Window Shopping In Milan & Paris, Part IV
/Part 4: Shoes to Get Now That Will Be on Trend Next Year
Italy’s reputation for making the finest, most fashionable, trend-setting shoes in the world is more than justified, and Paris as an epicenter of fashion is on the same page. On a recent shopping trip to both places we found some exciting styles that would make a great addition to anyone’s shoe wardrobe for a forward, very special footnote this season. And the bonus would be that these shoes will be right on trend next year and possibly the year after as well. We always think in terms of three-year fashion cycles. Why not start year one and maximize the trend?
1. Sergio Rossi 2. Sergio Rossi 3. Baldinini
Really tall, chunky platform sandals are back as the perfect accessory for wide-legged trousers. The new designs allude to fashion in general with stripes, new punch-out eyelet patterns, lots of woven uppers, and gold and summer dark colorations.
4. Valentino 5. Baldinini 6. Tory Burch
Native inspirations are a natural for summer fashions, but this season the drums can be heard loud and clear with an African beat…the newest direction for tribal fashions are mask motifs, shell beading and West African textile patterns.
7. Sonia by Sonia Rykiel 8. Baldinini 9. Prada
Simple raw-edged flat sandals or heeled t-straps get a modern decorative treatment with big, round, raised, smooth buttons and orbs in black or silver. Note the base colour is camel, a go-with-everything neutral. A Velcro tab closure and extended button heel lift are more contemporary add-ons.
10. La Bottega Dilsa 11. Orcel 12. WhatFor
Man-tailored oxfords have been making a long overdue comeback because of the popularity of new soft pantsuit dressing. These updated lace-ups are worth the investment. Most of them feature new lightweight comfort bottoms (often white). But it’s the upper designs and materials that make the difference: contrast colour kilties, sparkly stone mosaic inserts or elegant small grain lizard prints in black and silver provide newness.
The trend towards low block heels gets stronger with feminine two-tone sling backs featuring contrast coloured cap toes and oversized graphic ornaments. Note the squaring off at the toes!
17. Casadei 18. Jeffrey Campbell 19. Jimmy Choo
Not ready to give up sexy high heels? No need to do so. There were still plenty of suede fringe high heel booties, gutsy high retro platform sandals in acid shades, and for the traditionalist the ubiquitous high heel, pointy toe pump, updated in denim blue shades with a subtle snake printed heel.