“Back-to-School” Stylish Shoes

MY FORMAL education may have ended some time ago but come the end of August, I fall forward into a back-to-school shopping mentality. And, what better way to, er, kick off the new season than with new shoes. Last week LittleBird Nancy McKeon was having similar consuming thoughts, discovering that even in the spendy 2018 fall collections of Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik and the like, you can find walkable heels (if you can get past the sticker shock). In any case, if your summer wardrobe is feeling as stale as mine, think a footwear refresh.

You know that in fashion—as in just about everything else—what’s old is new again. So, fall is chockablock with cowboy boots, not the stiff leather ones you may remember but reinvented versions in slouchy silhouettes, suede and soft leather with silvery details.

Leopard has also made a comeback, along with a slew of other animal prints (zebra and snakeskin, for example). Tweedy patterns have migrated down to the feet. And polka dots are spot on for fall.

For a change, shoe heels have captured the attention of designers with old standbys like block and kitten heels making a reappearance. Sculpted heels (rounded, pointed, triangular) look new and appealing.

Established labels as well as new ones, including Magda Butrym and Attico, have decided it’s time for feet to sparkle, so we’re seeing shoes studded with shiny beads, feathers and twinkling gems.

Below, some of our suggestions for a fall shoe reboot.

—Janet Kelly

COWBOY-BOOT COMEBACK

ABOVE FROM LEFT, KAIGAN BOOTIE: Designer Rebecca Minkoff is known for her knack for combining a downtown vibe with feminine touches, as in this cowboy-inspired soft boot with zig-zag stitching. $227.95, Nordstrom.

LAMSY LEATHER CAPTOE ANKLE BOOTS: Cool-girl attitude aplenty, courtesy of Isabel Marant’s leather boots with silver detailing and geometric heel. $1,350 at Moda Operandi.

LEATHER ANKLE BOOTS:  Update a pair of cropped jeans and a T-shirt with Toga bootie’s on-trend, Western-style details (pointed toe, elasticated inserts and silver-tone plating on a stacked heel).$472, Matches Fashion.

A IS FOR ADORNMENT

ABOVE FROM FAR LEFT, KINZEY FLORAL EMBROIDERED KITTEN HEEL BOOTIES: A flourish of floral from Sam Edelman’s bootie is all it would take to refresh a black dress. $140, Lord & Taylor.

LYNN EMBELLISHED SUEDE SMOKING LOAFERS: Shiny studs give a lift to a pair of Donald Pliner loafers. $178, Lord & Taylor.

MARABOU FEATHER MID-HEEL PUMPS:  Shoes with personality to spare from Attico’s Fall-Winter 2018 collection. The velvet ankle ties and front plumage add texture; the pointed toe and cone-shaped heel add an edge. $726, Matches Fashion.

BEAD EMBELLISHED TARTAN FLATS: Set on a small stacked heel, this tweedy shoe from Simone Rocha glitters with black lamé and glossy beads. Give an  evening dress a new life. $745, Matches Fashion.

PATTERN PRINCIPLE 

ABOVE FROM FAR LEFT, DRUM TWEED & LEATHER HEELED ANKLE BOOTS: A mixed message to like, from 3.1 Phillip Lim. $595, Saks Fifth Avenue.

SABINE PRINTED SNAKESKIN PUMPS: An unexpected green snakeskin print makes this tied slingback kitten heel delightfully different. From Denmark favorite designer Ganni. $280, Moda Operandi.

BB POINTY-TOE PUMP: Pretty polka dots on denim in a walkable kitten heel from skyscraper-heel lover Manolo Blahnik. $695, Nordstrom.

RODNEY CHEETAH CALF HAIR D’ORSAY FLATS: Channel your catty instincts and walk with ease in Sam Edelman’s animal-print flat. $120, Lord & Taylor.

THE HEELS HAVE IT

ABOVE FROM FAR LEFT, COMBINED LEATHER SHOES: Be on trend for less with Mango’s cool-looking geometric heel, Mary Jane strap and see-through upper. $99, Mango.

CIRCA SLINGBACK PUMPS: Available in peach (above) or canary yellow, Matiko’s rounded wood-heel slingback is reportedly comfortable as well as chic and nicely priced. $140, Shopbop.

V HEEL: From sustainably minded Everlane, a v-shaped vamp, almond toe and wear-to-work block heel that’s available in mustard, light blue, black and pink suede. $155, Everlane.

MAISIE BANDED MULE: Malone Souliers’ is a party for your feet with woven band, kitten heel in neon and a glossy patent pointy toe. $595, Nordstrom.

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