Fall/ Winter 2019-2020 Shoe Trends
Get rid of those sandals and hide your sneakers, because the fall/ winter 2019-2020 shoe trends are here! The fall 2019 runway shoes and boots have been a refreshing change – the shoe trends are moving away from ridiculous unpractical footwear to items that are as comfortable as can be but with some unique elements that justify the high fashion prices.
In practice, we can see a slight shift away from skinny stilettos and a distinct preference to blockier heels. We also saw a lot more flat footwear options this season, along with platforms and thick rubber soles. Despite this, sneakers have been less common than in previous seasons – designers found a different way to show off their active side.
#1. Platform Heels
There is no better shoe to pair with your flared jeans and long, fur-lined coat than a pair of platform heels. It’s the only way to truly complete the ‘70s-inspired ensemble that is so chic for fall and winter. It’s exactly because of the ‘70s vibe we saw on the runways that the fall 2019 shoe trends include platform heels.Snakeskin platform sandals at Michael Kors worked well with the overall ‘70s look of the collection, and were also a chance to showcase one of the fall 2019 print trends. For a snakeskin boot option with a serious platform, we spotted a red pair at Longchamp. Rubber shoes with thick platform soles at Dries Van Noten had a retro-futurist effect that we absolutely adored combined with the dark romantic collection.
For an all-vegetarian on-trend option check out the platform heeled boots at Stella McCartney. They come in a variety of colors from blue to hazel to black, with a textured rubber platform.
#2. Punk Platforms
While heel platforms were steeped in ‘70s vibes, flat platforms gave us a punk rock feel that hearkened back to the ‘80s and ‘90s, and that we liked just as much. The platform Doc Martens at R13 were as ‘90s punk as can be, even when they were decorated with more feminine elements like the seasonal favorite, floral print. They worked well with the overall grunge look of the collection.British punk was the inspiration at the Alexander McQueen show, but with a modern twist. Models wore big, shiny black punk boots with thick platform rubber soles appropriate for an active lifestyle. Punk boots were surprisingly just as hardcore at Prada, where the soles had extra tread and in some cases were even outfitted with some pockets.
At Gabriela Hearst, thick platforms were made in a brown color, to give earthy contrast to the heavy punk boots showcased.
#3. Rain Boots
A pair of chic rain boots is a must if you live in a damp climate, so as far as the fall/ winter 2019 shoe trends are concerned, they make perfect sense. For the true brand slave, Balenciaga rain boots are a must. Made of black leather, they’re as classic as it gets, but the added value comes from golden Balenciaga logo hardware right above the vamp.Acne Studios presented rain boots-cum-waders in brown, gray, or blue, to suit any proclivity. These high boots are perfect for arduously rainy weather, and are a great way to give a casual vibe to a more dressed-up look. We also saw traditionally shaped rain boots at Stella McCartney and Christian Dior.
#4. The New Rubber Sole
We’ve mentioned rubber soles quite a bit when talking about all the fall 2019 shoes with platforms, for example when talking about the rubber-soled punk boots at Alexander McQueen. However, it wasn’t always a platform design that made rubber soles stand out on the runways. Instead, it was the way they gave a sporty or utilitarian feel to shoes and boots with a totally different style.For example, a thin but sporty rubber sole on boots at Marine Serre was part of an overall avant-garde look where the boot shafts were fairly tight against the leg and seemed to go all the way up. More standard were thick rubber soles on hiking boots at Miu Miu, which did not seem even a little out of place, while a pair of Mary Janes with a thick rubber sole was extremely unique.
Both at Tibi and Burberry, boots slightly reminiscent of classic Blundstones were outfitted with a textured rubber sole that reminded us of running shoes, interestingly combining the outdoorsy design with a sporty-urban element. We also saw interesting uses of rubber soles at Louis Vuitton, J.W. Anderson, and Ralph Lauren.
#5. Victorian Lace-Ups
A spot of lace running up the front of a boot is rarely a practical need these days, but it was a lovely aesthetic addition to the fall 2019 boots. It makes any pair of boots, no matter how wildly designed, just a little bit classier.
Take for instance the extra high boots at Dion Lee. They looked like white superhero (or go-go girl) boots, but made a little more special with the addition of lace that ran from the foot to just below the knee.
At Brock Collection, shorter boots in tweed were further complemented by thin white lace, which also worked well with the ultra-skinny heel. For a real combination of trends, there was a pair of black wedge boots at Ann Demeulemeester. The boots had a zipper on the front, flanked by a row of laces on each side.
#6. Mary Janes
Mary Jane fall 2019 shoes are no child’s play. These grown-up Mary Janes have a hint of whimsy, but they’re as mature as can be, whether made for street style or evening wear.
The fall 2019 shoes at Anna Sui were nearly all Mary Janes! Printed and colorful, both flats and heels, with all manner of embellishments or maybe covered in glitter… needless to say, if you have a taste for this girlish show style, then Anna Sui had something to offer.
Hermés is a fashion house known for making wearable classics, and their Mary Jane pumps certainly qualify. They are elegant pumps with an extremely flattering shape and a comfy block heel, with a thin black strap across the instep.
#7. Calf-Hugging Boots
One of the stand-out fall 2019 shoe trends is a new take on the shaft of the boot. This year, shoe designers have chosen to make boot shafts (i.e. the part that goes over the calf) out of stretchy materials, so they can hug the calves tightly. It leads to a unique silhouette, although not necessarily a comfortable one.
At 3.1 Phillip Lim, we saw one of the simple interpretations of this style – black boots that reached mid-calf, with an elegant pointed toe, and a calf-hugging effect at the shaft. The same technique was utilized at Stella McCartney for the gorgeous platform boots, but it was particularly dramatic since those boots were almost all knee-highs.
At Hugo Boss, we saw an ultra-sleek take on the calf-hugging, knee-high shaft in deep red leather. Lastly, there were the boots-cum-stockings at Nanushka. These were knee-high boots made entirely of a stretchy purple material, which lent them the appearance of knee-high socks or stockings.
