2011 Fashion

Key Footwear Fashion Trends 2011 Summer

By Pauline Weston Thomas for Fashion-Era.com

A comprehensive review of women's shoe designs for the summer season of 2011.  This article describes in detail the new styles in block heels, Mary Janes, court shoes, and also beachwear footwear such as espadrilles and Gladiator sandals.

  • Footwear for Summer 2011
  • Ditsy Floral Print Shoes Summer 2011
  • Tie Ankle Wrap Sandals
  • Block Heels - Sculptured Heel
  • Courts With Sculptured Heels
  • Mary Jane Shoes 2011
  • Peep Toe Court Shoes
  • Red Platform Shoes
  • Leather Laser Work Footwear
  • Colourful Green Gladiator Sandals
  • Coloured Fashion Espadrilles

Patterns and Fabrics in Shoes

Zany wedges are so cheerful and wedge shoes are great for evenings out.  You gain extra stability with the wedge support and the wedge construction helps prevent aching feet because the weight of your body is more spread.  These pink open toe wedge shoes are each so pretty, yet so different that a simple outfit could easily be transformed from ordinary to spectacular.

Pink, Cerise and Raffia Wedge Shoes.

Left - Print Floral Fabric Tie And Raffia Wedge Sandals - Bonprix.co.uk - Stockist Number: 0871 384 1004.
Centre - Red Herring Floral Wedge £38/€57 - Debenhams Footwear.
Right - Red Herring Striped Wedge £35/€53 - Debenhams Footwear - Stockist Number: 08445616161.

Ditsy Floral Print Shoes Summer 2011

Ditsy, floral, itsy-bitsy fabric prints that look as if they have jumped off a patchwork quilt, have flown onto all sorts of footwear from flat Grecian sandals to pretty flower print pumps.  Other footwear for the summer of 2011 includes floral fabric espadrilles, chunky wedges, strappy platform heels and flower powered sneakers.  These shoe choices below show a wide variation of flower prints from pastels to peach coral reds, note the interesting and co-ordinated backgrounds.  This floral footwear works well with the current fashion craze for peasant Gypsy Chic blouses.

Ditsy Floral Fabric Flat Shoes, Wedges & Platforms.

Top Left - Matalan SS11 Women's Floral High Top Sneakers £12 - Stockist Number: 0845 330 3330.
Top Centre - Floral Pump Shoe - Office SS2011.
Top Right - Matalan SS11 Women's Floral Espadrille £5.
Bottom Left - New Look Floral Print Platform Wedge £19.99/€24.99.
Bottom Centre - Office High Summer Ladies 2011 Simple Minds, £75/€110 Office Ladies Footwear.
Bottom Right - Matalan Ladies SS11 Floral Panel High Wedge £16.

Tie Ankle Wrap Sandals

New twists mean rope or ribbon toes on footwear let ties trace up the leg from ankle to calf.  Other shoes and sandals show abundant ribbon ankle wrapping.  Some of the ribbons follow the floral themes in prints.  The floral ties shown on the check wedge shoes above are a typical fashion finish on footwear this year 2011.

Matalan has some excellent low cost shoes and sandals that hones in on every aspect of this floral fabric fashion trend in footwear.  Office have also produced some hot trend items in footwear for 2011.

Tie Ankle Wrap Sandals.

Above Left - Matalan SS11 Womens Shoes - Floral Tie Ankle Wrap Gladiator Sandal £14.
Top Right - Matalan SS11 Womens Abstract Floral Wrap Ankle Tie Gladiator £12.
Bottom Right - Matalan SS11 Womens Floral Fabric Toe-post Thong Sandal £12.

You are reading an original article by Pauline Weston Thomas, which reviews the summer 2011 trends in formal shoes such as block heels, Mary Janes and court shoes; it also reviewed beachwear footwear such as espadrilles and Gladiator sandals; note:- only for publication on www.fashion-era.com ©

Block Heels

The modern way with colour mixing in 2011 extends to shoes, which are mostly two or even three colours.  Think of a shoe and think of bold harmonic colours such as turquoise emerald and royal blue, positioned to create an abstract pattern worthy of Mondrian.  Tan and other neutrals complement these bold twists of colour.  Greens and yellows pair well with white.

