Mules, sandals or flip flops? What are the choice footwear for the current season?

You may be looking for an occasion to strut outside in your fanciest shoes once the lockdown is over, but which ones will be the most fashion forward?

With some countries gradually reopening over the next few weeks, many of us may be looking forward to finally leaving the house in brand new outfits for the Spring/Summer 2020 season. But what shoes will you be wearing?

Mules and lace-up sandals continue to be popular among fashion addicts, but they are not the only options; heeled flip flops are also gaining ground, as evidenced by the most recent report published by fashion search engine Stylight.

If sneakers and rain boots have been your go-to footwear of late, you may be looking for an occasion to strut outside in your fanciest shoes but which ones will be the most fashion forward?

Stylight has been working hard to decipher the footwear trends for the season, analysing the purchasing behaviour of its 12 million monthly users in March 2020 and comparing it with data for March 2019, while also drawing on insights gleaned from the most recent fashion weeks, looks on the street and in postings on Instagram.

So what is on the radar? Searches for padded sandals and shoes with quilted patterns have increased by 200% in March 2020, when compared to the same period in the previous year. A similar upsurge in interest has been observed for heeled flip flops with clicks up by 189%.

Bows are another major trend. As seen on the runways in the four capitals of fashion, bows will be everywhere this summer on ready-to-wear, lingerie and beachwear...

And, they will also be adding a touch of glamour to flat and heeled sandals according to the report, which noted an increase of 146% in clicks on sandals with bows in March 2020 when compared to the same period a year earlier.

Finally, we should also note growing enthusiasm for lace-up sandals, heeled loafers and platform sandals. – AFP Relaxnews