Wondering what spring 2021 will bring? Well, this season in the shoe world, it’s all about comfort and practicality. After a year spent indoors, we’re all in need of shoes for exploring and stomping around in, but spare a thought for our poor feet; they’ve got a little tender over lockdown, and getting used to stepping out with swagger is going to take some time.
But what about fashion, we hear you cry? Well, luckily this coming season is all about functionality. As Marie Claire point out, “For spring 2021, it was clear that practicality was top of mind for designers and in the demand from consumers…Even if we can’t predict what our next six months will look like, we can find relief in the fact that most designers are leaning into familiar styles that should hold up for a couple of seasons still”.
Actually, we might just be able to predict the items likely to put a spring in our step this season. In fact, we’re going to do it below; here are 4 stylish shoe trends for Spring 2021.
OVERSIZED ‘FASHION’ SNEAKERS
Well, we did say that this season, we needed some shoes to stomp around in, whether that’s on the beach or to wear in the office, and the ideal iteration of a stomping-around-shoe is surely the Vans old skool sneaker.
Sneakers for spring have always been an obvious choice, embracing that lightness of touch and spirit of optimism that the changing of the season brings, and chunky, oversized trainers have been in trend for a while thanks to Alexander McQueen. Indeed, they were touted as one of the “hottest women’s products” for 2019, and that’s pretty much remained the case ever since.
The fashion designer’s oversized signature sneakers, in particular, have gained well-deserved cult status and other brands have followed, loosening and widening the silhouettes of their sneakers to replicate the design. They do say imitation is the finest form of flattery, after all.
This oversized shoe trend is set to continue as sneakers get more experimental in shape and colour this season. Chunky-soled platform styles are also set to be a huge trend, which brings us to our next point….
CHUNKY TREAD SOLES
This spring, the bovver boot has been reimagined. In their article titled ‘Treading Tightly is now this year’s sole desire’ (geddit?), the fashion folk at The Times say that “Clumpy, track sole ankle boots have been must-haves for the style set on their daily walks during the pandemic, but news of the vaccine roll-out hasn’t stopped their spread — in fact, they have mutated”.
Indeed, it seems like “heavy track” sole rubber ankle and knee high boots are growing in popularity, emblematic (and encouraging) of outward bound hikes in the wilderness whenever the government granted us the chance.
The guys at the Times highlight that “The pertinence of the trend is more good news for the original punk boot brand Dr Martens”. This famous brand is, of course, known for their chunky shoes and platform-esque soles – think their classic 1461 Quad with marked, unmistakable yellow welt stitch.
PLATFORM SANDALS
We’re going all the way back to the 90’s for this one! Platform sandals, beloved of The Spice Girls, are back and we can’t wait to wear them. If you’re looking to boost your spring shoe collection, then platform sandals are the ideal way to do it – in more ways than one. Easy to wear and ideal for that stomping around we keep mentioning, these solid block shoes also give you that extra height to make a bold first impression on friends you haven’t seen in a while….’my, how you’ve grown!’
CHUNKY, CUTE CLOGS
Practical and comfortable, clogs are a footwear item that tends to divide the nation. While some think they are cute, others firmly place them in the ‘ugly shoe camp’, considering the clog to be too close a cousin of the croc. Let’s not get started on how divisive those are.
However, whether you love them or hate them, one thing is for sure; you’re going to be seeing (and wearing) a lot more of them this spring. Yep, clogs are going to be big this year, and provide that marriage of convenience and cuteness which looks likely to define 2021’s footwear.
You can thank fashion brand Hermès for bringing this unapologetically orthopaedic shoe back into fashion. The luxury fashion brand slipped a chunky pair of clogs on all their models, pairing them with everything from leather miniskirts, shorts to sleek black trouser suits, and the fashion world followed suit. Heel clogs have clomped their way back into fashion, too, and look great with flowery summer skirts. Get them while they’re hot, but the weather isn’t quite.
Oh, and if you were wondering, we’re firmly in the cute camp!
Keen to consider your seasonal wardrobe further? Here are 7 IDEAL fashion must haves for spring.