Ahhhh ... sighs of relief from many, at the return of medium-height court shoes or kitten-heel pumps. These are the answer for those who are fearful of the ridiculous heights shoes have seen in recent years.  No woman can comfortably wear a fine shoe heel over 12.5cm/5 inches - beyond that she really does risk life and limb.  Worse by the time she is sixty its a 90% chance that her arches will have dropped.  So pace yourself with the wearing of high heels.  Many a model has teetered on catwalks when forced to wear 12 inches of elevated footwear.

Block Heel Shoes.

Above Left - NEXT Yellow Platform Shoes, £35/€45 - NEXT Beach Hut Collection SS11.
Centre - Shoe by Hobbs - NW3 Collection - Goodison Brogue Court Shoes - £159/€180.
Right - Kaleidoscope 2011 - Green Dip Sided Shoe -White Contrast Piping & Heel £37.

Wooden Soles

More blocky looking cone and solid square heels or stacked heels that endow a cubist effect are very 1970s. These steadier styles may all be newer styles for you.   With the wooden clog like platform these mules of varying platform heights and heels take on a 1970s Dr. Scholl character.

Mule Clog Shoes - Wooden Platforms.

Above Top Left - Hobbs - Curvy Flat Sandals, £99/€115. Hobbs Spring Summer 2011 Footwear & Accessories.
Centre Left - NW3 Hankins Scalloped Wooden Sandals, Nude, £110/€125
Bottom Left - Hobbs - NW3 Hiking Sandals, Cherry, £110/€125.

Above Top Right - Faith Devlin Wooden Heel Platform Sandal £50 at Debenhams - SS11.
Centre Right - Hobbs - NW3 Wyldes Sling-back Sandals in Nude - Also in Midnight Blue £110/€125 - www.hobbs.co.uk .
Bottom Right - Faith Dole Orange Platform Clog Sandals £45/£55 Debenhams SS11 - Faith Stockist Number: 08445616161.

Courts With Sculptured Heels, Wedges & High Heels Summer 2011

Some footwear shows real definition with sculptured fascinating heel forms. These twisted heels centre and sculptured pieces are like works of art they are so rococo in line.  Gold, mustard, yellow and lemon add sunshine to shoe styles.

Sculptured Fashion Heels - Yellow Court Shoes.

Above Left - Schuh Mouse Twist Heel Yellow Court Shoe - £65/€85. Also available in red and black Schuh Spring Summer 2011 Collection Stockist www.schuh.co.uk.
Centre - SS11 Womens Chunky Heel Espadrille £18 Matalan Ladies Footwear Stockist Tel: 0845 330 3330.

Right - Office High Summer Ladies Footwear 2011 - Hurley Burley, £68/€100.
This 70's sling-back gold heel mid open toe sandal is totally 1970s retro in design. The sturdy heel and one centimetre platform help make it a high comfort option for dancing the night away. Stockist www.office.co.uk or Tel. UK 08450 580777.

Neutral Shoes Summer Bar Strap 'Empire Boardwalk' Mary Jane Shoes 2011

Straps are multiplying on shoes and there a bi and triple ankle strap shoes, plus tie bows.

The Mary Jane is an easy comfortable style, even with a high heel, because that midway strap neither cuts the ankle or hugs toe cleavage so far down that the strap gets rendered ineffective at holding the shoe in place.  Correctly positioned a Mary Jane strap can support and hold the shoe on a foot that would otherwise struggle with a heeled shoe.  No wonder Mary Janes have been so popular for dancing down the decades.

Bar Strap Empire Boardwalk Mary Jane Shoes 2011.

Left - Schuh Prince Bow Bar Court £67/€85 Also Available Red - Schuh Spring Summer 2011 Collection
Centre - Open Bar Shoes, Nude, £129/€150 Hobbs Spring Summer 2011. Footwear & Accessories - www.hobbs.co.uk.
Right - Black Bow and Piping, Block Heel Mary Jane Shoe By Dune.

Bar straps are a simple feature which help stabilise a shoe and make sit easier to keep a shoe on the foot especially useful with mass produced footwear for those who have odd size feet.

Ballerina Colours

Extra footwear features of note are fake flowers, particularly roses, and also there is an element of transparency in footwear as transparent mesh inserts, bows or fronds of tulle create wispy effects.  Combine this with dainty floral print fabric, nude and flesh tones and the footwear is all in keeping with ballerina looks.

Pale Pink Rose Shoes.

