Women’s fashion footwear brands revealed the first round of their Fall ’18 collections at FFANY last week. The result is a mixed bag of something old and something new as brands play off the success of current best-sellers. Here’s a look at what to expect as you plan your Fall ’18 buys.
White Hot
White for fall and winter allows brands to play up the modernity of new women’s footwear silhouettes. The absence of color magnifies smooth leathers, asymmetrical toplines and the luster of stretch fabrications. The trend steps away from Mod-inspired fashion with natural elements like wood heels.
All Black
Bernardo
Lifestride
Pearl Jam
The pearl embellishment trend that began to take shape for Spring ’18—and is already infiltrating the shoe floors of department stores and fast fashion retailers like Zara—continues to dress up casual silhouettes. For Fall ’18, look for updates that play with proportion. Pearls are either tiny and sparse, or large and multiple. The baubles complement other ongoing trends for fall, like denim and velvet footwear.
French Sole New York
Soma
Lifestride
Fur Ever
The days when fur-lined loafers were a fashion anomaly are long gone. Slides and loafers with fur, faux fur and exposed shearling can be found across categories, price points and demographics for Fall ’18. And brands are taking a fearless approach to the trend, using teddy bear-like textures and bold colors for uppers and footbeds.
Birkenstock
French Sole New York
BC Footwear
Gucci Main
It’s Gucci’s world and we’re all living in it. The luxury brand’s influence over footwear carries on with aviary and floral appliques and jewel-tone brocade fabrics. Gucci-inspired loafers are still a dominant style for Fall ’18, but the decadent trend looks new on feminine silhouettes like platform sandals and two-piece block heels.
Seychelles
Soma
Lifestride
Last Step
The block heel becomes a canvas for women’s fashion footwear designers. The popular heel shape evolves for Fall ’18 with sculptural elements taking center stage. Designs can be as elaborate as Baroque-inspired reliefs or modern with minimalistic material mixing. Other brands take a festive approach decorating heels with multi-colored stitching.
All Black
Butter
Seychelles