Fall in Love With Footwear this Fall
Written by Mia Marrari
As you look down, you notice beautiful fall leaves collecting in piles along the sidewalk in a vast array of colors like red, orange and yellow. The vibrancy of the warm colors captures your attention, but out of the corner of your eye you catch a glimpse of something even more entrancing: a passerby’s trendy shoes. The shoes give off the fall aesthetic more than the leaves do. All of a sudden, you find yourself wanting to cozy up—not next to the fire, but with a pair of Mary Jane ballet flats.
Undoubtedly, shoes are one of the most vital additions to an outfit, offering comfort and style to the day-to-day. Shoes change with not only trends, but the different seasons. Fall is a season with a wide range of shoes to sport, whether you’re at the pumpkin patch, walking to class, or pretending to be Rory Gilmore studying in a coffee shop (yes, studying needs to be romanticized at this point). One classic, timeless fall shoe staple is the knee-high boot. These boots, common in neutral, tan, or black tones this season along with chunky heels, are extremely versatile and can act as a statement piece, dressing up a simple outfit. Cable-knit knee-high socks can be worn underneath these boots. Paired along with a mini skirt and oversized sweater, knee -high boots are the staple you need to add to your wardrobe this fall so you can take the cutest pumpkin patch pictures!
Now, what if you want to freshen up your sneaker selections? Sporty retro sneakers have you covered and will make you the chicest girl running up Bascom Hill. These cool kicks range from popular brands like Adidas, to designer brands like Miu Miu and Stella McCartney. They add a spark of metallic or colorblocked fun to the otherwise neutral tones of fall. Nostalgic sneakers like these emphasize a laid-back style that is simple, stylish, and effortless.
Ballet flats, elegant and sophisticated in nature, are a fall essential, whether they are paired with a pair of low-rise baggy jeans and a tee or with a mini skirt or dress for work. These shoes never fail to go out of style, remaining a classy and delicate option for many occasions. Trending fall flats feature hybrid strap details, buckles, embellishments, and metal studs. They come in various different materials from leather, to mesh, to suede. Honestly, it would be difficult to find an outfit you couldn’t pair the classic ballet flats with. The modern edge flats bring a moody yet poised sense of style to the streets.
We all need a comfort shoe, and thus we turn our faces towards mules and clogs. These cozy shoes are extremely versatile, and they can be worn for an indoor lounge session or for a grocery store trip. Mules are backless and can range from flat, to heeled or even pointy-toed. One can just slip right into these shoes, maximizing comfort and minimizing effort. Slipper mules lined with faux-fur or knit fabric are oftentimes worn indoors to the cozy composition of the shoe, and many trending slipper mules are produced by UGG or cushionaire. Clogs, also backless most times, usually feature a closed round toe and a buckle strap. The platform sole is commonly wood, cork, or rubber. The most popular styles of clogs hail from Birkenstock’s Boston clogs.
Fall isn’t just a season for falling leaves, pumpkins, and midterms, it's a season for shoes. The wide range of versatility, comfort, and style offered by fall footwear is unparalleled and sure to leave you looking chic, refined, and ready to tackle the fall season.
Edited by Eryn Schoenebeck and Logan Lloyd
