No Business like Shoe Business

CEBU, Philippines - Shoes can make or break any outfit precisely because they can be considered as one of the most crucial accessories to any fab getup. Even when it comes to shopping, the number one rule really is to never scrimp on your shoes. Invest on it, spend for it (although you really don’t have to drain your entire personal savings just for shoes!) because in the long run, it’s all worth it. Prices, after all, speak of confidence and quality.

With summer taking a backseat, we can all give our dependable flip-flops a break and slip on something that’s sure to generate a buzz. This season’s shoes are statement pieces in themselves so you can definitely go simple with the rest of your threads in order to provide a sense of focus. From animal prints to architectural structures to fantastic fringes—you name it. This season, simple and boring just don’t make the cut.

Fringe Connection

Fringing will continue to be one of this year’s top trends from the threads down to your toes all thanks to Gucci and Balmain who both pushed folk-inspired fringing in the limelight just recently. For a more updated look, the fringe shoe takes on a lighter, more Western feel from the flats to the high heels, and everything in between.

Give this trend extra mileage and pair it with more pieces from your wardrobe simply by donning it in more earthy and basic shades like tans, camels, browns, and even black.

Chain Reaction

Nothing calls more attention and turns more heads than bondage and fetish clothing which made a buzz in the 2009 fashion trends. Naturally, fetish clothing rubbed off on the shoe department. The fetish and bondage trend is all about studs, chains, and a heap of other rock star elements. Take the cue from the bold pyramid studs at Blamain, dress it a little bit down with a more subtle version from Anna Sui, or rock it with Rodarte’s heels which come in rebellious chain details.

This shoe trend is all about being solid, strong, and sexy so keep it luxe by making it the focal point of your outfit. Ditch anything that borders on chunky so you won’t look like cheap PVC.

Embellished and Exotic

Flats can sometimes border on boring with its staple simplicity and its lack of height. But with the exotic gems that dressed up many of the Spring 2009 collections, the laid back flats are about to get a new lease on life. Anna Sui’s beguiling Egyptian-inspired sandals leads the way with this trend while Donna Karan, Dries Van Noten, and Louis Vuitton follow suit with bejeweled and beaded embellishments which usher in a mystical and exotic feel.

If you’re going for height and bringing in the heels, own the night with a lush Queen of the Nile or Grecian dress.

Reptile Rush

You don’t have to wipe out an entire reptile species for this one. The reptile leather trend on shoes has seen as many interpretations as there are snake species the world over. For this trend, pick up a pair that does not come in gaudy snake prints or extremely cheap-looking imitations. Pull this one off by banking on quality—even if you go for faux.

All Tied Up

Go girly with criss-crossing laces and painstaking ballerina ties. This trend will definitely take off this season whether you want to go casual on it or dress it up for a Friday night gimmick. It may take a lot of time to get all that criss-crossing and tying done but these are incredibly interesting details on flats, heels, and wedges. Step out from the typical white, black, and browns and add a pop of color by putting on a striking salmon pair.

View from the Top

One tricky trend that’ll make headlines this year is the sky-high heels with ankle straps. What makes this extra tricky is that straps that sit close to the ankle have the tendency to make the legs seem shorter so while the tall girls can definitely pull it off, those with shorter gams should be very careful. 

If you’re feeling daring though, you can still pull this one off by wearing super-high heels to add some height and balance the look. Err on the safe side with Gucci’s triple ankle-strap platform shoes which perfect epitomizes this trend.

Heel Hot

The heel only used to be the shoe’s structural support and nothing more. This year, it’s about to take to new heights as one of the shoes’ focal points. This year is about being bold and beautiful so grab a pair that is anything but ordinary. Invest in pieces that are sure conversation pieces.

Check out how Christian Dior trades in the cigarette heels for intricately carved and cut tribal figures. Alexander McQueen makes waves with the curly heel while Marc Jacobs goes architectural. Draw inspiration from Bottega Venetta’s plaited heels. If you’re going to be bold, you might as well be very bold.

Shoe trends come, go, and get updated a little bit so hold on to the pairs that you have before chucking them out for newer ones. You know how fashion can be so fickle.