SS22 Trend Report: The Shoe Trends to Know Now

This is a followup post to our recent report The Runway Roundup - Trend Report from the SS22 Fashion Shows, catchup now.

What’s this season’s ugly shoe? How high are the heels? How chunky are the soles? Listen up, because the shoe gods have spoken. Here’s what everyone will be wearing come summer 2022.

Before we get into the low-downs and the lace-ups, let it be widely known that sky-high stilettos are back. While your feet may have gotten used to cushy leather sandals, dad sneakers and perhaps even Balenciaga Crocs, there’s no better time than to break out the band-aids and Party Feet, because you’re going to need them. From Saint Laurent to Brandon Maxwell, Prabal Gurung and Anna Sui, architectural heels and rounded toes, and next-to-nothing straps are designed to let your footwear have the last word. Besides, what’s a mini skirt resurgence without socks and a mean pair of sling-backs, right Miu Miu?

And yes, while there were Loewe heels held up by a nail polish bottle and chain-link stilettos at Balmain and Tom Ford, the season did not forget where we’ve come from with plenty of practical block heel heights and widths, a bunch of lofty loafers and ballet flats and all kinds of plush, high-end sneakers. So never fear, there’s still room for comfort, especially where fur-lined slides are concerned.

Now, let’s take a look at the standout trends from the Spring Summer 22 runways.

Mary-Janes

The trusty Mary Jane silhouette has made a triumphant return to the spring-summer runways, in every way possible. From Chanel patent pump styles to Dior’s caged or sneaker-hybrid offerings this time-honoured shoe is getting a chic face-lift this season, retaining all the hallmarks of its quintessential wearability.

Platforms

Shiny, printed, satin and patent. Platforms have only continued gaining momentum over the last few seasons with even the highest heels, wedges, loafers seeing their steepest iterations yet. From Versace’s platform loafers to St Laurent’s scarily vertical showstoppers to Coperni’s psychedelic print platforms, if a little more height’s what you want - you’ve got it. Notable mentions go to the quirky ventures at Dries Van Noten, Acne Studio’s “Bratz Doll” dream shoes, Givenchy’s Croc-clog-hybrid platforms, and Rick Owens, who took his classic Kiss boot and worked it into a sandal.

Sporty Sandals

The sandal is synonymous with effortless summer chic and comes as even better news for on-foot commuters during open-toe season. The runway saw the continued onslaught of chunky soles that play into sporty territory with features like velcro, neoprene, and all sorts of cushioned and quilted designs complete with cut-outs. These cool additions to the everyday wardrobe, of course, did not escape the season’s penchant for neon pops of colour.

Gladiator Remastered

Whether you’re a minimalist or a maximalist, there’s a gladiator sandal for you this season. However, maximalists will have a little more fun. Paco Rabanne, Chloe and Valentino offered some side-walk show stoppers, perfect to pair with your summer knitwear, maxi dresses and summary cut-out ensembles. Elsewhere, Tory Burch and Altazurra presented easy-wearing, exotic pairs that play easily into the work-to-weekend wardrobe.

Tall Order Boots

In varying lengths and degrees of practicality, there’s a lot to be said for the swagger that comes from a knee-high. As noted in this season’s trend report, Balenciaga’s extreme thigh-highs were a highlight of the show’s red carpet and Courreges pastel, metallic, and sexy 90s styles were the perfect in-betweeners.

Go-go boots were out in force at Fendi and Dior, while spangled and study Western styles were scattered through Kim Shui and Coperni. While more functional needs were satisfied by the wader boot at Maison Margiela, and the more stable platform boots at Givenchy for heading back to underground clubs and dancefloors (if you dare in those babies!).

Cloud-Walking

From walking on neon sunshine to walking on clouds. The plush, the fluffy and the down-right adorable were all on show for SS22 and, those who love their creature comforts will notice the uptick in fur-lined footwear styles from longstanding brands like Birkenstock and Ugg. On the runway, however, it was Altazurra who offered the sleepwalkers’ solution to getting back on the dancefloor, as did Fendi’s furry friends, while Sportmax seemed to nail the lace-up, ballet, platform and slipper trend all in one. We’ll take 5.

Leather slip-ons entered at Ferragamo, Lanvin’s slides and socks look was very accessible to the WFH-ers and Comme De Garcons brought Salomon low-tops back. Meanwhile, Lanvin offered up a Batman mask-inspired pair of sneakers, alongside an array of squished-out soles and chunky laces. If you want comfort, you’ve got it.