shoes

This summer, though, I’m making a conscious effort to really think through any purchases I make. I’ve recently done a spring clean of my wardrobe and realised the pieces I love most and turn to year after year are the anti-trend classics. Especially since entering my 30s, I’m really leaning towards those more grown-up, timeless pieces—you know, the kind that chic 50-year-old French women have been wearing for years. And so, when it came to picking which sandal tribe to join this year, I decided to go against the grain and back to basics. I’ve been searching for a pair of minimalist leather sandals with no chunky buckles, padding or flatform soles, just a classic style I’ll feel confident pulling out year after year.  You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Da...

This summer, though, I’m making a conscious effort to really think through any purchases I make. I’ve recently done a spring clean of my wardrobe and realised the pieces I love most and turn to year after year are the anti-trend classics. Especially since entering my thirties, I’m really leaning towards those more grown-up, timeless pieces— you know, the kind that chic 50-year-old French women have been wearing for years. And so, when it came to picking which sandal tribe to join this year, I decided to go against the grain and back to basics. Instead, I’ve been searching for a pair of minimalist leather sandals with no chunky buckles, padding or flatform soles, just a classic style I’ll feel confident pulling out year after year.  You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are...

The first point, then, is to avoid pastel trainers if you want to look fashion-forward. I also wanted to know if the chunky sneaker is finally, officially dead. While Finlay says it depends on which pair, she did point out that items such as the Fila Disruptor or Balenciaga Triple S are on the out. However, “brands like Yeezy, Reebok and Pyer Moss are making waves with the chunky sneaker, bringing it into a much more futuristic aesthetic and away from the retro ‘dad’ style,” Finlay says. Finally, before we dive into the five trends below, I wanted to know: If we were to pick one shoe for the upcoming year, which one should it be? “Honestly, it’s a bit of a Wild West right now, as everyone likes different stuff,” says Finlay...

We routinely turn to Janet Gunn, the 58-year-old influencer behind The Grateful Gardenia, for sartorial guidance. And while age should have nothing to do with your style choices, we’re always interested in her fashion viewpoint specifically given her experience over the years building a well-rounded wardrobe. Today, we wanted to gain further insight into some of the go-to shoe silhouettes she swears by. And while she wears a variety, there’s one key style she wears on repeat and will never retire. Yes, flat shoes, given their comfortable and versatile nature. Below, you’ll uncover the six flat shoe styles Gunn will never give up, complete with styling notes from her. And if you’re inspired in adding one of her must-have silhouettes into your arsenal as well, we also rou...

We routinely turn to Janet Gunn, the 58-year-old influencer behind The Grateful Gardenia, for sartorial guidance. And while age should have nothing to do with your style choices, we’re always interested in her fashion viewpoint specifically given her experience over the years building a well-rounded wardrobe. Today, we wanted to gain further insight into some of the go-to shoe silhouettes she swears by. And while she wears a variety, there’s one key style she wears on repeat and will never retire. Yes, flat shoes, given their comfortable and versatile nature. Below, you’ll uncover the six flat shoe styles Gunn will never give up, complete with styling notes from her. And if you’re inspired in adding one of her must-have silhouettes into your arsenal as well, we also rou...

Marks and Spencer can often be overlooked in fashion circles. However, in my opinion, you just can’t beat it when you’re looking for classic, quality pieces that will last in your wardrobe and don’t cost a fortune. There are certain areas that M&S really excels at—Percy Pigs, cashmere jumpers, bras and knickers and shoes. You might not think that the high-street giant would be known for its shoe department, but its flats and sandals always manage to be comfortable and stylish. This isn’t where I’d turn for statement shoes or a party heels, but it has an amazing collection of summer sandals and loafers. These are shoes to see you through long weekend plans and beach strolls. It has all the classics covered, such as elegant leather s...

Marks and Spencer can often be overlooked in fashion circles. However, in my opinion, you just can’t beat it when you’re looking for classic, quality pieces that will last in your wardrobe and don’t cost a fortune. There are certain areas that M&S really excels at—Percy Pigs, cashmere jumpers, bras and knickers and shoes. You might not think that the high-street giant would be known for its shoe department, but its flats and sandals always manage to be comfortable and stylish. This isn’t where I’d turn for statement shoes or a party heels, but it has an amazing collection of summer sandals and loafers. These are shoes to see you through long weekend plans and beach strolls. It has all the classics covered, such as elegant leather s...

Perhaps it’s that pedicure I’ve just been for, but at this precise moment, all I can think about are sandals. I’ve only invested in one pair in the past couple of years (a pair of chunky flip-flops, in case you were wondering), and now that summer is officially upon us, I now realise that I’m seriously lacking in the sandal department. I only buy new sandals every other year, or longer if I can help it, so I can only assume that in 2019, I decided to rid myself of all my tatty sandals come autumn with the view of replenishing them in 2020—and we all know what happened next. Considering that l haven’t set foot on a plane, it’s only now that I see I neglected to refresh my sandals when I should have done.   There’s an upside ...

In our eyes, the old adage that shoes make the outfit has never been up for debate—it’s a plain and simple truth. But fabulous footwear doesn’t have to mean crippling high heels that look better on a shelf than on some unhappy feet. Since our lifestyles dramatically shifted a couple of years ago and comfort became the number-one driving factor in many of our purchases, designers and brands are finally starting to combine the fun with the practical. Now, you’ll find cool and interesting touches on practical, infinitely wearable pieces, and our wardrobes are pleased about it. One particular shoe brand that has run with this concept of joyful, ergonomically friendly shoes is FitFlop—did you know that each style is biomechanically engineered to complement your body’s st...

If you ask me, versatility is the key to the perfect sandal, along with great quality— then you can wear your chosen pair again and again with everything you already own in your wardrobe. And since you’ll be spending so much time together, your next investment isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. An easily worn away sole or uncomfortably stiff shape will render your sandals unwearable from the start, and we certainly don’t want that.  That’s why I thought I’d put my infatuation to good use and create an expert edit for you. Including only the sandals that, out of the hundreds of pairs I’ve already scrolled through this year for research, have seriously impressed me. Scroll down and you’ll find the 25 pairs I would recommend— from classic leather slides to this season’s...

While we love a fun microtrend as much as anyone, sometimes you can’t beat those classic investment pieces that will quite simply never die. One of these items is a pair of leather slide sandals, and it seems that shoppers can’t get enough of these minimal, elegant sandals. Zara’s £26 crossover sandals have been a fashion crowd favourite, and Dune’s Loupes are so popular they have been re-stocked so many times that we have lost count. Last summer, these were the best seller on Dune, and one out of every six tags on Dune’s Instagram page at the time featured a pair of Loupes. At first, they were available in just tan, black and white, and now they are also in every colour you could wish for. It’s no wonder they’re available in more hues as...

When I look back to my teenage years, I always wonder how I used to go out all night wearing the most inappropriately high heels. How did I not break an ankle? And why did I always think the higher, the better? Maybe it’s age, or maybe I just prefer the aesthetic more now, but I’m all for low heels. Granted, my eyes have been turned by the mega platforms from the likes of Valentino, but in reality, I would wear them once and go back to my comfy pairs that actually work for any occasion. While strappy sandals and mules are my weakness, for 2022, I’ve also been swayed by a whole host of other actually wearable heels. And if I had a wedding to go to this year, I would most certainly be swapping blister-making high heels for clunky clogs, kitten heels and wedges. And as an anti-...