Update your S/S ’18 shoe closet: Shop the 10 major shoe trends this spring

Plastic hasn’t just appeared in the shoe trends for spring: It’s taken over clothing and accessories too. From chunky earrings to rain coats, the clear plastics and PVC is absolutely huge right now. Need a helping hand? Here’s how to rock PVC in our hot weather. For the feet, Alexander Wang, Oscar de La Renta, Off-White, Chanel, Balmain and many more powerhouse designers set their models off down the catwalk with plastic shoes. Boots, flats, sandals – you name it, it was made from plastic. Try choosing open toe / open back pair to ensure your feet can breathe and thus avoid any sweat and blister issues.

Photo: Chanel S/S ‘18 from Vogue.com

Shop: Rochelle embellished perspex sandals, $106.00 from Topshop.

ALSO READ: IT’S TIME TO LIVE LIKE A PRINCESS AS ‘CINDERELLA SHOES’ DOMINATE S/S ’18

The cowboy boot featured across runways from Calvin Klein, Givenchy and Maison Margiela, and is giving this spring that extra ‘edge’ to the more traditional strappy sandals and maxi dresses look. A cowboy boot isn’t the easiest to wear in our weather – opt for an ankle boot version and pair with your daisy dukes or mini dress to stay on trend and keep cool.

Photo: Givenchy S/S ‘18 from Vogue.com

Shop: Leather cowboy ankle boots, $179 from Mango.

ALSO READ: IT’S TIME TO LIVE LIKE A PRINCESS AS ‘CINDERELLA SHOES’ DOMINATE S/S ’18

Such a cute trend that’s spin off from last season’s sock boot trend (which is still going strong too). Erdem, Missoni, MSGM, Burberry, Marc Jacobs and Fendi all rocked shoes with designer socks that both matched and clashed with the footwear.  To nail this trend without overdoing it, try choosing a pair of ankle socks with the same base colour as a detail in your shoe, such as these nude fishnet socks that work nicely with the floral embroidery on the heels.

Photo: Fendi S/S ‘18 from Vogue.com

Shop: Sugar embroidered platforms, $79.90 from Topshop.

Oversized fishnet ankle socks, $9.90 from Topshop.

ALSO READ: IT’S TIME TO LIVE LIKE A PRINCESS AS ‘CINDERELLA SHOES’ DOMINATE S/S ’18

The dad sneaker was a big thing, and now we’re taking it up a notch or five with the newest trend: parted sole sneakers. Featured on Louis Vuitton and Christopher Kane, the chunky protruding sole of the shoe is almost severed in half in the middle.  These bad boys are your ultimate off-duty shoe, so rock with your dungarees, your hoodies and your chilled sports pants. Not feeling these? Check out this new minimal Superga collaboration instead. 

Photo: Louis Vuitton S/S ‘18 from Vogue.com

Shop: Emilo Pucci City Dance sneakers, $803 from Farfetch.

ALSO READ: THONG HEELS: THE ‘90S SHOE TREND THAT’S MAKING A HUGE COMEBACK THIS SUMMER

The shoe that ties up the ankle is unavoidable this season. From ballerina style to gladiators – as long as the shoe ties around your ankle, you’re good to go fashionista. Spotted across most of the runways including Saint Laurent, Altuzarra, Y/ Project, Alberta Ferretti and Sacai, the ankle strap sandal is easy to wear and very feminine. We’ve picked this pair from Mango because they also hit the thonged sandal trend too – embrace both and enjoy!

Photo: Altuzarra S/S ‘18 from Vogue.com

Shop: Leather straps sandals, $129 from Mango.

ALSO READ: IT’S TIME TO LIVE LIKE A PRINCESS AS ‘CINDERELLA SHOES’ DOMINATE S/S ’18

A working woman’s pride and joy, the kitten heel gives us the slight lift and change in stature minus the sore soles by 7pm. From Balenciaga, Prada to Miu Miu, the pesky kitten heel was rife on the S/S ‘18 runways. You can choose this heel with any style of shoe, including thonged, peep toe, closed toe and even ankle boot styles. The world is your kitten heel oyster.

Photo: Miu Miu S/S ‘18 from Vogue.com

Shop: Medium heel red shoes, $59.90 from Zara.

ALSO READ: THONG HEELS: THE ‘90S SHOE TREND THAT’S MAKING A HUGE COMEBACK THIS SUMMER

Considering it’s derived from a male style of shoe back in the early 19th century, the oxford shoes looks very modern and feminine this spring. If you’re wondering what the difference is between an oxford and a brogue – the brogue has a W shape design on the front, and the oxford does not. Bottega Veneta, Celine and Giorgio Armani all embraced the oxford and the brogue this season, delivering that very on trend ‘androgynous’ feel to their collections. Try play with your colours (no need to stick to tan) and pair with skinny jeans.

Photo: Giorgio Armani S/S ‘18 from Vogue.com

Shop: Thom Browne bow-detail lace-ups, $1,640 from Farfetch.

ALSO READ: THONG HEELS: THE ‘90S SHOE TREND THAT’S MAKING A HUGE COMEBACK THIS SUMMER

We’re so glad this shoe trend exists, making us embrace our inner Disney princess vibes with full on glitter shoes. If they sparkle and are covered in sequins or glitter, go ahead and pop those babies on. Designers such as Victoria Beckham, Jimmy Choo, Balenciaga, Anna Sui, Coach and Oscar de la Renta all made spring that little bit extra girly this season with their fantastical footwear. You can opt for silvers, golds, multi coloured or even black toned glitters should you so desire.

Photo: Oscar de la Renta S/S ‘18 from Vogue.com

Shop: Jimmy Choo Romy 85 stiletto pumps, $766 from Farfetch.

ALSO READ: THONG HEELS: THE ‘90S SHOE TREND THAT’S MAKING A HUGE COMEBACK THIS SUMMER

Another 19th century trend that has taken hold of our 2018 runways is the spool heel. First popular by our Victorian ancestors, the spool heel is thicker at the top and the base with a narrow middle, resembling an hourglass. Designers that embraced the spool include Anna Sui, Thom Browne, Fendi and Sies Marjan. If it’s all a little bit too dated looking for you, choose a heel with a less drastic curve such as this pair from Miu Miu, which coincidentally, also hit the kitten heel trend too.

Photo: Thom Browne S/S ‘18 from Vogue.com

Shop: Miu Miu crystal-embellished satin slingback pumps US$1,060 from Net-a-porter.

ALSO READ: IT’S TIME TO LIVE LIKE A PRINCESS AS ‘CINDERELLA SHOES’ DOMINATE S/S ’18

It was buckles galore at Chloe, Miu Miu and Prada – but it was Alexander McQueen who really went to town with this trend. Mostly seen embellishing the ankle boot, the buckle made its appearance by the abundance – often showing up on a shoe three to four times. Whilst the buckled ankle boot is an easy go-to, also look for Mary Janes and heeled pumps that sport the buckle too, as a refreshing change.

Photo: Chloe S/S ‘18 from Vogue.com

Shop: Fonzy leather studded gladiator sandals, $62.35 from ASOS.

ALSO READ: THONG HEELS: THE ‘90S SHOE TREND THAT’S MAKING A HUGE COMEBACK THIS SUMMER