When it comes to keeping up with shoe trends, it seems that in 2019, opposites attract. As throwback styles continue to reign and the return of the ‘90s reaches our feet, shoe styles have taken a dramatic shift over the past 12 months.
Strappy sandals and chunky sneakers are king, with fashion girls all over the world flocking to versions of both from The Row, Celine and Nike — polar opposites in terms of branding, but somehow just as current.
“Skyscraper stilettos are starting to disappear – it’s all about the kitten heel which is coming back in a big way. You don’t have to be in a stiletto to feel sexy anymore – it’s all about effortless elegance, chic functional footwear,” one half of Australian It girl shoe label Mara & Mine, Jasmine Stefanovic tells us, confirming even she, a veritable queen of strappy sandals, is still into the chunky sneaker.
Stefanovic’s partner, Tamie Ingham, agrees. Citing barely-there sandals, teeny tiny heels and retro square toes as the biggest shapes moving in to 2020, Ingham has a few suggestions for the shoe loving woman looking to invest.
“90’s fashion and barely there strappy shoes and square shaped toe shoes are the trend of the season,” she says. “At Mara & Mine this trend takes on many forms from the Azeline strappy with square toe kitten heels to our Daisy mules — this trend is all about having modern daytime sophistication.”
And while it might not be warm enough for cotton dresses just yet, Stefanovic confirms the on-trend sandal works just as well with winter staples, citing suits and jeans as the perfect accompaniment to barely-there feet. “Personally, I love styling a strappy sandal like the Azeline with a leather pant, denim jeans or even suit pants for work. I think it adds a feminine touch to more masculine outfits,” she says.
For more corporate offices, especially during winter, Stefanovic suggests a low-heeled mule, her answer to a nine-to-five staple: “I’m loving the sling back mules coming back. They make for an effortless, chic look that will carry you through your work week right through to after work drinks.”
Shop all of our editor’s sandal and sneaker picks below.
Mara & Mine ‘Azeline’ shoe, $465; maraandmine.com
Mara & Mine ‘Jackie’ shoe, $375; maraandmine.com
Nike ‘Air Max 270 React’ sneaker, $220; nike.com
Veja sneakers, $127; netaporter.com
This story originally appeared in InStyle Australia
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