Shoe fashion trends for autumn/winter 2012/13

Natural Glamour

The image conveyed by this autumn and winter’s fashions is one of variety. Soft, snug and cosy on the one hand, with knitwear, tweed and fur combined with casual, loosely swinging tailoring. And on the other hand, the looks are livened up by glamorous snakeskin, glitter and colour. Material and style mixes are very popular. Consistency is boring. And what accessory is best for “breaking up” an outfit? Shoes, of course. . .

Rustic in Autumnal Colours – With a Touch of Ethnic Elegance

Mountaineering styles, fur boots and lace-up ankle boots – this category is all about a sturdy and rustic look. Robust soles, outdoor elements like eyelets and trimming as well as material combinations of suede, nubuck and smooth leather are the perfect match for silky bow tie blouses and fur waistcoats. Wedges clearly dominate the heel shape and give the alpine models a hip touch. Contrasts are formed with coloured suede, bright laces and plateaus with multi-coloured sole inlays. Subtle Western ankle boots are being given a new twist in bright autumnal colours like Bordeaux, blue, rust and sage.

British Seventies Glam

Plateau heels are still the stars of the feminine retro look. The perfect match for flared trousers and floor-length coats with head-turning fur collars are quite simply sexy plateaus and block-like heels. The latter can also be sculptural and slightly curved; the toes are slightly raised. Gathering and pleats provide additional structure.

Trendsetters are focusing on loafers with a modern interpretation as well as Chelsea boots, college boots and loafer pumps. Suede dominates the overall look here; however, it is the glamorous styles like snakeskin, patent leather and all-over glitter that are the real head-turners of this season.

Clean Silhouette

To counterbalance the material and style mix, sleek but roomy silhouettes are establishing themselves in the form of high-heeled ankle boots with raised toes and concealed plateau, as well as wedge heels. High-front models with different heel heights also underline the clean, urban look. Zippers, elastic inserts and leopard prints here and there break up the severity of the silhouettes. Suede is once again the material ‘du jour’.

Long Cut

This season long-shaft boots don’t have it easy against their shorter, fashionably dominant sisters. But with soft fur turn-down tops, cool buckles and coloured snakeskin prints they can still win us over. As always, the classics in cognac, which we will be seeing more of this autumn and winter, convey pure sophistication.

Bags: From Elegant to Functional

The bags for the autumn/winter season 2012/2013 also exude a rough and ready elegance. From the small bags with handles to the shoppers, different sizes are available for all requirements. Shiny looks sometimes play a role; although the surfaces are also often jazzed up with material mixes and crocodile and snakeskin patterns. Decorative features like tassels, floral appliqués and bows add that certain something. As well as classic black and the essential brown tones, taupe, petrol, turquoise, purple, pink, orange and beige are on trend. Long straps look cool and casual.

Elegance is the hallmark of the bags with short stirrup handles. The kaleidoscope of bag models is rounded off by young, sporty crossover styles.

Small glittery handbags will be making an appearance in the evening and at festive occasions.

Men’s Style

Three shoe looks are prevalent when it comes to the men’s footwear fashions: Brit chic models, mountaineering styles and a casual sneaker variety. Absolute must-haves are Chelsea boots and ankle-length lace-ups – in suede preferably in taupe or blue tones, or classic in smooth leather, in brown and black. The alpine models impress with their rustic leather in brown variations and light soles. In terms of sneakers, retro-look leather mid-cut boots in understated colour schemes are still proving very popular.

Mini Look

Alpine style, fur and, above all, patent leather are the looks that can be wonderfully applied to the girls’ models. Eyelets, turn-down tops and shiny patent leather are thereby increasingly setting accents in the smaller sizes too. Not to mention the glitter trend, which every little girl is sure to adore.

As always, the boys’ look is a lot more understated. But here fashionable mountain climber styles with rustic fur elements are also catching on. Mid-cut sneakers and Velcro models will remain just as much on trend as the preference for material mixes.