Everyone is excited about the arrival of summer, with its warm weather and its burst of new fashions. Sometimes, though, it can be hard to know which fashion trends to put together to create the optimal outfit. Like fine wines, your clothing and shoe fashions should be carefully paired. This listing of new summer styles and the shoes to go with them will help you stroll down the street in style.
Pleated Skirts with Curved Heels
Photo: Roger Vivier Couture
Pleated skirts have been updated beyond their background as a middle school uniform staple, and are taking summer fashion by storm. In knee length or midi versions, they’re feminine and sophisticated like a schoolgirl’s older cousin. For an offic ready style, pair the pleated skirt with a pair of curved heels, this season’s hottest trends in shoes. These gravity-defying creations manage to be perfectly professional while being perfectly on trend. For a less dramatic pairing, wear your pleated skirt with a pair of skate shoes, this season’s answer to comfortable, casual shoes that are still stylish. The combination is a fashionable but unpretentious look that’s perfect for your weekend brunch.
Contrast Collar Button Downs with Oxfords
One of this season’s hottest trends is a new take on the traditional button- down shirt. The workday classic gets a makeover with contrasting collars and cuffs in different colors and/ or textures from the rest of the shirt, and the trend continues with button- down shirt dresses as well. Pair these tops and dresses with shoes that also twist traditional styles: classic Oxfords or brogues with decidedly feminine touches like fun colors, metallic details, and/ or platform soles.
Play up the androgynous look of these menswear- inspired fashions with tailored trousers, or emphasize your femininity with a softly flowing skirt.Wide Leg Pants with Platform Sandals
Photo: platform sandals by Kizzme
Wide- leg pants are another of the summer’s main trends, and contrary to popular belief you don’t need to be a six- foot tall supermodel to pull them off. Variations in the width of the legs can make these pants accessible to women of any height, and the super-in culottes variation is great for shorter women who don’t want to feel that they’re swimming in fabric. Regardless of the pant length you choose, one of the main secrets to wearing wide- leg pants is to pair them with platforms that lengthen and accentuate the lines of your legs. A good pair of platform sandals with fabric uppers is perfect for warm days. By creating the illusion of a little extra height with platform shoes, you’re basically making yourself look like an instant supermodel!
Cropped Jackets with Mules
Photo: Whipped Cream heels by Safa Şahin
Boxy, cropped jackets are appearing all over the runway this spring. A perfect variation on the season’s favorite crop top for those who like the line without wanting to bare their middles, cropped jackets pair beautifully with your office ready skirts and tailored trousers. They’re also brilliant with body-skimming dresses for your weekend date. Pair this fashionable silhouette with a set of updated mules in this season’s pastels for a sleek style that will keep you looking effortlessly chic.
Pop Art Patterns with Mary Janes
The debate about whether fashion is an art might rage on, but one thing that’s certain is that pop art is a big inspiration for this season’s styles. With graphic designs straight from vintage DC comics appearing on dresses and skirts and Warhol inspired palettes and patterns pretty much everywhere, the influence of pop art on every element of clothing is strong. Pair the bold colors and patterns on your clothes with classic, solid color Mary Jane shoes for a contrast that takes the best retro fashion and places it squarely in the modern day.
With this guide to pairing clothing and shoe trends, you’ll have no trouble creating head-to-toe outfits that are definite fashion wins!
About the Author: Laura Carlton is a fashion writer who does internet outreach for DNA Footwear. She owns far too many pairs of shoes.
Cover photo: Emma Watson in J Mendel
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