Spring/ Summer 2017 Shoe Trends
We have absolutely loved the shows that allowed you to see it and buy it now as well, something a few rather top designers had signed up for and one that we are very happy to see sweeping the industry. But more than anything else, it was the spring/ summer 2017 footwear trends that had us super excited, since they appeared in so many styles and brought back so many memories from days long gone. After all, it is not an everyday sight to have designer logos as the heels of your favorite pumps.
Spring 2017 shoes are cool and hip and sometimes even totally in line with the latest social trends as well, such as that Marc Jacobs Pokemon platform that brings the latest Pokemon Go fad to mind. We see such intriguing creations throughout that we cannot help but think that the shoes are what will make or break your wardrobe half the time at least during the spring of 2017.
They are colorful and interesting, creatively done and sometimes with a fairy tale twist, like the bright green stiletto body contouring boots at Balenciaga. We even saw crocs on the runways and it has thrown us for a spin!
The top spring/ summer 2017 shoe trends we discovered on the Fashion Week runways include but are not limited to:
#1: Platforms All Over
One of the top summer 2017 shoe trends to pull into focus is the platform trend, adding height and loveliness to just about any shoe that appears on the runways. We see them in breathable boots in monochromatic colors at Salvatore Ferragamo.
Erdem’s snakeskin combination with ankle lacing and gorgeous platform heels certainly gets us thinking about statement footwear to match with some of the plainer designer dresses we saw on those spectacular runway shows. Proenza Schouler, Miu Miu and so many more did awesome work in their adaptations of this particularly popular shoe style.
#2: Those Kitten Heels
There is nothing sexier than giving just a hint of something special, and kitten heels have long been that perfect little formula to add an arch without hurting the feet and create an air of adorable mystery. Whether those lovely spring 2017 footwear designs are branded steppers or strappy sandals worn with sheer tights, this is a look that most of the top designers have added to their repertoires.
Celine’s darling heels are way cool in and of themselves, worn with sheer stockings and adhering to the stocking with sandal trend as well. Dior’s got its logos shown strongly, while it’s all about the party in comfort at Miu Miu.
#3: Flatforms with Quirk
You know about the platforms, but how do you feel about the flat versions? With flatform heels and a flat sole, these are a platform and flats combination that took over the spring 2017 shoe trends throughout the Fashion Weeks. Brands really were not shy about flats it seems, and crazy prints with crazy embellishments were totally in.
Gucci’s Oriental designs and ankle straps were certainly something we could invest in. Flatforms with a shiny advantage are literally all glittered up at Balmain as well, giving the footwear all the height and none of the pitch we are used to with other heels.
#4: Thin Stilettos
Okay, we get it… this is a season of contrasts. If you can wear one style, you most certainly can wear the opposite. In the clothing that meant both shoulder pads and transparent materials, both miniskirts and long midis, etc.
In shoes, it means both the chunky awesomeness that provides comfort and the slim chicness that is all about the delicate femininity of the woman. It means open-toe sandals with stockings at Altuzarra and thigh-high boots that really hug the legs tight at Gucci and Balenciaga.
#5: Rounded Heels
There is just something about geometrically shaped heels that gets our blood boiling and seeing the spring 2017 footwear trends including the circular designs was certainly pleasantly surprising. It has appeared in previous seasons as well, but the trend combinations are what make them awesome here.
Color blocking with Jacquemus, for example, put the black, white and nude pieces that are all about chunky meets dainty at the top of the shopping list.
#6: Branded Footwear
The summer 2017 shoe trends would not be complete without the branding that has taken over the runways over the latest Fashion Week shows all over the world. We see cute little kitten heels with “J’ADIOR” straps on the Dior showcasing, while many others add their labels to the heels or all around the footwear they have their models’ feet clad in.
As for Saint Laurent, it appears that sometimes the heels are a great way to show off your logo and still appear as cool as possible.
#7: Sandals With Socks
This trend was all over the runways during the spring 2017 presentations at Fashion Week. We see all kinds of creations here, from Givenchy’s laced up yellow sandals worn with thick brown socks to a look that is entirely unexpected, creating a boot out of a synthetic sock-like material that is worn with strappy barely there stiletto sandals.
Celine’s funky slider and latex sock looks created sock boots that are simply to die for. We have to admit though, sometimes the stockings with sandals really was cool, especially when the stockings were graffiti tights and the sandals had some really funky heels as per Libertine’s imaginings brought to the New York runway.
#8: Socks and Boots
We see socks and sandals quite a bit, but it is the socks and boots that is the top trend to focus on here, whether as separates or fused together. There are some incredibly gorgeous pieces that really look so very lovely on the legs, emphasizing the best parts of the lower limbs and creating some intriguing textures with corresponding coloring.
