If you’re like most fashion fans, you’ve probably sworn at one point in your life that you’ll never get caught wearing practical, ‘ugly’ footwear like sandals, or those rubber clogs that seem to be everywhere these days.
But what if your favorite designer starts including utilitarian footwear with a glam spin in their range of products? It can be recalled that Crocs generated a lot of buzz when the footwear behemoth worked with Simone Rocha, Salehe Bembury, and Balenciaga to create stylish versions of their bulky clog.
The unlikely collaborations sparked a lot of interest among the fashion elite, and soon after, stars like Justin Bieber were seen proudly wearing the clogs, donning his Balenciaga x Crocs to the 2022 Grammy Awards.
Many designers have proven that their distinctive touch can turn practical pieces into high-fashion must-haves. To combine comfort with style, here’s how luxury brands are elevating practical footwear for today’s fashionistas.
Luxurious Materials for Added Comfort
According to experts at skate and snowboard shop Tactics, most practical shoes, such as those made by Birkenstock, are created using sturdy materials that can withstand everyday wear.
A typical two-strap sandal from Birkenstock, for instance, will have a cork footbed to absorb shock, and an insole made of natural leather for comfort and breathability. The designer version of this sandal may use the same materials, but it will have a few luxurious additions to make it feel plush and ultra cozy.
For instance, Valentino has their own take on the two-strap sandal, with a shearling lining and straps made of rich brown calf leather and gold buckles. This sandal, known as the Fussfriend Slide, also comes in a pink variant, with crisscrossed velvet straps and a suede insole.
Maison Margiela also put a creative spin on this summer staple by creating a pair made entirely of calf leather, with a platform sole for height and two-tone buckles. Meanwhile, Moncler’s Solarisse fur sandal will make you feel as if you’re walking on a cloud.
This sandal is completely covered in pink faux fur, making it a great choice if you want to upgrade your bedroom slippers, but it’s also the perfect statement piece to go with your casual fall looks.
Interesting Shapes and Sophisticated Colors
Let’s say you’re going on a vacation to a place with unpredictable weather, or a destination that’s known for boating, camping, and farming. In these instances, only weatherproof footwear such as rubber clogs will do.
But if you really can’t stand the look of typical rubber clogs, don’t fret. Designers like Bottega Veneta have reimagined this type of footwear to make it sleeker, more interesting, and a lot more fashionable with the release of their Puddle Sandals.
This sculptural rubber shoe is an homage to the clog, slipper, and sling-back as it somehow manages to seamlessly combine all three into one lightweight and waterproof sandal. The chunky sole, curved front, and sling-back create a notable difference from classic clogs, making them look more flattering on the feet.
And while they’re available in Black and Chocolate Brown, you can also have them in sophisticated colors such as Caramel, Peach, and Hollyhock.
Hardware and Bling for Sparkle and Shine
If you’ve ever used a Bedazzler to put some bling on your clothes, you’ll know that a little sparkle and shine can add a glamorous vibe to any outfit. Many designers feel the same way, and some of them use special hardware, gems, and precious metals to make a practical shoe look more premium.
Fisherman shoes, for instance, which are designed for coastal living, have gotten a bling upgrade from luxury footwear maison Roger Vivier. The fashion house enhanced the sandal’s utilitarian shape by adding an oversized gold tone buckle at the side, as well as a pull loop at the back so you can easily slip them on.
Meanwhile, artisan shoe line Freda Salvador has a line of fisherman sandals called Sera, and variants include sandals made of black calfskin with turquoise stones, nut suede with gold studs, and dove white calf with gold studs, among others.
Luxury brands are putting their own spin on practical footwear, much to the delight of fashion enthusiasts all over the world.
With plush materials, unique colors and shapes, and a sprinkle of bling, even the most basic and utilitarian shoe can be a staple for discerning fashion enthusiasts, so think about including these shoes and sandals in your footwear collection.
