shoes

Boot weather is almost upon us, and while the closet staple might seem like your humble, everyday item,  any footwear enthusiast will know, each season there’s always a plethora of new and unique styles to choose from.  Whether you’re in the market for a flat, commute shoe or a sleek heel, autumn 2020 has presented us with a slew of boots for every occasion. With the A/W2020 runways as a guiding light, we’ve seen quite a few key trends emerge for this season, including over-the-knee boots which were spotted at Bottega Veneta and Victoria Beckham, as well as fashion wellies which were seen at Prada and Chloe.  Aside from those, chunky track sole boots are back for another season, and combat boots have also retained their po...

However, thanks to Bottega Veneta, the chunky boot has been flourishing over the last 12 months, and it’s gone from being a niche shoe offering to something that is available in a variety of iterations from both high street and designer brands. There’s so much to choose from: You’ve got the ‘extra’ Chelsea boot, which typically comes with dramatic calf-grazing height, classic lace-ups for those craving a ’80s punk vibe, and of course, there’s the don’t-mess-with-me XXL variety, inspired by Prada’s viral Beatle boots.  These statement-making (yet no less practical) styles are your cold weather answer to 2020’s velcro sandal: i.e. they’re an easy way to...

Seasons are becoming obsolete in fashion. Call it a response to the climate crisis or the fact that people don’t want to overhaul their wardrobes every six (or even three) months, but on the S/S 20 runways, we saw plenty of coats and items normally reserved for cooler weather. In response to this, Who What Wear’s editor Emma Spedding commented that “throwaway trends are becoming increasingly passé, and we are all looking for clothes that will have a lasting impact.” So where does that leave us with sandal trends for this year, I hear you ask? Well, instead of a dramatic change from the previous year, we’re seeing a continuation of trends that worked for us throughout the whole of spring and summer 2019. Yes, we’re talking “dad” sandals, strap...

Sandal brand Arizona Love popped up on my radar last year when I spotted a steady stream of Instagram influencers wearing the printed trek sandals. Jessie Bush, Erica Davies and our very own Who What Wear columnist Monikh were all spotted wearing the shoes. There was only one problem: They kept selling out. Thankfully, the brand has created even more styles and has been restocked on various online retailers.  Much like the Velcro “dad” sandals by Chanel, Teva‘s classic hikers and all the other iterations before and after, these are sandals of the practical variety. While they’re a traditional hiking style, the multicoloured fabric wrapped around the straps makes them so much more fun. The brand was started only a couple of years by Fren...

Like taxes and jogging bottoms in lockdown, ankle boots come autumn are a sure thing. This particular piece of footwear is a cornerstone of colder weather wardrobes and there’s good reason—choose carefully and you’ll live in them for the whole of autumn and winter. Scratch that—you’ll wear them all year, especially on those chilly spring and summer days too. But, I hear you ask, why do we only start out thinking about buying a new pair come the end of summer? Well, there are a couple of reasons. Firstly, it’s when the summer sales start to dwindle and the newer autumn/winter collections drop. Secondly, it’s that delicious back-to-school feeling that you can only get through a new pair of shoes or excessive amounts of stationery.  However, 2020 is not just any ...

When Emma Watson and Meghan Markle wore a pair of trainers by the conscious French brand Veja, it quickly became one of the most talked-about sneaker brands in the UK. The classic white basket sneaks (made from recycled plastic bottles and wild rubber) feature the distinctive V logo in varying colours on each side. Emma Watson first wore the trainers back in October 2016, but it wasn’t until 2018 when Meghan wore them that the seemingly simple lace-ups started gaining such widespread popularity. Much like other classic trainers (think Converse and Vans), these have rapidly become a staple for when you need a comfortable yet stylish pair of shoes. Plus, these sneakers are so minimalist in design that they work with every type of ensemble—from midi dresses to straight-leg jeans. The Ve...

As far as brands go, few are as iconic as Chanel. The storied French label has been around for over a century and is often regarded as synonymous with all things luxury. Whether it be clothing, handbags, eyewear or accessories, if it has a Chanel logo on it, you can bet it is going to be coveted by the masses.  Where footwear is concerned, in recent years, the brand has reimagined quite a few of its most iconic items. From the dual-toned slingback pumps that were seen on the feet of almost every editor between 2016 and 2018 to the instantly recognizable espadrilles, which (in my opinion) are far too fancy for the beach, Chanel is known for producing wish list–worthy footwear. Of course, this summer is no different, as the label has created a selection of shoes that is just as in-demand as ...

Muaddi has been on the fashion scene for a while, but she only went solo with her shoe brand last year. Growing up in Italy was always an inspiration for Muaddi to want to design shoes, but she first sought out a career working at magazines—an invaluable network for any fledgeling designer. She attended the European Institute of Design and worked as a stylist at L’Uomo Vogue and GQ, ensuring she understood the world of fashion before completely fulfilling her dream. In pursuit of following in the legendary footsteps of footwear designers like Manolo Blahnik, Muaddi travelled to Italy’s famous shoe-making district, Riviera del Brenta, to learn the trade and co-founded her first brand, Oscar Tiye. Following that, Muaddi then moved to Paris, where she collaborated with French couturier Alexan...

Minimalists have been having a ball this year, quite frankly. You’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s just about Daniel Lee’s Bottega Veneta and The Row‘s pared-back aesthetic but it’s so much more than that. The less-is-more look has permeated throughout all of fashion (with the exception of those brands with bold design DNAs), and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. A plainer, less fussy piece, whether it’s clothes or accessories, will work with everything else you already own. It’s a smart choice in many ways—it can help you shop less and ensure your wardrobe is as sustainable as possible.  You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with ...

Lily Allen was probably the first person I remember making me love the trainers and dress combo. For her Smile video, she was pictured in an array of prom-style dresses paired with chunky white sneakers. For what it’s worth, the pink strappy dress layered with gold necklaces and finished off with gold hoops is still a look I love today, 14 years on. The impact of that look, I’d argue, is still felt today—with the frock and sneakers outfit remaining popular. Of course, it wouldn’t be fashion without looking at the newest way the fashion crowd is wearing said trend.  Firstly, you have to consider the dress. From puffed-sleeves to oversized as well as polka dot looks, there are plenty of styles that are very current. Secondly, it’s worth considering your acce...

When you ruminate on Chanel’s most iconic pieces, of course, handbags jump straight into view. Who can deny the decades-long tenure of a quilted 2.55? But if you put down the arm candy and step away from the tweed, there’s another Chanel icon that always rises in popularity in the summer months. One that encapsulates French Riviera dressing better than any other piece on the rail. Welcome to the reign of the Chanel espadrilles: an item that is searched for between 10,000 and 100,000 times a month, according to Google Analytics.  Now, while there’s plenty of love for the Chanel chunky Velcro sandals (just open Instagram and you’ll see dozens), it’s worth noting that these flats are chic yet comfortable and inimitably elegant. Really, there&#...

We all know how versatile a pair of jeans can be. After all, what other garment can take you from date night to weekend with the same stylish flair and universal appeal? However, their ease is often dependent on another item: footwear. Shoes have the power to instantly change the mood of your jeans. For example, for a formal occasion, a pair of bejewelled flats will elevate your classic blues to glamorous new heights. Similarly, ballet pumps will add polish to ripped or frayed-hem jeans—simply add a tailored blazer and a button-down, and you’ve got yourself a chic ensemble. So which shoes would I recommend wearing with jeans? I’m glad you asked. I’ve whittled down the shoes to wear with jeans that I truly believe work for just about every occasion you can t...