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: