While we may technically be *whispers it* out of lockdown at long last, it’s going to take a little bit more than the reopening of clubs to tempt us back into our most uncomfortable stilettos.
Luckily for those of us who’ve spent the best part of the last eighteen months wearing nothing but our favourite slippers – or bare feet during this heatwave, it goes without saying – summer 2021 saw us coming and conveniently prioritised comfort above all else when curating its key footwear trends. That’s right, there’s not a stiletto in sight.
We’ll let you take that big sigh of relief before we get to the nitty gritty…
*This* is the perfect summer dress for you, according to your star sign
So now that we’re all slightly less intimidated by the prospect of putting on a pair of *actual* shoes again, what can we expect to be tempted by this season?
Unsurprisingly the SS21 runways were rife with sandals aplenty, but there were three styles in particular that reigned supreme and emerged as undeniable trends.
The padded flip flop – which was spotted on the catwalk at Acne Studios, Kenzo, Jacquemus, Stella McCartney and Coperni – is one of team GLAMOUR’s favourites, providing a softer, squishier take on last summer’s staple shoe.
The platform was the second sandal trend to emerge from the shows, with Gabriela Hearst, Ulla Johnson, Erdem, Simone Rocha, Versace, Molly Goddard and Altuzarra all championing the eighties-inspired look.
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An elevated twist on the dad sandal was the third footwear trend that fashion editors and buyers alike fell for, thanks to the likes of Jason Wu and Anna Sui who gave the stompy staple a feminine makeover via printed fabrics and bold embellishment.
12 epic summer fashion trends to swap your trusty loungewear for this season
For those who prefer to shop within the closed-toe arena, the house slipper is undoubtedly the most comfortable, isolation-inspired style taking over the footwear world, while classic ballet pumps have joined the seventies-favourite clog in a return to the fashion forefront.
Tempted to up your footwear game this season? Scroll down for our pick of the best pairs, broken down by trend, to shop right now.
For more from Glamour UK’s Fashion Editor Charlie Teather, follow her on Instagram @charlieteather
