What’s the latest shoe trend hitting stores this spring? Shoes that are at once flirty and comfortable. Cutting-edge and as soothing as the slippers you wear around the house.
It doesn’t sound possible, but turns out… it is. And maybe it will break the cycle of suicide by stiletto we’ve been enduring for the past decade or so.
The first hint I had came from Prada. Not the $690 platform sneakers the fashion house hawks online but a pair of flats that look as if you just wrapped your feet in a length of sweet powder-pink fabric, knotting the material and ending up with a big fat bow across the front. It’s the kind of detail that will make you happy to stare down at your feet (your comfortable, standing-on-firm-ground feet) all day long.
Then there were the kitten heels in a jaunty blue-and-white stripe and a fluffy bow that had… nothing whatsoever to do with that color scheme!
And of course, once you’ve seen something for the first time, all of a sudden you see it everywhere, in heels of all heights and at all price points.
This shoe trend is shoe heaven tied up in a big fat bow. Sometimes the bow is huge, almost surgical looking! Other times it’s quite demure. All in all, these shoes make for happy feet.
HIGH END
Talk about high-end: Gucci’s Princetown Genuine Shearling Leather Mule has an extravagant crystal-encrusted bow (not to mention the shearling trim tickling your instep). It’s $1,980 at Nordstrom.com.
Gucci Princetown Genuine Shearling Leather Mule, $1,980
The Ballerina Slingback Flat from Prada is pink metallic leather with a big bow and dressmaker pleats (and a touch of black). Perfect with jeans and $940 at ModaOperandi.com.
Prada Ballerina Slingback, $940
Prada’s Stripe Point Toe Mules, with kitten heel, are like a party for your feet. They’re $790 at Saksfifthavenue.com.
Prada Stripe Point Toe Mules, $790
The latest news all over your feet, the Ilona high-heeled mules from Charlotte Olympia, $536.50 at Zappos.com
Ilona by Charlotte Olympia, $790
Back on solid ground are the Alexandra mules from Charlotte Olympia, $499.50 at Zappos.com.
Charlotte Olympia Alexandra, $499.50
MIDDLE RANGE
These satin pumps from Kate Spade New York will light up the night. The Sala style comes in fuchsia, black, ivory and navy; the heel is glittery (fuchsia is available in a plain satin heel as well). They’re $229.99 and $328, depending on color, at Zappos.com.
Kate Spade Sala, $229.99 – $328
The Laney Pointy Toe Mule from Sam Edelman offers a lot of look, with its kitten heel and in five rich colors of suede. $109.95 at Nordstrom.com.
Laney Pointy Toe Mule, $109.95
Again from Sam Edelman, the Darian Knotted Silk Slide Sandals, in golden yellow or and poppy pink slubbed silk, $110 at Bloomingdales.com
Darian Knotted Silk Slide Sandal, $110
Nic+Zoe’s Poppy Bow Mule comes in black leather, and French Linen leather, but the nude satin version is the one that caught our eye. It’s $150 at Nordstrom.com.
Nic+Zoe’s Poppy Bow Mule, $150
A floral tribute to your feet, Calista sandals from Rebecca Minkoff, $149.95 at Nordstrom.com.
Rebecca Minkoff Calista Sandals, $149.95
LEAST EXPENSIVE
E-Z elegance describes the Ava satin slides, $79.90 from Eloquii.com.
Ready to ramp up the glamour factor on this bow shoe trend? SB-Siera slides from Blue by Betsey Johnson, with their oversize crystal bow on champagne satin, just may do it for you. They’re $69.98 at Betseyjohnson.com
Bows even go poolside: from Kate Spade New York, the Shellie Glitter Pool Side Sandal, in multi or midnight glitter, $98 at Bloomingdales.com.
Shellie Gitter Pool Slide, $98
Simply irresistible, the dv Desirae espadrille mules in a light-wash cotton denim uppers. Also available in a muted gold, they’re $24.99 at Target.com.
From A New Day, blush Knotted Satin Mules, $22.99 at Target.com.
