Winter Trends Becoming Spring Trends & Vice Versa

      We’re slowly making our way into some spring weather, and as mentioned in one of my earlier posts, we should be seeing an EARLY spring this year. So you may be asking yourself, “What am I going to do with all my winter footwear?” Well, it seems that some of the new fashion trends are allowing for some of our winter wear to be carried over into the spring season and vice versa. Below, I have listed a few of the styles and trends that have made a “cross-over” throughout the seasons; fall/winter trends have become new spring/summer trends and spring/summer trends have become new fall/winter trends!

 

Ÿ  Suede is OKAY to be worn in the spring season

Ÿ  Peep-toed shoes are now being worn in the fall and winter seasons (see my February 05, 2011 blog for further details on peep-toed shoes during fall/winter)

Ÿ  UGG boots in the summer (not one of my favorite trends; mentioned in my February 08, 2011 blog)

Ÿ  There are now sandals with a high leg, similar to a peep-toe boot, but are made for the summer season

It is a crazy thing how fast fashion and trends changes, and how extreme those changes may get. And there are many more trends that have not been mentioned above that can be carried over for the next season. Therefore, don’t go around the house packing up “last season’s” styles because you might just be able to get away with wearing them for a while longer!

UGG Boots: Winter or Summer?

            I’m sure that you all know what the famous UGG boots are. I’m pretty positive that just as almost every college student owns a North Face jacket of some sort, almost every college female (possibly some males too… let’s not leave them out) owns a pair of UGG boots. UGGS fill the college campuses every fall and winter season. But wait, they don’t stop there… we keep seeing them throughout the warm season too. Does this even make sense? Aren’t these boots built with sheepskin lining in order to keep your feet warm? Are these boots for winter or summer wear?

            I know that UGG makes different types of footwear for the all of the different seasons now, so therefore, people do not need to be wearing their sheepskin UGG boots with skirts or shorts in the eighty, and sometimes ninety, degree weather, just so they can sport their $160 boot just a little longer. There are other options, with the same brand name.

            UGG’s spring 2011 collection now offers gladiator sandals, tennis shoes, flip flops, and wedges. If it is all about the brand name, then this is the way to go for both the spring and summer seasons. You can be trendy and sensible all in one wardrobe. Therefore, the verdict is out: UGG boots are NOT for summer wear. You should not be needing to throw on your sheepskin UGG boots to walk around in the blazing heat. Instead, try shopping around in UGG’s 2011 Spring Collection!

Rain Boots

            Time has been flying by, and as it turns out that Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow! You know what that means… an EARLY SPRING is underway!

I am sure that you have all heard the saying, “Spring showers brings May flowers.” Well, we all need to be prepared for these showers. As a college student, I spend a lot of time walking to class in all types of weather, because it is very unpredictable; therefore I have had the need to invest in some protective footwear.

            It turns out that RAIN BOOTS are exactly what is in style! Not only has this type of footwear been created for protecting your feet, socks, and the bottom of your pants from the rain, but they are also, in the now, a serious fashion DO.

Usually the rain boots are seen while wearing a great pair of jeans; or even with a pair of sweats, and the best part is: it doesn’t even have to be raining out while you wear the rain boots. They have also been noted to be worn with dresses to give a “Little House on the Prairie” look, and since leggings are very in, you can bet that these rain boots will look absolutely FAB with those too!

You can find rain boots in almost any design and/or color. You can create a very edgy look while wearing darker colored rain boots. The boots are very casual, so you can basically wear them with whatever you define as that.

Peep-Toe Shoes Year Round

            Have you ever wondered why they make open-toed shoes during the fall and winter seasons? Wouldn’t you suspect that your little toes would get too cold while walking out and about on the hard and frozen ground, in below thirty degree temperatures? Well, if you are asking yourself these questions, maybe you’re not as up on the fashion trends as you believe yourself to be, because open toed shoes are very “in” for not only the upcoming spring season, but they have also been very “in” for the past fall and current winter season.  

            There are many different options when it comes to open-toed shoes for women. There are open-toed flats, there are open-toed pumps and heels, and just in the past couple years, they have came out with a new creation which is open-toed boots and open-toed high-heeled boots. Some people would never be caught dead in an open-toed shoe during the winter season; however, in the name of fashion, more people than you think are doing it. For the winter, this problem of your toes being cold, due to the open area of the shoe, can be solved simply by wearing a pair of tights with the open-toed footwear.

            The reason for expanding open-toed footwear beyond the spring and summer seasons is not just in the name of fashion, but it is also because people believe that it is viewed as “sexy” to have their toes showing. I happen to own a pair of peep-toed boots, and I believe they are absolutely fabulous, very stylish and trendy!