Fendi’s very fall-like footwear is definitely at the top of the list here, whereas we see something that is less expected, with more loafer-like entirely synthetic shoes mixed in with over-the-knee sock-like additions that are totally a main part of the DKNY footwear masterpieces.
Western boots and colorful socks can also be paired together quite comfortably this spring if Anna Sui’s fashion sense is at all to be taken into consideration.
#9: Sheer Tights with Strappy Sandals
Sheer socks and tights are also in this season and we are wondering what to do with it. After all, it has been so taboo to wear them sheer with sandals for so long, it is strange to see this trend taking center stage.
Open toes and ankle straps are not only okay, but entirely recommended for the spring and summer of 2017! That was clearly seen at Celine, where banana yellow single-toe-strap and ankle-strap sandals were paired with sheer black stockings. Altuzarra’s red divinity also proves that stockings can be colorful and playful and also have dark toe covers. Who would have thought?
#10: Those Sock Boots
Okay, we saw boots with socks and some other funky designs, but this really does need its own category. It is a boot that literally looks like it is made from a sock in a shoe or something similar, it is a cozy trend and a sometimes rather not so pretty one as we noticed at Loewe. Fendi had some awesome athleisure though, and Dolce & Gabbana’s designs were super hot, black lace stilettoes and all.
#11: Shiny Shoe Goodness
We like to shine our boots and shoes and go out for the night or day all the time. But when that shine suddenly takes on a new meaning, it appears that it is a party day in and day out. Whether we are talking ruffles on pretty stilettos like with Saint Laurent or gold and silver disco-ready flatforms from Balmain, this is one spring/ summer 2017 shoe trend that we can really have a lot of fun with, especially if we make the shoes the statement of the outfit for the day.
#12: Breathable Footwear
We see a lot of boots and shoes especially that allow for breathing room with holes all over or a mesh creation. We even see Crocs throughout the weeks with their holes that allow the feet to really let the air in. Salvatore Ferragamo brought in the monochromatic color trend along with the breathable boots, while black lace sock boots came into effect on the Dolce & Gabbana runway, looking totally fabulous.
#13: Tying/ Strapping Round the Ankles
It appears that the ankles are a great part of the body to emphasize come spring 2017. Whether we are looking at thick wraparounds in leather or thicker single straps in snakeskin, we see many top designers creating their masterpieces in a way that both shows off skin and covers beautifully, sometime chunky, sometimes dainty, but very often bringing the gaze to that slimmest part of the legs.
House of Holland’s panel play and gingham designs are really cool, the looks made light and springy and entirely perfect with this ankle strapped trend. From the ruffles of Saint Laurent to the buckles of Attico, the wrapping around the ankle trend is as huge as it can get.
#14: Laced up and Bound
We get to see a whole lot of spring/ summer 2017 shoe trends, where the shoes are laced up either tightly or showing whatever is underneath, worn with socks and stockings and open backs or simply looking awesome in the sandals or boots sections. Givenchy gives us some intriguing designs to choose from, while it was all about the athletic boots come Dior’s sexy presentations.
As for Versace, it is athleisure at its finest, with a whole lot of fashionable heel options, the colors of the boot laces matching the clothing and handbags perfectly. As for the Western trend that was huge for the spring as well, there are some boots to match it, with J.W. Anderson offering us a range of mid-calf laced up boots in suede and leather.
#15: Open Back Footwear
Whether as part of the chunky collections with ankle straps that are nice and thick, or with thin strands around that slender area and riddled with colors and patterns, the open back footwear is totally in and we are not just talking mules either, though those certainly do make an appearance.
Givenchy gives the trend a whole new look really with laced up mules that sport kitten heels and are worn with thick socks underneath. Pretty snazzy, if you ask me.
#16: The Bane of the “Ugly” Shoes
What makes a shoe ugly? That is hard to say and is entirely subjective, but many have called Crocs and Uggs utter abominations, despite them being some of the most comfortable footwear on the market.
It creates strong emotions for or against really, and seeing the Crocs at Christopher Kane or the Uggs at Preen definitely has us either thanking or cursing the designers. No matter what one thinks about these “ugly” creations, they are in style, they are going to be on the streets, and it is just best to embrace it all.
#17: Making the Varsity Team
Athletic inspirations have been huge all across the runway trends, from the clothing to the accessories and most especially the spring/ summer 2017 shoe trends. It is an unexpected footwear option but one which we certainly can enjoy to the maximum. Whether we are looking at boxer boots or built-in socks, the season is calling for sneakers.
White boots that go up to the knees, all laced up, appear at Dior in a lovely manner, whereas DKNY makes athleisure look so very comfortable that fashion has met its match. Fendi’s sock and boot combination is by far one of our very favorites though, even if we think this would totally look better as part of the Christmas trends as opposed to the spring of 2017.
