Summer is officially here and that means it is time to ditch the tank tops, shorts and sandals. This season, some of the major trends in footwear have been seen by nearly every celebrity and street style expert all over the world. Leaving nobody behind, I’ve created a straightforward guide to mastering this trend and where to buy it.
Trend #1: Gladiator Sandals
It looks like this season we will all be traveling back in time to historical times as the number one shoe right now is the gladiator sandal. Known as a celebrity favourite, they’ve been spotted on fashionistas like Jessica Alba and Alessandra Ambrosio. The wonderful thing about this trend is that there are too many types of gladiators to select from depending on your personal style. From easy flats that strap all the way down to the ankle to a cage heel that reaches the knee, there’s something for everybody. Since these shoes stand out on their own, the key to pulling this look together is to keep your outfit easy by pairing it with a light summer dress or cropped shorts and a straightforward t-shirt. I personally love the look that Kourtney Kardashian put together by pairing her gladiator with a loose bohemian dress and straightforward accessories. If you want to rock a knee-high gladiator, this look is ideal!
Gladiator Shop: Chloe ($1,450, Bergdorf Goodman), Valentino ($975, Sak), Joie ($262, Sak), Topshop ($45, Nordstrom)
Trend 2: Espadrilles
These shoes are made for the girl who likes to look casual and nothing says relaxed style like an espadrille. One of my favourite celebrities rocking this trend is Ashley Tisdale who paired her Chanel espadrilles with jean shorts and an oversized button-down shirt. The mixture of high and low here makes for the perfect casual weekend outfit. If you want to dress up your espadrilles I suggest getting espadrilles that have a slight platform or strap around the ankle. It’s perfect for a summer skirt or dress.
Shop Espadrilles: Valentino ($895, Nordstrom), Tory Burch ($135, Nordstrom), Solution ($35, Nordstrom)
Trend 3: Strappy flats
Calling all the girls who hate wearing heels—the strappy flat trend is for you! This feminine look has recently been seen on girls like Alexa Chung and Olivia Palermo. This shoe is unique in that it is formal enough for the office, but still has a little bit of edge and sexy simplicity to take you to an after-work drink. My favourite way to style these shoes is to pair them with a skirt or dress for a classier look. It’s also an incredible way to show off lace details.
Shop Strappy Flats: Aquazzurra ($695, Barney), Stuart Weitzman ($385, STuart Weitzman), Jeffrey Campbell ($134, Nordstrom)
Trend 4: Slip on sneakers
Like it or not, the normcore fashion trend continues and the shoe that leads the way is the slip on sneaker. These shoes are not any longer just for skaters and hipsters. Big fashionistas are rocking them and luxury brands like Chanel and Jimmy Choo have taken notice. One of my favourite ways to style this trend is to pair your sneakers with something a little unforeseen like a skirt or dress. This is the perfect combination for the effortlessly cool look that celebs like Jessica Alba and Rihanna are famous for.
Shop Slip on Sneakers: Joie ($190, Nordstrom), Vince ($195, Nordstrom), miu miu ($495, Sak)
