Hello Kitty: the new footwear trends for the season

Here it is, that time of the season, when boots are all on sale and we are looking forward with fingers crossed, hoping and praying for an actual spring and summer so we can start wearing shoes again. Your footwear has the power to date or modernise your look, so investing in something new to put on the end of your pins, could just be the update you need for your skinny jeans or office attire.

What are the top trends in footwear this season? Undeniably there is a lot going on down there from bad kitties to mules and much more. Here is my edit of the ‘must-have’ styles for this spring.

Miaow

Yep, thanks to Dior or maybe even Theresa May, the good old Kitten Heel is back but forget 50s housewife and pair with some cropped kick flares for a modern look. This is not about prim, hence the moniker ‘bad kitty’. Zara has these Kitten Heel Shoes £19.50 which you could wear with denim or with tailoring alike. A much more practical option than a skyscraper stiletto that’s for sure.

While at Kurt Geiger their Talli £120 is in a lovely khaki colour – perfectly sophisticated for work.

Or head to the home of the Kitten at LK Bennett for their Florissa Trench Leather Court Shoe £175 which is a gorgeous neutral colour for summer. Perfect for the office, whether you are more traditionally suited and booted, or with tailored trousers and a jacket.

They also have the Minu Patent Kitten Heel £165 in black, grey and nude.

New Kid on the Block

At the other end of the retro spectrum, is the block heel which is on courts, sandals and mules alike. M&S has once more come up trumps with a footwear collection that outshines its clothing for being on trend and way less needle in a haystack-like. They have this Low Block Heel Court Shoe £19.50 in silver, black patent and nude patent. Not so keen on the patent which most definitely is returning to the fashion scene (although the black does have a rather nice tortoise shell heel) but could easily do a spot of silver as metallics are going nowhere fast.

If you need a wider fit then M&S also has the Wide Fit Suede Block Heel Courts £45 in black and pink.

Dune has these Abelle Block Heel Court Shoes now at £40 in black as well as this taupe colour.

And the Alohaa £37 in leopard and black.

On the sandal front, I have these Gold Ankle Strap Heeled Sandals £25.99 from New Look which will be coming to a dancefloor near you so watch out! Many moons ago I went to a New Look press event courtesy of a my lovely friend who was working for Marie Claire at the time. We both bought a pair of sparkly, gold, high-heeled sandals which I wore and wore over the next decade or so to various weddings, hen dos (my own included) and nights out. They were cheap as chips and these are the new generation replacing my tattered and rather less sparkly pair. They also come in rose gold. And let’s not forget, no more teetering and tottering on sky high stilettos with this more sturdy heel.

And if you want a lower heel then Office has these Finley Block Heel Sandals £59 in silver. Perfect for summer holidays to dress up jeans or a dress.

Backless

Now initially I was sceptical of this trend because it doesn’t seem hugely practical. However, thinking about it, backless styles are pretty good for the summer for those of us that struggle to find a slip on shoe that actually fits. I never thought I would find a backless silver loafer to be something that my heart desired but I do find myself drawn to these M&S Block Heel Trimmed Mules £29.50. Gucci on a budget. They also come in black if you find the silver a bit much.

Boden also has a whole range of the backless loafers which vary from £48 to £68.50 as they are currently reduced.

They also have these in black and red £53.70. Whilst red on my body is not something I would go for, I could certainly do a red shoe or bag for that matter.

Or if you want something a bit less plain then go for these Floral Embroidered Pointed Mules £48 from Office which are in black and grey .

 

Give it the V

When I first started seeing these higher cut, v-shaped court shoes in stores last season, I wasn’t keen. But somewhat fashion fickle I may be coming round to them. Office has this pair of Madam High Cut Court £65 which would update your basic court shoe for the season and do the job with a tailored trouser. There we go again with that kitten heel.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, the 80s is back and that means white leather is back too. This is definitely an occasion where buying the £375 Balenciaga version makes no sense, and where you want to splash not much in the way of your cash so head to M&S for their Leather Sling Back Flat £49.50 (it also comes in black). Good news for the shorter of leg, as a pointed toe will elongate.

Kin at John Lewis has these Clara Slingback Courts £75 which also come in a more sophisticated light grey suede and would look amazing with a pair or wide legged cropped trousers, skirts or just as a nice update to a more classic workwear dress.

And Topshop has these Jemma Point Mid Heel Court Shoes £59. These are more about a night out than cutting it in the boardroom.

Moving away from white to Next’s Pointed Slingbacks £38 which also come in black, cream and orange as well as the red. These would be great with skinnies or with a more formal workwear look.

Slight digression here because sling-backs are definitely in but if you want something a bit more classic then go for these Boden Cecelia Slingback Flats £70 to £80 depending on the colour (yellow, blue, red, black, silver and ponyskin).

And now going bright with Topshop’s Jessie V Cut Mid Heel Shoes £59. Bold they most certainly are but much fun to be had in these shoes.

Or animal with these Zebra Autobann Mid Heel Court Shoes £120 from Kurt Geiger. All I can say is they are pretty fierce. And they come in fuchsia – eek! As well as black.

 

Stubborn as a Mule

Boden has all the brights covered in the Pamela Suede Mule £98 which comes in green, pink and blue as well as this yellow.

M&S has these Block Heel Mule Shoes with Insolia for a mere £19.50 and would look lovely with summer dresses as well as with your girlfriend jeans for a more relaxed look. They also come in black and blush pink.

And they have the same style in gold. My magpie is on high alert here.

Or for a lower heel Dorothy Perkins has these Blue ‘Foster’ Heeled Mules £15. They also come in an array of pale pinks and blues.

 

 

 

One thing’s for sure, there’s nothing pedestrian about shoes for SS17, be they bright, white, metallic or the new silhouettes designed to tempt us to part with our cash. So make a statement and put your best foot forward.