At the moment it may look like the winter of 2013 is here to stay for good – and that it won’t be gone too soon. However, we all rationally know that the warmer season is right around the corner, and a bit of slush, sludge, and snow is no reason to ignore its rapid approach.
What’s more, the world’s top designers have been getting ready for it ever since last fall, with the latest trends in sandals. Read all about what to expect in matters of shoe styles the coming spring, then go out and buy your next favorite pair of sandals.
1. Fabrics Galore
Purity of style, when it comes to combining various types of fabrics, no longer seems to be a concern for the world’s top shoe designers. One of the biggest upcoming trends for sandals features juxtapositions of three or more fabrics and textures, with anything from velvet, patent leather, suede, and regular fabric being thrown together in one colorful combo. Some of the biggest names in footwear that have signed on to this trend include Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Sergio Rossi, and Givenchy.
2. Lacey Goodness
Jimmy Choo and Jerome C. Rousseau chose to have fun with lace and updated to current fashion trends. The delicately vintage texture is being used in bold new ways in their collections, which mix retro flair with contemporary neon colors.
3. Embroidery
Embroidery in sandals has been used extensively in the ’13 spring/summer collections of Balmain and Barbara Bui, whose sandals are completely embroidered. Less complex, yet similar looks, were spotted in the Ralph Lauren and Isa Tapia shows. Embroidered detailing might make the color coordination of the shoe per se somewhat more complicated, but it is also definitely a marker of true sartorial personality.
4. Iridescent Colors
Iridescence is perhaps the biggest trend of the following season, one that will bring out the best in any and all colors imaginable. It has graced the ’13 spring/summer runways of the biggest brands, from Dior and Stella McCartney to Pierre Hardy. The cool thing about this colorization technique is that it can be applied to any type of texture, from natural leather, to patent, and snake-skin. Highlights include the strappy, woven sandals from Aperlai, in all-metallic colors, as well as a lovely peep-toe mule from Rebecca Minkoff.
5. Beautiful Nudes
Nude beiges, pinks, and oranges have been around the block, in style reports and specialized magazines, for several seasons now. According to the Pantone Fashion Color Report for spring 2013, they’re definitely taking over footwear as well, with upcoming highlights including a pair of sparsely strappy stilettos from Roberto Cavalli, and a stiletto-cum-platform sole sandal from Charlotte Olympia.