These Spring/Summer 2021 Footwear Trends Are The Next It-Shoes
Good news, shoe-lovers! The footwear trends from the Spring/Summer 2021 runways were really, really good. Like reeeeeeealllly good.
Trust me, these trendsetting shoes are about to be all over your Instagram and Tik Tok feeds this spring. As your resident Kardashian style stalker, I can assure you that Kylie Jenner will definitely be sporting the neon Prada kitten heels below come approximately April.
For the spring season, designers showed a sense of optimism that we will soon be living in a world that requires real footwear again. While we'll likely be spending the majority of this spring shuffling around our apartments in slippers (which is a-okay according to Molly Goddard), and not in these glittering platform heels and statement shoes, a girl can dream!
To tickle your foot-fetish fancy and make you excited to wear heels again someday (hopefully, soon), we've rounded up the ten biggest footwear trends from the Spring/Summer 2021 runways. Whether you're stomp through the grocery store in the biggest boot trends of the season or slipping on a pair of neon heels at home just because, you're sure to look incredibly chic.
Feast your eyes (and perhaps your foot fetish) on the ten biggest footwear trends from the Spring/Summer 2021 runways.
Kitten Heels
Prada
If you haven't worn heels in months, need not fear! The kitten heels (shown in Pantone's Color of the Year for 2021, Illuminating) on Prada's spring runway were like training wheels for wearing heels again.
After months of sneakers and slides, we may be a bit wobbly once we're back in pumps. Thanks to spring's low heels, we can ease back in without breaking an ankle. The kitten heel trend was seen at Chanel, Maison Margiela, Miu Miu, and more.
In Raf Simon's debut collection in collaboration with Prada's creative director Miuccia Prada, he dove into Prada's archives and Miuccia Prada's personal wardrobe for inspiration. “How Miuccia dresses is very often a kind of uniform one way or another, and that was direct inspiration for me for the show,” Simons said in an interview with Vogue.
Valentino
According to Valentino, slingback kitten heels are the must-have summer shoe for 2021. The detailed leather flowers on their red, white, and black mirror their current iteration of Garavani handbags.
The Italian fashion house also updated their classic Rockstud flats with oversized studs and a pointy micro-heel. To balance out the grown-up pointed-toe shape, creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli chose bold colors like bubblegum pink, lavender, and lemon yellow.
Cool-Girl Cowboy Boots
Isabel Marant
You heard it here first, folks. Cowboy boots are still in style in 2021. Though designers had a more literal take on cowboy boots in seasons past, they chose a less overt approach for 2021. This spring's Western boots are far too chic for trail rides and are better suited for stomping the city streets post-quarantine.
At Isabel Marant, cowboy boots hoofed it down the runway in eye-catching white leather, magenta suede, and two-tone denim. The knee-high statement boots looked especially cool paired with floral midis and puff-sleeve maxis. Styled with 80s party dresses, the French label's classic mid-calf cowboy boots felt surprisingly sophisticated.
Zimmerman
At Zimmerman, pointed-toe ankle boots were updated with cowboy-inspired contrast stitching. Creative director Nicky Zimmerman drew upon the native flora and fauna of her home country as inspiration for her Aussie-based label's spring collection "Wild Botanica." Her choice of cowboy-inspired footwear likely references Jackaroos— the Australian version of classic American cowboys.
The cowboy boot trend was also seen at Bally, R13, and Undercover.
80s Tennis Shoes
Loewe
After seasons of chunky sneakers, fashion has done a 180. 80s-inspired tennis shoes were all the rage on the spring runways. While a handful of designers stayed true to the chunky sneakers trend, most shifted towards sleeker silhouettes with guaranteed staying power.
Paired with dramatic puff-sleeve dresses and pleated midi skirts, Loewe's minimalist leather sneakers felt incredibly chic. Vintage-feeling sneakers were also seen in crisp white at Celine and maroon suede at Tory Burch. The simple styles were perfect for casual outfits with sneakers any time of year.
Thom Browne
At Thom Browne, minimalist white tennis shoes with updated with a chunky gum sole. The avant-garde designer styled the simple white sneakers with ribbed crew socks and monochrome white outfits.
