Step On It!

1. GO GLADIATORS

Laced high up the calf with that distinctive criss-cross, gladiator sandals are back in vogue this season, whether you prefer them plain or jazzed up with details worthy of a night on the town. Giambattista Valli’s 2016 spring/summer collection featured perhaps the most unique spin on this trend with the Glitter Platform Gladiator ($1,085), while other versions include Ancient Greek’s Alethea ($410) in natural, black or cotto, a brick-brown color. This is one shoe sure to trickle down from the designers to more affordable versions, as it was seen nearly everywhere during the shows.

2. FINDING FLATFORMS

It’s a flat — but it’s elevated. It’s a platform shoe — but there really isn’t a heel because your foot stays on much the same level throughout. It’s somewhere in the middle and, for spring 2016, they’re calling it a flatform, whether it’s from Michael Kors, who showed off his suede Sophia version ($150) on the runways; Gucci, who added bright colors and a metallic sole ($850) or Rag & Bone, whose black flatforms ($ TBA) mix in a sporty side, as well as influence from gladiator shoes via their wide, thick laces.

3. HIGH-FASHION HUARACHES

The classic Mexican shoe goes high fashion this spring and summer with an eclectic variety of treatments from an equally diverse range of designers. Salvatore Ferragamo’s take on this shoe ($ TBA) mixes and matches several trends with its bright colors across the toe, a shimmery heel and a short black lace around the ankle, while Asos Jacobelle’s leather huarache summer shoe ($43) mixes up metallic weaving on a flat sole. And Soludos offers a Spanish-inspired take on the shoe with their ankle-strap leather huarache ($159), which also nods to the flatform trend with its woven sole.

4. WEAR THE RAINBOW

Over-the-top, festooned with ribbons and pom-poms, dangling tassels and braided sections, spring’s Rainbow sandals were seen at a plethora of runways and across the spring fashion websites, from Dolce and Gabbana’s controversial Slave sandal to independent designers like Elina Linardaki, who layers those poms on heavy and adds several dangling charms ($225 for Linardaki’s PomPom Sandal.) Chloe takes the rainbow to the Caribbean with their version of this trend, the Jamaica Knotted Wedge Sandal ($865), an open-backed wedge with stripes and a knot over the top of the foot.

5. GUY POWER

For you gentlemen who enjoy your toes out in the open air, but aren’t comfortable with flip-flops, you’re going to appreciate this spring’s sandal selections for men. Valentino’s range of patterned men’s sandals ($ TBA) fall close to the women’s huarache trend, while Bottega Veneta’s thick Calf Sandals, with trendy contrasting stitching ($580), offer a more masculine take on similar styles. Outdoorsy types will appreciate the rugged Cargo Sandal by Rick Owens ($735), with a tough rubber sole, a leather/ fabric upper and a pouch to store your necessities.

View On Our Website