runway trends

Shoes trends: socks with comfort sandals

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion / Shoes / Trends  tagged runway trends / sandals / spring 2015 / street style trends / summer 2015 by

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Pictured: Vivienne Tam spring/summer 2015 runway. Model wearing thin socks with comfort sandals. 

First, street style aficionado’s were spotted wearing comfort sandals; especially Birkenstocks! Then, these same style mavens were spotted pairing socks with their comfort shoes. Guess what happened next? You guessed it! The street style trend hit the runways and is showing no sign of slowing down as move into the new year.

The hottest trend in footwear right now, and moving into spring/summer 2015, is wearing socks with sandals. The socks can be thick, thin, nylon or cotton; whatever tickles your fancy. The sandals are flat and comfortable; often featuring simple straps.

Wearings socks with sandals was a huge trend back in the early 1990’s. Fashionistas across the Bay Area and beyond were spotted wearing mainly Birkenstock’s with socks. As the 1990’s evolved, and fashion-savvy shoe fans decided socks with sandals was a weird thing, socks were only worn with closed toe shoes, boots or athletic shoes. Never with sandals!

Fast forward to 2014 and socks are being spotted on the street with sandals. From the street, the style has gone onto the runways; making socks with sandals a street to runway trend for 2015.

The plus side of the socks with sandals trend, is that sandals can be worn in cold weather. The drawback to the trend is that, well, socks with sandals have their own unique look; let’s leave it at that. 😉

What are your thoughts on the socks with sandals trend? Will you be wearing it this spring?

Socks to wear with sandals:

Sandals to wear with socks:

Loafers and flats for fall 2014 and winter 2015

 in General Fashion / Shoes / Trends  tagged fall 2014 / flats / loafers / runway trends / street style trends / winter 2015 by

loafers fall 2014 winter 2015

Pictured: Loafers and flats for fall 2014 and winter 2015: Studded Oxfords / Loafers / Brown Monk Strap Flats / Degrade Oxfords

Fall 2014 is underway, and winter 2015 is fast approaching. One of the biggest trends in shoes for the fall/winter 2014/2015 season is menswear inspired footwear. Menswear inspired footwear includes oxfords, loafers, and even penny loafers! The majority of loafers, oxfords, and flats for the fall 2014, and winter 2015 seasons, are being shown in neutral tones with just enough height on the heel to offer extra arch support. Extra arch support = extra comfort. Love that!

Menswear inspiration has been a strong trend over the past few seasons. Despite the trends’ strength, it has not been the number one trend on the street. Consumers have been taking parts of the menswear inspired trend and incorporating it into their own personal style; rather than wearing the trend head-to-toe. One of the most popular aspects of the menswear inspired trend has been the footwear.

Menswear inspired footwear has become incredibly popular on the street for many reasons. Oxfords, flats, and loafers can easily be worn with trousers at the office, with jeans on the weekend, or paired with a skirt for a fashion-forward, funky look. In addition to being versatile, menswear inspired footwear is also comfortable. Oxfords, flats, and loafers are easy to wear all day and they are perfect for standing or walking for extended periods of time. This makes flats, loafers, and oxfords both versatile and practical. Love that! After all, how often can we say something is both on-trend and incredibly comfortable! Not very often. . .

Flats, loafers, and oxfords are also showing no sign of slowing down as we head into the resort 2015 season and the spring 2015 season. Designers are showing dark colors and neutrals on menswear inspired footwear for the fall/winter seasons. While for resort and spring, designers have opted for pastels, light hues, and perforated leather. This shows the menswear inspired trend is going strong, and will make a good investment as move into 2015.

When shopping for flats, oxfords, and loafers this fall 2014 and winter 2015 seasons, look for neutral colors which will transition easily into the new year, as well as for lug soles. Lug soles are staying strong as we move into 2015 and are also fabulous on rain slicked sidewalks or icy pathways.

I found a few amazing oxfords, flats and loafers online which are perfect for now, and into early 2015. You can find them in the shopping widget below! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

Painted handbags and shoes for fall 2014

 in General Fashion / Handbags / Shoes / Trends  tagged burberry / fall 2014 / runway trends / spring 2015 / street style trends / winter 2015 by

painted handbags painted shoes fall

Pictured: Satchel / Bootie / High Heel / Shoulder Bag

Painted handbags and painted shoes are a huge trend for the fall 2014 and winter 2015 seasons. Although this trend first emerged several seasons ago, it has taken an upswing for the fall 2014 and winter 2015 seasons; and is taking the streets by storm.

Designers such as Maison Martin Margiela and Burberry are showing exquisite, luxury handbags and shoes for the fall 2014 and winter 2015 seasons which offer artistic paintings. These artistic paintings are done in soft tones which blend with their canvas; enhancing them rather than competing with them. Paintings are being shown mainly on shoes and handbags; although, designers such as Burberry are also showing belts with brushstrokes.

As the painted handbag and shoe trend becomes more important, brands with moderate and affordable price points are joining in the painted trend and introducing their own version of painted shoes and handbags for the winter 2015 season. While moderate brands are sticking to painted handbags, there is no reasons to discount the assumption that they will eventually introduce painted shoes to their seasonal collections.

The paintings being found on handbags and shoes for the fall 2014 and winter 2015 seasons include soft, sophisticated florals and abstract brushstrokes. These designs offer a feeling of wearing shoes, or carrying a handbag, which is one-of-a-kind and special; despite the fact they could possibly be mass produced.

This feeling of carrying, or wearing, something which is one-of-a-kind, makes any Fashionista feel special; and like she has something no-one else has! I have to admit, I love the idea of carrying something unique or wearing something no-one else has. Often times, this is difficult because something which is one-of-a-kind often carries a high price point which is out of reach for most people. The painted handbag and shoe trend for fall 2014 and winter 2015 offers that unique, one-of-a-kind vibe we all wish we could own through mass produced luxury, moderate, or affordable price points in our own, personal, comfort zone.

Painted handbags and painted shoes are an emerging trend, it is likely that this trend will continue past fall 2014 and winter 2015; and into spring 2015. When shopping for a painted handbag or painted shoes, look for a color combination which will blend well with your current wardrobe, or offer pop as a stand-alone piece against an all-black or neutral ensemble. 

I found a few fabulous painted handbags and painted shoes for winter 2015 around the web and placed them into the shopping widget below. I hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