From metallic heels to comfortable clogs – The Irish Times

The big turning point of spring is approaching. The start of a new season is upon us, and the warm weather means we can swap out chunky layers and boots for lighter clothing and ankle-baring styles.

Spring footwear trends are all about the battle between ballet flats and slingbacks, with these two styles dominating the catwalks and high streets. The designer is all about Mary Jane, metallic, embellished, red and color pop sneakers.

Ballet flats are a classic style that have been in the fashion spotlight for several seasons. A fresh take on the flat silhouette, which tends to be biased towards a youthful and cute image. Bold colors, studs, and straps give your sweet style the edge it needs to keep it from being too sweet. Loewe taught us how to embrace embellished style by pairing sparkling ballet flats with wide-legged denim. Meanwhile, Simone Rocha, Tove and Molly Goddard embraced the glamorous nature of the apartment and combined it with fluffy, bubbly pieces.

While Alaïa and The Row were originally responsible for creating viral ballet flat moments with mesh fabrics and embellishments, the high street is leaning into sheer, net, cutouts and crystal ballet flats this season.

Introducing a chic yet comfortable slingback. Simple but effortless. Choose from flat or kitten heel styles and wear them with a sophisticated accent on everything from tailored trousers to denim, midi skirts to boiler suits. Designers employed shortened, heelless slingbacks on the runways of Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Prada.

No matter the silhouette or style, there's one hero shade that rules spring footwear: red. From Mary Janes to loafers, ballet flats, and strappy sandals, you'll find iterations of fierce tones. And we're definitely looking forward to the fall, with the latest fashion month featuring plenty of dark cherry and scarlet shoes. Denim, which graces everything from spring trenches to handbags, has now made its way to footwear.

Satin, floral embellishments and metallics are the gateway to spring, bringing a whimsical and feminine vibe, perfect for weddings and events. If you've ever wondered which shoes to wear, a versatile spring wardrobe winner will always be metallic heels, especially when it comes to occasion wear. It's more interesting than nude, goes with any outfit and shade, and is also a designer spring favorite. Simone Rocha, Alexander McQueen and Gucci all showed variations on the shiny shoe.

Luxurious satin can elevate simple footwear and give it a dressy feel, but you can always contrast satin shoes with crisp denim to ensure maximum comfort. Satin shoes are more delicate than suede or leather, making them the perfect addition to any occasion ensemble. Be sure to use a protective spray. Ribbons, buckles and 3D florals bring a fun element to this season's footwear. Erdem and Valentino showed off oversized fabric ribbons that covered the floor, but if you want a more wearable version, keep an eye out for Irish designer Nicky Hoyne's bright pink style. Floral appliqués and embellishments were seen at Balmain, and his strappy sandals embellished with 3D flowers brought the drama.

For those looking for more practicality and comfort, get back down to earth with chunky sandals, flip-flops, loafers, and those love-it-or-hate-it clogs. You'll still be on trend, too, as flip-flops have become high fashion, with Chanel styling her ensembles with thong sandals and tweed. Meanwhile, Irish designers Simone Rocha and JW Anderson have adopted the house shoe cum clog. JW Anderson's slip-on style was paired with everything from classy trench dresses to cargo pants. Rocha debuted her Crocs shoes collaboration with her brand, showcasing decorative and practical designs using tulle, voluminous dresses, and oversized tailoring. On the high street, ZARA partnered with Her Clarks to recreate the footwear retailer's iconic styles, including Desert Her boots and chunky crepe Her sole mules and loafers.