along with other ethnic items of clothing, formed the image of hippies.
The trend is by no means new: two years ago, grannies appeared on Balenciaga shows, in the Pre-fall-collections of Opening Ceremony and Narciso Rodriguez, as well as in the Céline cruise collection. Director of Vogue Runway Nicole Phelps predicted the creation of Phoebe Failo the glory of the acclaimed glove shoes - ballet shoes, set on a wide steady heel. The prophecy came true: this season, variations of Oriental slippers flashed again at Acne Studios, Marni and Haider Ackermann shows. There is nothing unexpected in the popularity of such shoes: it is really unprecedentedly comfortable, besides, it is easily combined with both casual outfits and outfits.
Kitten heels
About what are remarkable shoes on the "cat" heel, we have already told. This season, kitten heels are present in almost every second collection: from Prada and J.W.Anderson to Vetements. Against the background of increased interest in hypertrophied platforms, low-heeled shoes impresses with their convenience and minimal risk to tuck their feet.
Elegant retrodesign kitten heels at one time was appreciated by celebrities, whose image must meet the classical standards of beauty, where there is no place for kitsch and extravagance - like Grace Kelly and Princess Diana. Michelle Obama and Teresa May, the “Iron Lady” of Great Britain, were repeatedly noticed in them. Today, however, designers have convincingly demonstrated that kitten heels can be a completely boring decision. Many people adapt their appearance to modern trends, complementing with crystals, like Manolo Blahnik, with embroidery, like Mira, or metal spikes - in the spirit of Gucci.
Platform shoes
The abundance of shoes on the platform - another hi from the eclectic 70s. Then the platform was a kind of universal solution: it was worn with flared trousers, mini-skirts and A-silhouette dresses, and not only in a disco, but also in everyday life. In the 90s, the trend came back from the filing of Vivienne Westwood, it was she who in 1993 released her models on 9-inch Super Elevated Ghillie Shoes, and not all girls coped with this ordeal - the world will not forget the legendary fall of Naomi Campbell, which is Vogue.com website still uses for the screen saver "something went wrong." But the British group Spice Girls kept on the platform where more confidently and brought shoes real popularity.
The classic version of this shoe is still considered to be heeled shoes of about 10 centimeters and a slightly compacted sole, as in the Gucci collection. In addition to pairs with a massive heel, Alessandro Michele created a line of shoes on a “solid” platform, the so-called flatform (Dolce & Gabbana and Balmain have similar models). In the spring collection of Miu Miu can be found as sandals on hypertrophied platforms, and wedge shoes. Whatever model you choose, you should not forget that the shoes on the platform look quite pretentious and the safest to combine it with basic, calm clothing.
"Orthopedic shoes
Four years ago, Phoebe Failo created the very fur shales for the Céline Spring-2013 collection, which caused a stir in the media. A year later, Claire Waite Keller authoritatively stated that slippers are appropriate not only on the beach or by the pool, and put them on the 2014 Chloé cruise collection onbook. Around the same time, birkenshtoky turned from unsightly orthopedic to the most popular shoes of the season.
It is not surprising that last summer no one even raised an eyebrow when, as a result of the collaboration between the Puma and Rihanna brands, fluffy shales were born in three shades. According to Jennifer Cuvillier, director of fashion at Le Bon Marché in Paris, modern society is tired of sophisticated, fancy dresses and strives for maximum comfort, and the designers actively support it: at first they adapted sports sneakers, now it's time for their “summer” option - rubber slates.
This season, the choice of shoes on a flat sole is so great that you can easily find options not only for a walk by the sea, but also models with a minimalist design that will fit even in an office dress code, or more striking models with "rich" cocktail party decorations like Tory Burch or Dolce & Gabbana. Flip-flops can be combined with almost any clothing, depending on what effect you want to achieve. By the way, in cool weather, they can also be worn - adding socks.
Metallic shoes
Without a metallic this season, nowhere: along with clothing and accessories, the tendency to metallic shine captured shoes. And it touched both everyday models on a flat sole, and evening options on a hairpin. The catwalk collections showed an amusing paradox: this season “silver” turned out to be more expensive than “gold”.
Models with silver glitter appeared in the collections of Mulberry, Prabal Gurung and Isabel Marant. "Gold-plated" shoes flashed on the shows of Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton and Gucci, well, we looked at colored metallic on Trussardi loafers and Saint Larent shoes as decorative details. Metallic shoes are versatile enough and can be easily combined with different shades of clothing, and especially interestingly combined with pastel-colored socks.
Python print shoes
The popularity of the reptile skin print is fading away again (for how long?), But so far it has not touched the shoe. This summer, representatives of the "snake" shoes of completely different colors can be found, for example, in Erdem. In the Balmain and Rodarte collections not only shoes, but also wedges and heels have acquired snake color. Tod's, on the contrary, tried to keep the most realistic color palette: in the collection there are caramel loafers and sandals with straps of light-gray shade.
Finally, I would like to note that, although the “python” looks very friendly this season, such shoes are sensitive to the “bestial” neighborhood, so accessories for zebra and leopard can be left at home, preferring clothes of neutral tones to them.
Shoes with lush decor
The uncompromising minimalism of the 90s barely subsided, as the craving for excessive decor began to take hold of the hearts of the most reserved designers - to ours, however, the joy. Let's be honest: no matter how much we talk about the normal mode and meaningful consumption, but embroidery, crystals, buckles and metal fittings do not cease to please the eye, especially after a long autumn-winter period. We urge you not to be shy and pick up the right pair of shoes with interesting and eye-catching details.
So, for example, in the Isabel Marant collection, intricate ruffles appeared, larger varieties appeared in Mulberry and Mother of Pearl, large lacquer flowers bloomed on Dries Van Noten sandals, Miuccia Prada decorated her sandals with yellow and blue feathers, and Alessandro Michele felt a tender feeling to all kinds of bows - in the spring collection of Gucci, they are already presented in several versions. The mass market is not lagging behind and this summer offers a choice of the entire range of this shoe "gluttony."
Photo: H & M, Zara, Uterq, Need Supply Co., Net-A-Porter, Mango, Aizel, The Outnet, ASOS, Massimo Dutti, KM20, Topshop, & Other Stories, Nike