5 Divisive Shoe Styles That Are Trending for Spring
Every time a new season comes around, it’s a given that not every trend (no matter how prevalent) will be a fit for every person’s taste or style. Some trends are more or less favorable among buyers, critics, editors, and consumers, while others can be a bit more divisive. In other words, they spark more of a debate than your average trend, and the sides tend to feel strongly in favor of or against whatever the item in question is.
My senses tell me that such is bound to be the case for a handful of shoe styles that are about to be everywhere come warmer weather. The five spring shoe trends you’ll soon see below are just the type to evoke either love or hate, and it’s nearly impossible to predict who will lean toward one side or the other. So to see them for yourself, make up your own mind, and do a little shopping along the way (if you so please), just keep scrolling.
1. Clogs
The wooden wonders indeed rose from the dead and made their way into countless S/S 20 runways including Miu Miu, Marni, and Eckhaus Latta.
2. Thong Heels
If you thought that thong heels blew up last spring, just know that was just the beginning. This season, they're back and bigger than ever.
3. Flatforms
I generally have found that there are two camps when it comes to flatforms: those who find them extremely comfortable and those who fear spraining an ankle in them. Which camp are you in?
4. Gladiator Sandals
The tan line factor alone might be enough for some to reject them, but there's no denying that there's something appealing about ancient shoe style which has managed to stay relevant after all these years.
5. Two-Tone
Bold, two-tone heels and boots (most commonly in black and white) were not only big on the runways but prevalent among some of our accessory brands such as Wandler and Manu Atelier.
Since starting as an intern back in 2013, Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour has held several roles here at Who What Wear, and she is currently Editor-at-Large. It was a less expected route, seeing as she was graduating from business school at USC when this all began, but it has turned out to be the best one for her. Fast-forward to 2024, and she's moved to NYC from her hometown of Beverly Hills and spends her workdays a little differently from when she was an intern starting out. Currently, she focuses on a weekly mélange of shopping content. As far as her personal style goes, she's largely drawn to classic pieces and neutral basics but will always make an exception for something colorful, printed, or bejeweled as long as it's deemed worthy enough. After all, the only thing she loves more than a good party is dressing up for one. On weekdays, she can usually be found at home eating something delicious for dinner and trying to force her husband to watch Summer House.