The nostalgia showed out with some serious inspo.
Strapped and Stacked Elevated Ballet Flats
In the wise words of punk princess Avril Levine, “He was a punk, she did ballet, what more can I say?” The ballet platform uniquely combines the two unlikely subcultures, the edgy punk styling of the mid-1970s and the soft, feminine aesthetics of 1980s athleisure. While the platformization takeover of shoe trends has been around for some time now, the contemporary lace-up ballet flat aesthetic is a new take on modern femininity, one that we recommend pairing with your favorite pair of vintage 80s legwarmers, as seen on celebs such as FKA Twigs, Julia Garner and Willow Smith.
Sky High Mary Janes
This might not be what your grandma pictured when you told her Mary Janes were back in style, but thanks to recent celebs Keke Palmer and Olivia Rodrigo and designers Marc Jacobs and Versace, the platform
Mary Jane is becoming the next It girl staple shoe.
Over The Top Metallic
It might have been Beyoncé’s Renaissance album and a recent resurgence of 1980s house music-style disco tracks that inspired brands such as Prada, Isabel Marant, and Bottega Veneta as they all showcased reflective metallic thigh-high statement boots in recent ready-to-wear shows. This retro-futurist fashion trend feels revolutionary yet vintage at the same time; much like Dua Lipa's Future Nostalgia album, the 26-year-old disco pop star has also been a recent wearer of glistening statement thigh highs, cementing their place in our It-girl shoe roster.
Going Knee-Deep in Wide Waders and Skinny Heels
The wide knee swimmers are the lesser-known, more fabulous sister of the casual riding boot, and they're gaining major traction this season. In many styles that go to the knee and beyond, these boots are usually paired with micro minis but can also be paired with blazers and a midi skirt for an ultimate casual chic office look. The best part about our pick? It can be styled in two ways, opting for a more versatile boot and offering endless fall outfit possibilities.
A Classic Black Sneaker
Although the iconic Adidas Samba sneaker got its start on the football fields of Brazil in the early 1950s, it has permeated through decades of street-style culture, becoming a long-time favorite of musicians, models, and celebrities such as Freddie Mercury and Bob Marley in the 1970s and 1980s. In the 90s, the shoe was picked up by the skateboarding subculture and remained the brands leading skate shoe until it was replaced by the samba-inspired Busenitz skate sneaker in 2006. These days the Samba can be seen as the quintessential pair of timeless black sneakers worn by modern fashion icons such as Bella Hadid, Rihanna, and Kendall Jenner.
The Good ole Pair of Dad Shoes
Initially designed in the late 1980s by the godfather of the dad shoe, Steven Smith, the New Balance 550 quickly flamed out and sat untouched from sneaker culture for years--- that is until, one day, a 1987 New Balance Ad caught the eye of the young designer and creative director Teddy Santis. He dusts off the old design three decades later and reintroduces it to the world, a celebration of the dad shoe culture its original designer helped create, and the NB 550 is totally having its well-deserved moment.
Loving a Pair of Loafers
Expect to look like a little lad, but in the chicest way. Loafers aren’t just for the office anymore; they’re a casual staple. Perfect for when you want to spice up your style after months in sweats but are not ready to re-embrace heels, this shoe feels reminiscent of the moment and is a chic way to dress up any outfit.
Cozy Clogs
These are definitely your next lazy Sunday shoe. Rooted in an anti-fashion, pro-comfort movement of the 1960s and 70s, the clog’s durable platform sole and comfort of a slipper make even the scariest list of Sunday errands feel like a cakewalk.