Fashion month has officially come to an end, which means it's time to digest everything the season had to offer. What's most striking about the spring/summer 2023 footwear trends is the balance between practicality and colorful touches in each city.
Unusual materials took center stage: plastic and PVC (at Simone Rocha, Valentino and Coach) and mesh models (at Bally, Chanel and Stella McCartney). Even Loewe's red shoes, made from layers of latex balloons, turned heads as they strutted down the Paris catwalk.
Glitter was also a recurring theme. Metallic silver stood out at Bottega Veneta's stunning show, where Mathieu Blasi offered pointed wedges (itself a trend for the season) and woven boots in space-age glitter. Satin shine was gaining momentum, alsob trend in side of futurism, especially in knee-high sock boots, which could be seen on the catwalks of Jil Sander and Sportmax.
But along with all this celestial glamor, there are also down-to-earth options, such as wide-strap sandals - this season's answer to slides, confirmed by Miu Miu's utilitarian interpretation. And yes, platform, but in a more refined, classic version rather than the Y2K-inspired 2022 iterations. One thing is for sure: spring can't come soon enough.
Net
Mesh has received a lot of attention in general this season, but the most interesting ideas associated with this fabric have been related to footwear. Inspired by hosiery, many reminiscent of fishnets, pairs of Chanel hybrid boots inspired by the statement style shone on the runway, Bally had stunning thigh-high pumps, and Stella McCartney's chunky knit heels earned high marks. For a more casual approach, consider Nensi Dojaka's woven mesh basket hats and heels. They will capture your heart.
Frills & Fancy Free
Shuttlecocks are back and creating some truly stunning pieces. Collina's hot pink velvet Strada sandals, trimmed with ruffles and bows, made waves in New York, while Dries Van Noten channeled rose accents with lush layers of patterned chiffon on mule heels in Paris. But it was Loewe's bold red bow, entirely adorned with latex balloons that mimicked fabric ruffles worthy of a couture runway, that generated the most excitement.
Life in plastic
Last summer we saw the return of recycled sandals, but the trend shows no signs of going away. Simone Rocha had lace-up sandals in abundance, while Loewe had sheer PVC sandals, a more modernist take on the material.
Minimalism
There's no doubt that slides have been trending for a long time, but this season the mini band sandal got the runway treatment with a thick, wider strap. The bold strap is reminiscent of last season's '00s gladiators, but with a utilitarian approach. Miu Miu featured this shoe-sandal hybrid in nearly every look in the collection, from block heels to knee-hugging sandals, while Max Mara's platform nods to ancient Greek designs with a modern twist.
Silver linings
Metallic colors are making a comeback and we can't get enough of the ultra-sockable styles. Bottega Veneta's curved heel takes cues from the wedge silhouette, while Chloé's pewter clogs nod to the loose '70s style the brand is known for. Meanwhile, Tory Burch's pointy booties show how easy it is to incorporate metallic into everyday life.
Wedges
There is something about wedges this season that will carry over into the next one. The Fendi show reinforced the movement, offering both platform sandals and sky-high ankle boots in a rubberized material that seemed to bounce down the runway. Dries Van Noten and Salvatore Ferragamo also pushed the boundaries with cropped styles that used materials in new ways.
Mary Jane
In Milan, Prada sent nearly every look down the runway with Mary Jane heels—and if that's not enough reason for you to invest in the trend, here's another reason.If Chanel is more your style, the fashion house gave the style a twist reminiscent of 1920s tap shoes, while Coach crossed sparkly heels with minidresses and socks to create a retro babydoll look.
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