This Autumn's Footwear Fashion; Platforms and Booties!
Andrew Regan
Sarah Jessica Parker famously made Manolo Blahnik a household
name in Sex and the City. However, long before the erstwhile
Carrie Bradshaw and her girlfriends made the legendary shoe
designer a figure of mass consumption, "Manolo's" were already
an essential item in the celebrity world and amongst the fashion
elite. But today, as more and more people demand their goods,
how can the Manolos, Jimmy Choos and Vivienne Westwoods of the
world still get away with charging women thousands of pounds for
their shoes? The simple explanation - women love shoes - may
seem an overused stereotype but it is, sadly or not, very true.
Take one of the leading shoe trends for Autumn 2006: the
platform. Chunky heels are once again all the rage, but they owe
more to 1980s decadence than to the Swinging Sixties. The recent
return to the skinny jeans and leggings of the Bananarama age
has prompted a comeback for the heavy platform and the stacked
heel. But don't get carried away with images of Olivia Newton
John trying desperately to extinguish her cigarette with her
killer heel at the end of Grease - stacked platforms may also be
worn with a bell-shaped dress or skirt, so there's hope yet.
Also on the footwear catwalk this Fall are ankle length
"booties". Once again hailing back to the 1980s, booties vary
slightly in length, from below the ankle to just above the
ankle. Often available with side-zips and buttons, the bootie
will also be worn with leggings this season, as well as skirts,
jeans or slim trousers. Though many designs are available, the
most popular has so far proved to be Steve Madden's black suede
model with a brown wooden heel.
Animal print footwear has also been gracing the catwalks and
fashion magazines with its presence this season. Bring out the
Cruella De Vil in you (animal-friendly, of course) by donning
stylish zebra, leopard or Dalmatian-print platforms, worn with
black tights and a pencil skirt. Top fashion gurus have even
okayed the right to mix animal patterns together by assembling
them with plainer accessories, so fashion slaves may feel free
to go completely wild.
The prevalence of patent leather once again harks back to that
vampish, 1980s feel; worn with a belted sweater and a skirt,
patent leather boots can bestow a classy day-to-evening
appearance, and if layered with a polo neck, will provide a more
mod-ish look. Last but not least, the Autumn season would amount
to nothing if it did not include the high boot. Though booties
may currently be stealing the limelight, high boots will always
provide a sophisticated air that few other items of footwear are
capable of; wear with a patterned coat, or a mini skirt and a
cropped jacket to achieve maximum effect.
Clearly, this Autumn's fashionable footwear is both trendy and
functional, whether worn with the season favourite (leggings) or
not. But rest assured, you won't need Carrie's contacts or
Charlotte's money to obtain them: most high street retailers,
like Schuh, sell
similar models for much lower prices, so that anyone can afford
these essential Autumn fashion items.
About the author:
Andrew Regan is an online journalist who enjoys socialising at
his local Edinburgh
rugby club.
Sarah Jessica Parker famously made Manolo Blahnik a household
name in Sex and the City. However, long before the erstwhile
Carrie Bradshaw and her girlfriends made the legendary shoe
designer a figure of mass consumption, "Manolo's" were already
an essential item in the celebrity world and amongst the fashion
elite. But today, as more and more people demand their goods,
how can the Manolos, Jimmy Choos and Vivienne Westwoods of the
world still get away with charging women thousands of pounds for
their shoes? The simple explanation - women love shoes - may
seem an overused stereotype but it is, sadly or not, very true.
Take one of the leading shoe trends for Autumn 2006: the
platform. Chunky heels are once again all the rage, but they owe
more to 1980s decadence than to the Swinging Sixties. The recent
return to the skinny jeans and leggings of the Bananarama age
has prompted a comeback for the heavy platform and the stacked
heel. But don't get carried away with images of Olivia Newton
John trying desperately to extinguish her cigarette with her
killer heel at the end of Grease - stacked platforms may also be
worn with a bell-shaped dress or skirt, so there's hope yet.
Also on the footwear catwalk this Fall are ankle length
"booties". Once again hailing back to the 1980s, booties vary
slightly in length, from below the ankle to just above the
ankle. Often available with side-zips and buttons, the bootie
will also be worn with leggings this season, as well as skirts,
jeans or slim trousers. Though many designs are available, the
most popular has so far proved to be Steve Madden's black suede
model with a brown wooden heel.
Animal print footwear has also been gracing the catwalks and
fashion magazines with its presence this season. Bring out the
Cruella De Vil in you (animal-friendly, of course) by donning
stylish zebra, leopard or Dalmatian-print platforms, worn with
black tights and a pencil skirt. Top fashion gurus have even
okayed the right to mix animal patterns together by assembling
them with plainer accessories, so fashion slaves may feel free
to go completely wild.
The prevalence of patent leather once again harks back to that
vampish, 1980s feel; worn with a belted sweater and a skirt,
patent leather boots can bestow a classy day-to-evening
appearance, and if layered with a polo neck, will provide a more
mod-ish look. Last but not least, the Autumn season would amount
to nothing if it did not include the high boot. Though booties
may currently be stealing the limelight, high boots will always
provide a sophisticated air that few other items of footwear are
capable of; wear with a patterned coat, or a mini skirt and a
cropped jacket to achieve maximum effect.
Clearly, this Autumn's fashionable footwear is both trendy and
functional, whether worn with the season favourite (leggings) or
not. But rest assured, you won't need Carrie's contacts or
Charlotte's money to obtain them: most high street retailers,
like Schuh, sell
similar models for much lower prices, so that anyone can afford
these essential Autumn fashion items.
About the author:
Andrew Regan is an online journalist who enjoys socialising at
his local Edinburgh
rugby club.
posted by The Editor at
5:58 AM
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