If you’ve trawled shopping centres and online boutiques for the perfect pair of flats, you’re not alone! Rescu. has taken out the guess work and has found the perfect pairs of flats to take us from boardroom to bar and beyond! Find out what’s hot!
By Sangeeta Kochareker
We’ve seen androgynous style sweep over the runways with messenger bags and women’s bowties, and now it has hit footwear, in the form of the loafer. Whether it’s made of satin, leather or suede, funky, studded, or simple, the loafer can be transformed to suit any style. From the bohemian to the prepster, there is a loafer for everyone. Fashion trendsetters Jessica Alba, Olivia Palermo and Nicole Richie are all jumping on the loafer trend, as they aspire to mimic Audrey’s Hepburn’s timlesss look.
Another trend to keep this season is the classic ballet flat, which still shows no signs of fading into retirement. The ballet flat has transitioned from season to season with grace – reinventing itself in different fabrics, patterns and added accessories. Although the original flat stands alone, spinoffs are making their way onto the fashion scene.
The latest spinoff we’ve picked up on is the ankle strap trend – highlighting an often-ignored body part. Shoes with ankle straps in the form of silver cuffs, black elastic bands, bold leather or silky fabric are the latest trend. Bloggers such as “Fashiontoast” and Sydney’s own “Tuula Vintage,” have picked up on this look, featuring heels with ankle cuffs on their sites. The trend, however, also looks great with flats. Ankle straps give any outfit an edgy spin and can be appropriately paired with a suit for a daytime business meeting, or with a clingy dress for a nighttime bar.
And if you are up for braving a heel for a night out, shoe designers have finally answered your prayers with a fun, new idea – a foldable flat. Easily stuffed into a handbag before a night out, this compact shoe is a great alternative for a bare foot after a night of heel pain. While the loafer, ankle strap and foldable flat are all picking up speed, it’s time to retire those oxfords. Once chic, they have now run their fashion trend course and are so 2011. Toes everywhere will be thanking us, as they are slipped out of these pointy and uncomfortable shoes and into a foldable flat.
And there you have it, this season’s shoe trends – your guide to what’s hot and what’s not. But most importantly, and the key to looking like a trendsetter, is feeling comfortable with your fashion choices and making it work for you and your look.
