Trends

Lug sole shoes for fall 2014

 in General Fashion / Shoes / Trends  tagged casual fashion / casual style / fall 2014 by

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Pictured: MM6 Maison Martin Margiela; can be found here and here.

Lug soles are back. I never thought I would utter those words; I have! The lug sole was huge in the late 1980’s through to the early 1990’s. At that time, you never wanted a platform; only a lug sole. Lug soles were mainly found on loafers and boots, but would occasionally pop up on high heels and sandals.

In 2009, Prada showed the lug sole on a pair of high heeled, runway loafer pumps. Although a few designers caught on to the possible emerging trend, the lug sole remained quietly in the background, unable to revive, until 2014. Cue in the lug sole!

Although associated with the falling grunge trend, lug soles were actually a precursor to the grunge trend in the early 1990’s. They were considered “over” by the time the Seattle Sound hit the airwaves and teenagers smelled like teen spirit while wearing flannel shirts around the globe. The only lug soles left in style by the time grunge became popular, aside from Doc Martins, were in the form of hiking boots; which was a big casual trend in the early to mid-1990’s. 

For fall 2014, designers have gone head over heels for the lug sole. Lug soles are being found on every type of shoe imaginable including loafers, pumps, high heels, sandals, boots, and any type of shoe imaginable. The fabulous thing about the lug sole is that it adds height, like a platform shoe would, but it gets through the “platforms are out” loophole by simply being a lug sole. Love that!

Lug soles are also handy when it is raining or snowing outside. The lug sole is utilitarian and hugs the ground, allowing you to walk without slipping and falling. Under normal circumstances, one would have to wear boring snow boots or rain boots in order to enjoy the practicality of the lug sole in rain or snow. Thankfully, the lug sole has come out from under work boots, and weather shoes, in order to be a fashionable and practical look/answer to the fall season; and bad weather! Love it!

Now, if only California would get some REALLY bad weather in order to combat this terrible drought we are having; and also, so we can wear our lug soled shoes and enjoy not slipping!

What do you think of the lug sole trend for fall 2014, and into 2015? Will you wear it?

Lug soled shoes for fall 2014:

T-Strap shoes for fall 2014

 in General Fashion / Shoes / Trends  tagged fall 2014 / high heels / runway trends / winter 2015 by

T-Strap shoes are classic; but they also happen to be hot for the fall 2014 season. Designers such as Giorgio Armani and Gucci all sent t-strap heels down their runways for the fall/winter 2014/2015 season. The t-strap shoes shown on the runways offered classic lines, clean styling and modern touches. The modern touches shown on the runway included bi-color options, calf hair and thin heels.

Although traditional t-strap shoes are usually shown in solid colors, both the solid color and bi-color t-strap shoe are very “of-the-moment” for the fall 2014 season. The majority of the bi-color t-strap shoes for fall 2014 are being shown with contrasting neutrals, metallic hues or mixed with animal prints.

I absolutely adore t-strap shoes and have a few pairs stashed in my closet; key word is “stashed.” Although I love my t-strap shoes, I do not find myself reaching for them very often. This is definitely a shoe style I need to reach inside my closet for and start wearing for the fall season! What do you think of t-strap shoes for fall? 

I found a few fabulous t-strap shoes around the web and assembled them into the shopping widget below, I hope you love them! I am eyeing a few pairs of the t-strap shoes shown below myself!  Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

Cropped trousers for fall 2014

 in General Fashion / Trends  tagged fall 2014 / office attire / runway trends / street style trends by

cropped trousers pants fall 2014

2014 cropped pants an trousers pictured from left: Black Cropped Trousers / Grey Cropped Trousers / Black Cropped Pants

Cropped trousers and pants are a huge trend for the fall 2014 season. Also known as the 7/8 pant, the cropped trouser is the hottest office-appropriate trend to go from the runways to the streets. Cropped trousers also happen to be a fabulous alternative to classic, conservative trousers.

The cropped trouser, can be worn to the office, or spiced up with a moto jacket for more casual occasions. The cropped trouser for fall 2014 can also be worn with sweaters for a cozy look. When it comes to shoes, cropped trousers look very “of-the-moment” with open toe booties. When wearing booties with cropped trousers for fall 2014, look for booties which hit right below, or at the ankle bone. If the bootie goes too high, it will interfere with the placement of the cropped hemline and create a cluttered look below the knee; no-one wants a cluttered look below the knee!

Cropped trousers also look amazing with pointed toe pumps for a dressier, feminine touch. If you are going for the fall 2014 menswear trend, pair cropped trousers with a menswear inspired loafer, penny loafer, oxford or slip-on. The smoking slipper is “oh so last year,” so make sure your flat shoes for fall 2014 are more of a loafer than slipper. 

If you are interested in adding an edgy look to cropped trousers for the fall 2014 season, try the emerging lug sole trend. Once popular in the early 1990’s, and brought back to life on the runway by Prada in 2009, the lug sole is arguably the hottest emerging trend in footwear. Look for lug sole loafers this season as well as booties, boots and pumps. A pair of lug sole loafers or pumps will add a little bit of sass to your work trousers and will also help you grip the sidewalk on icy or snowy days. Love that! Function meets fashion 😉

When shopping for the cropped trouser this fall 2014, look for classic neutrals such as grey or black. This will allow you to pair almost anything with your cropped pants and will also make them ideal for an office environment. I found a few amazing pair of cropped trousers around the web and assembled them into the shopping widget below. I am eyeing a couple pairs from this widget myself 😉 Happy shopping, and stay fabulous.