The white sneakers in general caught peoples’ attention and have been given their own category time and again. Tommy Hilfiger has some pretty awesome pieces in this style along with Bands of Outsiders and Lacoste.
#18: Leather for Warm Weather
Vibrant shades are a common look for the spring 2017 shoe trends, and it is the leather boots from the winter season that seem to make a very pronounced appearance on the Fashion Week runways.
Whether we are looking at the square toes of Balenciaga, or the rounded versions in orange coming up to the ankles at Celine, warm weather boots are a real thing and the colors are what make them so attractive for the average fashion lover. Honestly, near all the boots, and there were quite a few, were leather designed and meant to keep you fashionably warm.
#19: Skinning Snakes
There is a rather intriguing spring 2017 footwear trend out there and it has everything to do with snakeskin. Really interesting creations have been brought to the Fashion Week runways as such, including some crazy picks from Marc Jacobs and some half and half looks as per Louis Vuitton, appearing very tastefully to mix green snakeskin across the back of the foot with nude triangle toe leather over the front.
Snakeskin and rivets looks pretty amazing at 3.1 Phillip Lim in the bootie section, while Rodarte’s panel play on the boots was more than appealing, with the combination of simple leather and snakeskin.
#20: Shoes with Funky Heels
Non-geometric designs are a common theme to shoes during every Fashion Week and it was no less a trend during the spring 2017 offerings. Loewe rather enjoys playing with the heels it appears and it was cool to see the slight swirls there.
It got totally Western when we consider the Alexander McQueen shiny chrome additions with rivets, as well as the slightly askew totally square appearing heels at J.W. Anderson. Saint Laurent had heels made out in the brand’s logo that looked pretty rad as well.
And if anyone is into circular kitten heels with ribbons and open toes, Dries Van Noten has the right fit, or not, for you. Hood by Air even had heels that imitated the actual shoes, while Kenzo brought springs to barely there red strappy sandals. As for having wales on the heels, we can thank Thom Browne for that.
#21: Thigh-High Boots
Thigh highs were not as common as we would have thought when it comes to the spring/ summer 2017 shoe trends, but the body contouring style of some of the pieces, particularly seen at Gucci and Balenciaga were certainly something to catch the eyes. They were sexy and like second skins, seen in spandex and patent leather, the latex culture gaining new right out of them. Really, it was quite intriguing and way too beautiful to pass up.
#22: Slider Comfort Fantasy
Flip-flops were once a huge thing on the streets, particularly in the ‘90s. Now, we have some funky sliders appearing instead, something we noticed last spring as well. They are flats with a laid back presentation and updated for the summer with sequins and floral designs.
Prada, Lanvin, Dolce & Gabbana, as well as Miu Miu have all joined the fantasy slider club and it’s so dang comfortable. One of our favorite slider looks though came from Tory Burchand it was a pearly creation that was so dearly feminine we could not look away.
#23: Bows, Feathers, Ruffles and Ribbons
Shiny and ruffled would not be the first choice of embellishment that we would pick for the spring/ summer 2017 shoes, but Saint Laurent certainly makes good use of the eccentricity of the style on simple stiletto ankle-bound shoes in black that make the legs look gorgeous.
The ruffles on footwear design actually appears multiple times on different shows throughout the Fashion Weeks, landing it among the top summer 2017 shoe trends. We get to see bows and ribbons all around as well, with some very lovely footwear creations, such as the comfortable looking flower embellished Dries Van Noten shoes or the feathery creations that almost look like home slippers at Anna Sui.
#24: Footwear for the Future
We saw some really futuristic boots as well on the runways, to match with the futuristic clothing designs that were ample. Storm troopers and space warriors were rather a common look it appears, with Chanel channeling the inner Star Wars fighter, Louis Vuitton focusing on the half leather and half reptile creations, and Dior delving into futuristic silver athleisure.
#25: Oriental Inspirations
Chinese and Japanese inspirations came to the spring/ summer 2017 shoes and sandals throughout the Fashion Week shows around the world, from strappy traditional-meets-flatform looks at Gucci to the totally synthetic comfort flatforms at Prada and the shiny version with ankle straps at Versace. The neo-geta sandals were great reinterpretations and spotted on catwalks everywhere.
#26: Moroccan Slippers
Also known as Babouche slippers, there were a whole lot of the flat grandmother style pieces that brought the Middle East to mind. It is a minimalist version this time around though and over appeared in color blocks or simple black, seen beautifully covering the feet at Narciso Rodriguez, showing off the heels at Dior and offering a bit of toe cleavage at Haider Ackermann as well.
They are quite lovely to wear out when you want to keep your height low, and totally comfortable to be getting your daily chores done while feeling like a mature woman.
Photos courtesy of Vogue, Livingly