PART of the fun in dressing up is picking the right pair of shoes to match your carefully planned outfit. It can be exciting and experimental, but with so many styles to choose from, it can also give you a headache.
This year, shoe brands everywhere are giving us plenty more options, but this time by drawing design elements from bygone eras. From heels to mules and sneakers to “flatforms,” here are the styles that are officially making a comeback:
Heeled thongs
Comfort in the front, fashion in the back, these fancy flip-flops are having a moment. The thong sandals, as seen on Rihanna casually stepping out in Los Angeles or in some Spring ‘21 runway shows, have been given a makeover, with proportions and details that have turned them trendy again.
Kitten heels
As we ease away from our 24/7 pandemic footwear of choice, these shoes, typically with just one- to two-inch heels, are a safe pick. They come in a variety of silhouettes too, from pumps and sandals to mules and boots.
High-top sneakers
The love of nostalgia is strong with this one and with It girls like Bella Hadid sporting them, these classic 2000s sneakers are not going anywhere anytime soon. These come in both designer and affordable labels.
Platform slides
The platforms everyone loved in the ‘90s and early ‘00s (think Spice Girls) have made a reappearance in every size, shape and form. Not only do they make a statement, they also give you that same comfort you’ve gotten so used to during the lockdown, without making you look like you made no effort when stepping outside the house.
Clear shoes
This trend from the early aughts is back with a vengeance. Choose from strappy stilettos and blinged-out slingbacks to embellished flats and mules in PVC or lucite. Celebrities love them and virtually every designer has come up with a version of it.