Shoe Trends for Spring 2008

Prompted by a recent reader inquiry, I went over to Neiman Marcus’ Shoe Trend site, which I haven’t peeked at yet for this season. As per usual, I found plenty of tempting options. So, like any good blogger, I’m now here to spread the word.

Heel Detail

You may recognize a number of these from the runway shows, because they tend to go heavy on the dramatic flare. These Fendi cage heels walked the Great Wall of China and these Prada flowery sandals made an organic statement in Milan back in September. Now they can be yours for $690 and $790, respectively.

Fendi cage heel prada wavy heel 2 prada wavy heel 1

Metallics

Personally, I’m of the opinion that a metallic shoe is always a great way to spruce up an outfit. In any season. If you agree, you might want to snap up a pair right now, when there are so many options available. You can get your metallic fix in everything from a classic Kate Spade loafer to a pewter Donald J Pliner t-strap to a Valentino multi-tone platform.

kate spade metallic loafer donald j pliner metallic sandal valentino metallic sandal

Floral

What says spring more than floral-embellished shoes? Try a pair of cheerful Manolo Blahnik’s with the Marimekko patterns that we mentioned back here, or a pretty and understated Bettye Muller (whose designs we Shoebloggers always love), or–to be kinder on your tootsies–any color of these Costablanca suede thongs.

manolo marimekko mj bettye muller floral slings costablanca agnes slides

Woven

Here’s a trend we haven’t seen for a few years now, and I’m glad it’s back. Woven shoes have an earthy, organic sort of look that I always like for the warm weather months. What shoes are here to feel the natural inspiration? Well, there’s this Frye low wedge sandal (in a handful of pretty colors) and this Stella McCartney wedge (also note it covers you for the metallic and decorative heel trends, all in one fell swoop) and the Cole Haan Air Bria (in gold or silver and thereby also hitting the right metallic note), to name a few.

Frye cameron sandal stella mccartney woven wedge cole haan air bria

Gladiator Sandals

Nope, they’re not gone. They’ve been the ubiquitous trendy sandal for the past several years, but I’m not complaining. I always like a shoe that mixes elements. Refined and rough. Masculine and feminine. And the gladiator sandal does that, whether it’s a glamazon version by Stuart Weitzman, a buckled and studded strappy one by Claudia Ciuti, or a basic brown leather Dolce & Gabbana.

stuart weitzman gladiator sandal claudia ciuti gladiator sandal dolce gabbana gladiator sandal

Safari

The final trend is the one you have to be most careful of. When you start getting anywhere near animal prints, you’ve got to be careful not too go too over the top. I’d recommend sticking with things that are a little more toned down like this Oscar de la Renta mini-wedge. Or get a safari-esque look by sidestepping animal prints in favor of wooden embellishments, like on this t-strap sandal by Shoesense’s guru, Robert Clergerie. Because, while I dearly love Taryn Rose shoes and all they stand for, their take on the safari style is WAY too much in my book.

oscar de la renta miniwedge clergerie t-strap taryn rose safari flat

So go, Shoeblog readers. Find your spring shoes armed with trend awareness. It’s a fine line between trendy for its own sake and trendy in a way that will last into future springs to come. But you can do it. You’re savvy people.

7 Comments - Click Here to Speak Up

7 Responses to “Shoe Trends for Spring 2008”

  1. January 08, 2009 at 3:52 pm, 2008: A Year in Shoes : Prada,Gucci and Fendi Blog said:

    [...] Hail the Heel: Decorated heels proved to be a huge shoe trend in 2008 with heels that mesmerized our eyes and some that raised our [...]

    Reply

  2. January 08, 2009 at 3:52 pm, 2008: A Year in Shoes : Prada,Gucci and Fendi Blog said:

    [...] Hail the Heel: Decorated heels proved to be a huge shoe trend in 2008 with heels that mesmerized our eyes and some that raised our [...]

    Reply

  3. December 31, 2008 at 11:50 pm, 2008: A Year in Shoes | ShoeBlog said:

    [...] Hail the Heel: Decorated heels proved to be a huge shoe trend in 2008 with heels that mesmerized our eyes and some that raised our [...]

    Reply

  4. May 23, 2008 at 9:54 am, Friday Shoe History Corner: Chandelier Shoes | ShoeBlog said:

    [...] heels look like they could easily have come off the spring 2008 runways, especially since heel decorations are all the rage this season. Their real age? The chandelier shoes are from [...]

    Reply

  5. May 11, 2008 at 9:37 am, Wendy Goudie said:

    Hi, Love Your Blog! One can never have enough shoes! Come join me and other members on http://beautydetails.ning.com/. I am sure you will find this network absolutely wonderful. It’s all about Beauty – It’s in the Details! Wendy

    Reply

  6. March 27, 2008 at 9:58 am, Ask the Shoebloggers: Flat T-strap Sandals | ShoeBlog said:

    [...] Well, let’s see. I’ve cheated a bit on some of the details, because there are so many excellent t-strap choices out there. Like the pretty Robert Clergerie sandals I mentioned in yesterday’s post. [...]

    Reply

  7. March 26, 2008 at 10:13 pm, Princess Poochie said:

    That same Bettye Muller slingback is available on SimplySoles.com too. It's exactly the same except it doesn't have the croc details. I like the non-croc version better, I think.

    http://www.simplysoles.com/product/492

    Its only $385 and you see more of the pretty fabric.

    Reply

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