The pair that I have purchased is pictured below. If you want to get up on the trend, you can purchase them too at www.charlotterusse.com, for only $35.50. (Remember, Charlotte Russe almost ALWAYS has BOGO for $15 or under).

Oxfords: The New Flats

            I have seen a lot of people wearing these new oxford flats, which I really have found intriguing every time I see a woman with them on. These shoes always struck me as something you only see on individuals who tap dance. Or I have even thought of these shoes to be more manly in appearance, this is most likely because in the 1900’s they were men’s dress shoes. Well, apparently these oxfords have become the new “flat” for women, in which you are able to wear anywhere and for any occasion. According to Sienna Miller, a style icon, there are six ways in which you wear these new oxford flats:

1) Casual Chic: all you need is skinny jeans and a loose t-shirt.

2) Sexy Casual: a great pair of slightly loose jeans (rolled up, just above the ankle), and match this with a tight v-neck sweater.

3) Preppy Casual: pleated cuffed trousers and a loose blouse.

4) Evening Casual: sleek skinny pants and an oversized sweater.

5) Party Chic: This involves heeled oxfords, but you can pair them with black tights, a short dress, and a cropped blazer. Don’t forget some fierce jewelry.

6) Cruise Casual: wear your light colored oxfords with a short full skirt and a tank top.

These are a few tips provided by Sienna Miller, on how to sport your new oxford flats (or heels) without appearing “manly.” Information, and Sienna's tips were received from www.retrovintageshoes.com. Below, I have also provided a link for a site in which you can purchase these bright and stylish oxford flats, for $38.

You can purchase these at www.urbanoutfitters.com

Vibram FiveFingers

            While I was walking to class the other day, I passed a male on the side walk and happened to glance down at his feet. Whatever it was that he was wearing had definitely caught my eye because I caught myself completely turning around again after I had passed him to take another look. I thought to myself, “What are those things!”

            At first, I had thought that they were water shoes, but here it is the beginning of February, and I just thought what would somebody be doing, walking around in 30 degree weather, wearing water shoes? It simply didn’t add up; therefore, I did some research. It turns out that these so called “water shoes” that I had thought I was seeing, are actually TOE SHOES, actually called Vibram FiveFingers.

            These toe shoes are actually extremely dynamic; they are comparable to walking around barefoot because they are so light and airy, but offer many great benefits (which is a good thing, because I believe walking around barefoot is quite painful). The Vibram FiveFingers website explains that there are five reasons for wearing these shoes. The reasons (received from the website) are listed below:

1. Strengthens Muscles in the Feet and Lower Legs—Wearing Vibram FiveFingers will stimulate and strengthen muscles in the feet and lower legs, improving general foot health and reducing the risk of injury.

2. Improves Range of Motion in Ankles, Feet and Toes—No longer 'cast' in a shoe, the foot and toes move more naturally.

3. Stimulates Neural Function Important to Balance and Agility—When wearing Vibram FiveFingers, thousands of neurological receptors in the feet send valuable information to the brain, improving balance and agility.

4. Eliminate Heel Lift to Align the Spine and Improve Posture—By lowering the heel, your bodyweight becomes evenly distributed across the footbed, promoting proper posture and spinal alignment.

5. Allow the Foot and Body to Move Naturally—Which just FEELS GOOD.

Below is a picture of the Classic Vibram FiveFingers taken from Google Images (you can see where I was confused into thinking they were water shoes).

Animal Prints

                A trend that has been very popular in the past, and is back again is the ANIMAL PRINTS. They are so exotic, yet fun and exciting patterns. Animal prints made their way back into wardrobes in the fall of 2010, and they are still holding strong during this winter. The great thing about these wild animal prints is that these patterns are expected to hang around through the spring and even into the summer of 2011!

            The most popularly seen animal prints are the famous leopard, the zebra print, the giraffe print, and even the snake skins. The original animal prints are made of very neutral colors, browns, tans, and black. However, the new trends are to change the colors of the prints with keeping the same designs of the print. For example, I’ve seen zebra print with neon colored stripes, instead of just plain black and white.

            The good news is that the animal prints look fabulous on shoes! A great way to wear these prints is to use the prints as an accent to a bold solid color that you’re wearing. (Shoes are a great way to accent an outfit!) In the winter, the bold colors were more natural, from browns, tans, greens, and black, and then throw in an animal print scarf, bag, shoes, or other accessory. However, moving into the spring, the great solid colors to pair with these prints will be much brighter such as: purple, navy, yellow, green, and in some cases even bright red.

            These prints are so full of life and so much fun, just be sure to not over do it! The images below were both received from Google Images. To the left, you can see that these shoes are more dressy, and are to be worn out, much more fierce. To the right, you can go more casual with the animal print converse. Of course, you can also find footwear with other selections of different animal patterns.