In a digital landscape where almost every aspect of fashion month becomes social media fodder, the shoes have a tendency to get overshadowed–literally–by pant hems and ball skirts and other eye-catching hero pieces that dangle above them. But just because shoes don’t take up as much visual real estate doesn’t mean they don’t deserve our attention and adoration. All it takes is a quick camera and/or finger zoom to confirm their right to the spotlight–which is exactly what I have taken it upon myself to do. It’s only fair.
Scroll down for an analysis of some standout categories (then click through the slideshow for a full-on immersion).
Hyper-Ladylike Heels
One of my favorite shoe trends of the Spring/Summer 2020 season was a subsection of pumps that looked like the offspring of an American Girl Doll, the Queen of England, and my grandmother’s chaise lounge (don’t ask me to get into the mechanics of how they procreated–I’ll blush). Feminine to the point of being a caricature of the concept, these shoes feature all the requisite bells and whistles of sugar and spice: polka dots, floral print, bows, lace socks, et. al. I can’t wait to wear a pair to the gym.
Taste-the-Rainbow Boots
Gone are the days when picturing the word “boot” conjured the image of something black, brown, or–if you’re wild–beige. This season’s iterations came in every color under the rainbow, from lime rind to sunny yellow to baby blue. I’m thrilled, personally and professionally, about this development, because it means we can hop on it now and cushion the descent of jeans-and-sweaters season with a parade of salivating saturation below the belt(s).
A Bread Basket’s Worth of Sandals
When I clicked through photos from the Bottega Veneta show, I couldn’t stop thinking of a doughy, pillowy loaf of braided bread. Is it just me, or is that exactly what the shoes looked like? Maybe I was just hungry. Regardless, I noticed a lot of braid-adjacent sandals on the runways this season, and whether or not they connote bread in your mind, you have to admit they look pretty delish.
Commuter Shoes That Don’t Suck
I realize this is somewhat of a nebulous category, but if anything deserves a mega share of the spotlight, it’s shoes that look comfortable to skip in without sacrificing their stylistic footprint, so to speak. I’m always going to root for: flatform mules, ankle boots with multi-season-appropriate cut-outs, alligator insignia loafers, and subtle clogs. Especially because I’m trying to make my 25-minute walk to work as blister-free as possible, and I need all the visual encouragement I can get to support my thesis that I can do so whilst maintaining my aesthetic proclivities.
Just Plain Eye (Foot?) Candy
Of course, true to fashion runway form, there were plenty of shoes I can’t imagine anyone wearing except maybe Lady Gaga, but those are still fun (and perhaps even more fun) to look at in their own special way. I consider them an invitation to stop and smell the roses of footwear fantasies. This is stuff that will probably spend most of its life on a Met Gala red carpet or in a Met Gala exhibit—like boots that resemble Swiss cheese, or shoes with actual whale tales, or sandals bedecked with enough buckles to fasten a life vest.
Want more? Great news: We’ve got more in the slideshow below.
Did any particular pair speak to your soul? Tell me in the comments.
Images via Getty.
