Shoes are one of important fashion statements — a signature style — for
die-hard fashionistas.
Fashion lovers have found they can never invest enough in good quality shoes before hitting the pavement. The right shoes not only make women more beautiful, but – with the right wardrobe – can boost a woman’s confidence.
The footwear trend for this year is still towering heels and platform pumps, which had soared in popularity last year.
This season’s shoes are mega-high stilettos and chunkier platforms that can get as high as 17 centimeters.
That number might cause one to pause, thinking “who wears those heels in real life?”
“Not only do fashionistas and celebrities want to keep updating their style, but also teens in junior and senior high school,” Chika Kartika Sahya Trianindya, owner of local footwear brand Naima, told
The Jakarta Post.
“Those girls usually look for sky-high heels for prom night. They want to look elegant and taller at the same time.”
The mega-high heels may cause some problems in the long term, but they don’t dampen the spirits of many women who stand tall on their heels, believing the shoes make them look slimmer and sexier.
Fashion houses and top designers like Phillip Lim, Christian Louboutin and Prada have showcased a number of sky high heels in their Spring/Summer 2011 collections.
Louboutin, for example, has a series of chunky heeled shoes in bright shades, some with motifs like stripes and animal prints. Prada uses plaited materials in colorful hues to beautify its customers’ feet.
This year, there will be more details and embellishments like buckles and gemstones on shoes.
Indonesian shoe designer Nefrin Fadlan said for this year the combination of materials was more varied than last year.
“Leather, for instance, is paired with wardrobe fabrics like lace, chiffon and tweed,” Nefrin said.
“The colors are soft with a splash of color like orange, pink, fuchsia, yellow and green. I myself make nude colored shoes with a dash of shocking pink.”
It really takes a lot of practice to adjust to the high heeled shoes. If you are not used to them but want to follow the trend, you can start with kitten heels followed by wedges before trying out this season’s high heels.
But, Chika said you shouldn’t force yourself into heels if you think they are uncomfortable as there are still tons of other shoes that may suit you.
Another hot look for the new season is clogs. The wooden-soled shoes reached new heights in 2010.
Their fame will keep going into 2011 as platform clogs can be worn during the summer holidays.
For her Spring/Summer 2011 collection, Chika designed two kinds of clogs: strappy and slip-on.
“Slip-on clogs are quite practical because you can easily slide them on and off. They are also good for people who live in hot climates like Jakarta,” Chika said.
Besides natural colors like beige and light gray, bright and bold hues such as green, blue, bloody red and light gray will be charming feet this season.
“I cooperate with craftsmen from Tasikmalaya [West Java] to make these shoes. I prefer using wood from mahogany [Swietenia macrophylla] trees since it is relatively sturdy and durable,” Chika said.
Chanel features clogs with wooden soles and yellow straps, while Italian fashion house Dolce and Gabbana matched wooden platform heels with animal prints and lacy fabric.
Pointy-toed shoes, which started to make a comeback at the end of 2010, can still be found this season, whether in high heels, kitten heels or flats.
Check out Manolo Blahnik’s chic blue pointy-toed shoes with a touch of fuchsia on the upper part and on the heels.
In the meantime, those who are not into ankle-breakers can opt for modest, classic and timeless yet comfy footwear like ballet flats or flat sandals.
You can always rely on a cute pair of ballet flats when you want to let your feet breathe after days of wearing super stilettos.
It might seem flats are not sexy, but international fashion designers have brought their latest flat designs to the runway and have proven that ballet flats can be as sophisticated and chic as a pair of heels.
Oscar de la Renta designed a number of colorful animal-skin ballet flats adorned with gemstones and metallics, while Alejandro Ingelmo created ankle-strap sandals in black, white and gold.
“Flat shoes are a women’s must-have item,” Chika said.
“Most women like to go shopping so they need a pair of shoes or sandals that are comfy and can be worn all day long while walking around in the mall.”
Chika created flats from suede, leather and canvas and added metallic details in the form of dangling chains.
“If you have a formal occasion you can wear flats made from suede. Leather shoes can be for both formal and casual events, while canvas is more casual,” said Chika, who makes shoes for women from 15 to 45 years of age.
Her color pallet includes light yellow and green, as well as basic yet favorite colors like black, off-white, beige and gray.
Nefrin said this year’s flats come in different styles, from pumps and ankle-straps to strappy ankle-high sandals. A pair of pretty strappy flats is a good way to make a statement without suffering the pain of high heels.
If your ballet flats or sandals are beau-tifully adorned with scrumptious jewels or gemstones, go for a minimalist wardrobe to balance your look, as your footwear is already providing the glamor.
On the other hand, if your outfits have a lot of embellishment, choose plain ballet flats or sandals.
It is also always important to take good care of your shoes. “Always clean shoes after wearing them.
Clean both the soles and the outer part and put them in the open air before storing them in shoe bags,” Chika said.
Flats with unique details like buckles and gemstones can make any simple outfit look more special, lightening up one’s overall appearance.
“This footwear suits everyone. If you are short there is no need to worry because you can match your ballet flats or sandals with short pants to elongate your legs,” Nefrin said.
“The key is how to mix and match footwear with your wardrobe.”
