Autumn/winter 2016-2017: new trends for footwear

The catwalks have hosted the forthcoming autumn/winter collections. Here are the trends that we will find in the stores in a few months’ time

On the catwalks, from New York to London, and at the industry trade shows, in Milan and Paris, have emerged the main trends in footwear that will accompany us next season. Schmid’s style and research department has analysed and identified four trends.

The classy “no gender”

Credits: Nico Panda, Phillip Lim

In some collections the boundary between men and women is increasingly blurred. On the catwalks there were models, with laced sneakers and pointy boots, that reminded us of the Far West, while oxford and derby shoes as well as male loafers are fitted with wedge heels and lofty flatforms. The fabrics used are top-notch: traditional velvets and innovative stretch fabrics with prints and colour gradients. The other key features are felts and cloths in wool gauze or items with contrasting needlepunched decorations.

Rallying cry: stretch

Credits: Vfiles, Opening ceremony

There are many propositions with stretch fabrics, especially in women’s footwear. One example, wrap boots with sporty and fashion features. In this case, the main fabrics are lycra and jersey, stemming from the world of high-tech lingerie, enhanced with decorations and points of light such as lurex. The desire to have stretchable material extends to casual and natural fabrics such as denim and jacquard cottons.

Glitter and sequin for evening events

Credits: Delpozo, Charlotte Olympia

Glitter continues to be trendy and is used as an eclectic material for different types of items, from ballerinas to mules with sculpture heels to the high-heel decolleté for worldly occasions.

Points of light enrich not only classical fabrics, but also finishings such as prints, laminations and other features as well as sequin decorations with a 70s “disco” flavour.

A collector’s PVC

Credits: Dkny, Hood by air, Jeremy Scott

The use of rubberized and siliconized materials is increasingly frequent in many collections. Designers play with the colours, patterns and transparency of the materials and seek to reinterpret the plastic world of PVC and polyurethane in a pop and assertive mode. That is how an ankle boot with a stiletto heel decorated with cartoon strips has become a cult object. Without forgetting the rain boot, now a glamorous example of comfortable winter footwear, and the world of sports shoes, where transparent and iridescent PVCs are combined with leather.