The label's minimalist footwear choice proved that if there's one shoe worth investing in for 2021, it's a pair of crisp white designer sneakers. You can't go wrong with a classic pair of Nike Air Force 1s or Air Max 90s, Reebok Club C 85s, or Adidas Superstars.
Flip-Flops
Jacquemus
Listen up, early 2000s fashion lovers! Much to the delight of Lizzie McGuire (and everyone here at Zeitgeist HQ), chunky flip-flops have made a major comeback for spring. Yep, flip-flops are one of the biggest casual fashion trends for Spring/Summer 2021.
According to cool-girl brands like Jacquemus and Stella McCartney, early 2000s chunky flip-flops are this summer's It-sandal. Paired with fashion-forward suits and sexy summer dresses, these retro shoes feel totally modern.
The quintessential summer shoe was also spotted at Coperni, David Koma, Kenzo, Roger Vivier, and Tom Ford. Come summer, we're sure to see this trend on It-Girls like Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Emily Ratajkowski.
Acne Studios
90s flip-flop heeled sandals were another major accessory trend from the Spring/Summer 2021 runways. The style was particularly popular at minimalist brands like The Row, where they were worn with oversized tailoring.
At Acne Studios, flip-flops were worn with another one of spring's hottest trends: socks with sandals. The trick to nailing the look? Stick to the sheer socks and tights seen at Longchamp, Rodarte, Simone Rocha, and Sportmax.
Sporty Heels
Miu Miu
Sporty heels are a trend we'll be keeping our eye on over the next few seasons. While the metallic kitten heel sneakers in Miu Miu's spring 2021 collection may not be everyone's cup of tea, they're sure to be a favorite amongst fashion editors and influencers. Expect to see them in every major fashion magazine come March.
Balmain
According to Balmain, sock heels are still in style for 2021. Their spring take on the trend had an athletic feel reminiscent of fashionable tube socks. Though knit sock heels weren't the most widespread shoe trend of the spring season, their occasional appearance proves that sock boots are here to stay at least another year.
Candy-Colored Heels
Versace
After dark times during the pandemic, many designers used their spring collections to express a sense of optimism and hope for the future. In Milan, one of the hardest-hit cities in Italy, Versace's spring fashion show offered a colorful escape to the mythical city of Atlantis.
Creative director, Donatella Versace, described the dramatic collection as having “an upbeat soul.” While Versace's brightly-colored platform heels and chunky flatform sandals aren't the most practical for everyday life during the pandemic, they certainly give us hope for a more fashionable future.
Fendi
While the highlighter neon hues from 2019 have come and gone, vivid pastel shades are here to stay. At Fendi, pastel-colored heels were paired with coordinating socks and feminine lace dresses. The woven raffia heels and ankle boots felt especially spring-friendly in Easter egg shades like bubblegum pink, lemon yellow, and powder blue.
Colorful heels were also seen at Boss, Molly Goddard, Prada, Rick Owens, Stella McCartney, and Valentino in some of spring 2021's biggest color trends.
Woven Raffia Sandals
Altuzarra
2021 collections proved the staying power of espadrille sandals. At Altuzarra, the classic summer shoe got a lift from chunky raffia soles and a surplus of ankle straps. Updated espadrilles, woven raffia, nautical ropes, and handcrafted macramé were also seen at Casadei, Etro, Filippo Fior, Michael Kors, and Tory Burch.
Christian Dior
If Quarantine had you dreaming of a beach vacation, you're not alone. The spring runways were filled with beach-ready raffia sandals, market bags, and maxi dresses. Christian Dior's bohemian frocks and woven raffia sandals reflected the changing fashion landscape. The widespread shift towards work-from-home friendly-clothing ushered in a season of relaxed silhouettes, practical footwear, and comfortable fabrics.
“We had to approach this collection with an idea more of design. We are living in a different way and staying more at home within our intimacy. Our clothes have to reflect this new style of life,” said creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri in an interview with Vogue. "For a long time, there was a moment in fashion when clothes had to have a dialogue with other people, to express your opinion to other people. At this moment in time, I think it’s more about a personal relationship with ourselves. You want to take care of yourself. I feel that, so I think other people need that feeling too.”
Chic Clogs
Hermès
Hate them or love them, clogs are back... Then again, did they ever really leave? Clogs seem to be one of those trends that continually go in and out of style. If this season is any indication, this controversial style is here to stay.
