There's been some interesting movement in footwear fashion over the past year. It's official – it's all about flats. Up until this point, sky-scraping, exaggerated heels have been the ultimate in fashion footwear – the bigger the better...
There's been some interesting movement in footwear fashion over the past year. It's official – it's all about flats. Up until this point, sky-scraping, exaggerated heels have been the ultimate in fashion footwear – the bigger the better. Think of the "fashionista" (a hideous word, but appropriate for now) and one immediately thinks of sky-scraping exaggerated heels. In this new time, the idea of big shoes suddenly seems a bit silly and unnecessary.
The bi-annual fashion weeks are where most trends are crystallised. Obviously, the designers are debuting their new season proposals but it is often off the catwalk that provides the really interesting propositions. And I'm not talking about the characters that burden themselves with cartoon-like attire in the hope they will be photographed. No, what is really exciting is the subtle style choices at work. Just like the two-coat and clutch bag trends we spotted last year.
"And the thing is, once one slips on a pair of trainers one realises that life becomes so much easier."
The flat shoe moment has been brewing for a while. Let us think back to this time last year, when the collections were heavy with sports-influenced pieces, in anticipation of the upcoming Olympics. We were all encouraged and inspired to think about sport. As a result, editors started to turn up to meetings in trainers, pledging allegiance to their brand of choice. New Balance, Nike Air Max, Converse... And the thing is, once one slips on a pair of trainers one realises that life becomes so much easier.
But it's not all about sportswear. Fast forward to now and not only are there flat shoes a plenty – from heavy boots to chic sandals – the new collections are full of exciting options. Miuccia Prada and Marc Jacobs are normally the two designers to check for upcoming shoe trends. Their latest collections for S/S13 feature elegant kitten heels by Jacobs and Prada's genius toe-sock shoes came in a variety of flat options.
Text by Laura Bradley
