U.S. Market Focuses On Comfort For Next Spring

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Flexus by Spring Step / Propet / All Black / L'Artiste

Spring/Summer 2017 footwear collections got a head start in August at trade fairs in New York (FFANY), Platform in Las Vegas and at the Atlanta Shoe Market. The word is out: comfort remains a major focus in the United States. However, there were plenty of collections at all price points that had injected a lot of fashion pizzazz in tune with incoming fashion trends. Here are some highlights.

 

1. Kork Ease 2. All Black

Au Natural: Easy up-front neutral or black slides on chunky blond wooden stacked or rope covered heels got even more extra height with platforms. This silhouette will probably move into the No.1 spot.
 

3. Born 4. Brenda Zaro

Denim Friendly: Denim fashions have staying power, not only in basic jeans wear but denim in all shades and washes are crossing over into shirt dressing, tailored suits and jackets. Shoes tap into the blue mood with artisan whip stitch treatments and colourful rope espadrille bottoms. Denim blue nubuck is a favourite material in anything from fisherman t-strap sandals to feminine slip-on flats.
 

5. Hush Puppies 6. ONO

Nice ‘n Easy: Sometimes less is more! Simple slides or banded uppers on extreme comfort bottoms make a fashion statement in soft pink and yellow suede. Newest is the return of the ”California construction” allowing the sole to be flexed completely, the ultimate comfort feature!
 

7. Azura 8. Impo

New Kids on the Block: Low to mid-high block heels are the new fashion direction for dress shoes and sandals without sacrificing walking comfort. Add to that colour blocked patent leather or a fun floral print, and now comfortable shoes have truly moved into the fashion zone.
 

9. Liliana 10. Mari A

Pom Pom Girls: We have seen woolly pom poms on shoes and bags for a while in the fashion capitals of the world. Now they have arrived in the U.S. full force and are expected to replace fringe for that all-important ethnic/hand-crafted summer look.
 

11. All Black 12. Mari A

Mesh Sandals: Mesh and neoprene have almost become staples in casual footwear designs. Newest are sling backs and two-piece sandals on sneaker bottoms. Gold mesh adds casual glamour.
 

13. Mari A 14. Impo

Fancy Stretch: Stretch means comfort and fit and has invaded the dress shoe arena. Skinny confetti coloured tubular stretch band uppers on a wedge sandal or matching criss cross red bands on a high heel sandal add comfort and easy fit to dress shoes.
 

15. Azura 16. Destroy

High & Mighty: High wedge sandals can go into different directions: colour blocked in patent leather for a more tailored mood or more summer casual with a rope covered bottom.
 

17. L'Artiste 18. Rovers

Granny is Coming: Ghillies and lace-up booties are coming….probably they will arrive for fall/winter 2017/18. We spotted some opened up summer forerunners.