Deichmann Shoe Trends Spring/Summer 2014: when comfort meets fashion

Fashion in spring and summer 2014 is defined by incredible relaxation. What was substantial becomes light, is hardly ever eccentric, has clear lines and combines comfort with style. And so comfort and suitability for everyday wear are also the hallmarks of this season’s shoe fashions.

Alongside many other favourites, the sneaker stays as popular as ever.Sometimes it’s strikingly coloured or features eccentric artistic prints and graphic designs. At other times, it’s dazzlingly white, looking sportily cool and elegant. Alongside fashionable white, however, shades such as cream, ivory and champagne have a vital role to play, in addition to beige, nude and various shades of grey.

Shiny

Silver, gold, copper and the metallic shades associated with them also have a firm place in the colour palette. Matt shimmering metallic looks are popular for lightweight summer boots, pumps, sandalettes and thong sandals. If it’s not metallic all-over, then the look appears in the form of appliqués, glitter and stud trims, decorated buckles or playful leather strips, braided straps and chain cuffs. There’s plenty of room for shimmering finishes and decorations on this season’s essential must-haves: summer boots.

More transparency please

Cut-out designs, laser looks and subtle perforations are ideal for the warmer months. They’re featured on every type of shoe, skilfully allowing a glimpse of naked skin all the time.

Ankle-high pumps and ankle boots have trendy openings on both sides, held together by one or more straps. Cut-out bootees with an open toe are particularly sexy. Even on colder days, cut-outs are a great option; even with little coloured socks, they skilfully direct the eye to the feet.

A wide range of heel heights

The flights of fancy of last summer are gradually flattening out and the trend is moving clearly downward: heels are getting flatter. Kitten heels, flat wedges or sporty serrated soles go perfectly with summery sandalettes, thong sandals and flats.

The wide, comfortable block heels of the 1970s are making a comeback, offering more stability for sandalettes and slingbacks and guaranteeing utter selfconfidence.

Asian-inspired briquette platforms, which are equally high at the front and back, are new. Their motto is “easy elegance”. These heels are generally super-light, made from cork, rubber or coated foam. High platforms are also firmly based and go perfectly with summery outfits.

Ankle straps for delicate feminine ankles

The sheer variety of ankle straps means that there’s a style for everyone. They’re woven, cut out, trimmed with studs and buckled. Appliqués and metal strips, large buckles, wide bands, fringes, single and double straps enclose the ankle. And they do it on thong sandals, flats and ballerinas – and sometimes even pumps.

As far as shapes go, the pointed toe is gaining ground with flat shoes in particular, such as ballerinas, loafers and androgynous lace-ups, and replacing the round toes of the autumn/winter season. The straight lines are still trimmed on the caps and heels with studs or decorative elements – although these are much more restrained. Ankle straps are en vogue for ballerinas too.

Casual masculine styles

In men’s shoes, the casual look has a major part to play. Flat sneaker styles and mid-cut models look fashionable and relaxed. They are brighter in colour, with contrasting stripes that attract the eye.

As a follow-on to last summer, light boots in soft fabrics and canvas materials remain topical and casual. In terms of colour, the palette ranges between marine blue and light grey through to dark brown.

Special favourites this season include lightweight suede shoes in spring colours such as green, blue, red and mint. What they all have in common is the essential white sole, which creates a deliberately striking contrast.

Elegant lace-ups in brown and black increasingly feature pointed toes. For business wear too, colour has carved out a niche. Suede lace-ups in dark red and various shades of blue stand self-confidently alongside their classic counterparts.

For the summer, thong sandals and crossover sandals are still on-trend.

Kid’s Corner

Studs, metallics and stars – these three themes from women’s shoe fashions are also transferred this season to the girls’ models. Strong colours and cheerful appliqués of every type are featured. White soles, sneaker styles and ballerinas with and without straps also have a major part to play.

Boys’ styles are dominated by casual canvas and sneaker styles in various shapes. In terms of colour, they – like their fathers – are growing braver and enjoy brilliantly fresh greens and blues, with neon yellow accents here and there.

Bag must-haves

Young, bright, practical are the hallmarks of bag fashions in spring/summer 2014. Large bags in particular are gaining ground. Ethnic prints, material mixes and black and white contrasts are favourite themes for elegant metal frame bags, large shoppers and smaller handbags. A touch of rock-star attitude and luxury is added by stud appliqués and sequins along with gold details such as chains, fastenings or trims. Surfaces are sometimes embossed and perforated. The palette of bags is rounded off in summery style by large leisure bags made from lightweight fabrics or raffia.