This season's take on the classic boho shoe felt surprisingly modern. “The pandemic has reinforced our values about a responsible approach and a perennial style,” said Hermès creative director, Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski. The house's chunky loafers looked less like clogs and more like mules with clog-inspired details.
Louis Vuitton
Hermès wasn't the only major fashion house to debut clogs in their spring collection. The trend was also seen at Louis Vuitton, which offered a minimalist spin on the footwear trend. The house's 80s-inspired relaxed trousers and oversized outerwear helped to balance out the chunky shoe.
Bally, Batsheva, Mara Hoffman, Molly Goddard, and Stella McCartney also showed the boho style on their spring runways.
Flatforms
Molly Goddard
The higher the flatform, the closer to God— at least according to Coperni, Erdem, Givenchy, Molly Goddard, Tod's, Ulla Johnson, Versace, and more. Expect towering flatform sandals to be everywhere this spring.
Again, the sky-high sandals felt like a baby-step towards real heels. While sky-high pumps may intimidate most customers, chunky flatforms feel a bit more approachable. At Molly Goddard, slipper-like flatform sandals in bold colors were paired with jeans, dresses, and everything in between. This spring, we'll be pairing them with jeans and vintage graphic tees for grocery runs.
Victoria/Tomas
After spending the past year in house shoes, it's little surprise slipper-like slide sandals were another major footwear trend for spring 2021. The chunky flatforms at Victoria/Tomas brought a bit of early 2000s nostalgia to the runway. If this were the 90s, these sky-high rubber and foam soles surely would have caught the eye of the Spice Girls.
The slide sandal trend was also seen at Balenciaga, Boss, Gabriela Hearst, Givenchy, and Rosetta Getty.
Not-So-Boring Ballet Flats
Simone Rocha
Ballet flats earned themselves a bad reputation throughout the 2010s. While ballet flats from seasons past felt dowdy and a bit dated, the updated versions seen this season were anything but boring.
The timeless flats were reimagined with unconventional textiles and chunky soles. At Simone Rocha, pointe shoe-inspired ballet flats were paired with baroque dresses and quirky handbags. Updated ballet flats were also seen in fishnet fabrics at Christian Dior, patchwork brocade at Dolce & Gabbana, Marina Moscone, and luxe leather at Khaite.
In a post-quarantine world, the versatile shoe feels especially practical. “These intelligent, pragmatic women need something they can just throw on and go about their day in,” said New York-based designer Marina Moscone. After months of sneakers and slippers, comfortable shoes are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Tod's
The ballets flats at Tod's spring collection revealed another major trend: heavy soles paired with feminine details. The brand's sneaker-inspired ballet flats featured a thick rubber sole and lace-up ankle straps. Another modern variation at Tod's boasted cow-print pony hair leather and gladiator sandal-style laces. Sturdy soles with delicate details were also seen at Anna Sui, Collina Strada, Jason Wu, Koche, and Simone Rocha.
While edgier brands opted for more unconventional styles, some classic French brands stuck to sleek ballet flats. At Celine, the minimalist style came in a crimson red hue that's sure to be a favorite amongst stylish Parisian women.
Old-School Glam Heels
Erdem
In addition to the sky-high flatform sandals on-trend for Spring 2021, several designers presented 70s-inspired platform heels fit for a night at the disco. At Erdem, ladylike floral dresses felt unexpectedly fresh paired with towering snakeskin heels. Platform shoes were also popular at Paco Rabanne, Tom Ford, Ulla Johnson, and Versace.
Chanel
At Chanel, newly-appointed creative director Virginie Viard looked to Old Hollywood glamour for her third collection for the iconic house. The end result: strappy black pumps and block heel sandals that could have easily have been worn by Grace Kelly or Marilyn Monroe.
On the runway, Chanel's strappy sandals were worn with everything from tweed 80s-inspired suits to feather-trimmed evening wear. But IMHO, they'd both look equally as ~French~ if worn with a simple white tee and Levi's jeans.
What's the biggest footwear trend for Spring/Summer 2021? Pragmatic styles with staying power in our post-pandemic wardrobes.
Runway images c/o Vogue Runway