Top Left - Peony Ballerina Pump £25/€42 - SS 2011 Accessorize Ballerina Corsage Pastel Pink Pompom Shoe.
Top Centre - Dune - Fleur Toe-post Flat Sandal - £55/€64.
Top Right - Accessorize Panel Brogue Pastel Pink and Floral Brogue Shoe £28/€47 - SS 2011 Accessorize Ladies Shoes Stockist Number: 08448110068.
Bottom Centre - Dune Peep Toe Flower Ballerina Pump - Dune - Emmie - £65/€76.
Bottom Left - Rose Peep Toe Platform Court Shoe by NEXT SS2011.

Print Shoes Peep Toe Court Shoes

Peep toe shoes offer extra comfort in summer an enable a glimpse of a great matching pedicure.  Hot pink toes nails would be the finishing touch to these shoes.  Look out for floral, stripe, spot and check prints as well as glitter embellishments and bow finishes, a flatter alternative to flower corsage additions.

Pink Peep Toes Court Shoes.

Above Left - Dune - Dandelion Floral Peep Toe Court Shoe - £110/€129 Dune Womens SS2011.
Centre - Dune - Valentina Striped Court Shoe with Peep Toe - £85/€100
Right - Dune - Vanity Diamante Fuchsia Low Peep Toe Platform Court Shoe£99/€117 - Dune Womens Footwear SS2011.

If you are seeking a 'Mad Men' feel to your retro outfits add a 1950s touch with fun fabrics in the form of polka dot spots and tablecloth checks. These shoes will add that certain something whether your fashion outfit is a pair of shorts, Capri cropped pants or prom dress.

Red Spot and Red Check Gingham Shoes.

Above Left - New Look Pink Dot Heel £19.99/€24.99
Centre - Shoes By NEXT Summer 2011.
Right - Schuh Garda Ankle Strap Gingham Wedge £70/€90. Schuh Spring Summer 2011 Collection - www.schuh.co.uk. This shoe is also available in a multicolour floral design.

Red Shoes

Red shoes, and cheeky print shoes, are flirtatious and are made for dancing. This year the usual red court shoes have been overtaken by wedges.

Red Platform Shoes

Red Wedge Shoes.

Above Left - Red Label Fashion Footwear Stockists Number: www.redlabelfashion.com.
Centre - NEXT Stripe Wedges, £40/€51 Next Paint Box - Stockist Number: 0116 284 9220.
Right - Office High Summer Ladies Footwear 2011 - Walk Away, £60/€85. Office Stockist www.office.co.uk.

You are reading an original article by Pauline Weston Thomas, which reviews the summer 2011 trends in formal shoes such as block heels, Mary Janes and court shoes; it also reviewed beachwear footwear such as espadrilles and Gladiator sandals; note:- only for publication on www.fashion-era.com ©

Naturals - Denim -Leather - Animal Print Chic Everyday Wedge Shoes Summer 2011

In contrast to neck breaking high heels, there are flats and wedges offering safer alternatives for everyday running around whether at work or play.  Studded shoes, platform heels, wedges, raffia wedges line up against kitten heels and super flat ballerina pumps.

These three wedges use natural tan leather, denim and animal print classic materials that will blend easily with lots of outfits and they make a complete contrast to Ugg boots.

Wedges & Platform Shoes Summer 2011.

Left - Autograph Leather Peep-Toe Wedges, £49 - Marks & Spencer Accessories.
Centre - Tamaris Denim Wedge £39.99 - Tamaris Spring Summer 2011.
Right - Star by Julien MacDonald Leopard Wedge £32/€48. Debenhams Footwear Stockist Number: 0844 5616161.

Lace LaserTexture
Leather Laser Work Footwear

Neutral palette shoes means they can have excess details look for stitching, punching, branding hot poker work marks, and leather strip thong threaded through and over edges or used in woven areas.

Leather Laser Work Footwear.

Left - Dune - Vampy - £85/€100 Dune - Vampy - £85/€100 Dune Womens Laser Footwear Trend 2011.
Centre - Schuh Kitty Cut Out Wedge £65/ €85 Schuh Spring Summer 2011 Collection - Stockist Number: 0845 307 2484 or www.schuh.co.uk .
Right - Schuh Kaitlin Cut Out Bar Peep £60/€80 - Spring Summer 2011 Collection.

Flat Footwear

Colourful Gladiator Sandal Styles Summer 2011 Green Colour Sandals

Check out brilliant coloured leather refined Gladiator sandals.  They have moved away from very earthy looking Roman soldier styles to softer colourful leather versions, beaded thong sandals and metallic leather styles.  Printed fabric also features in sandals and ribbon wrap ties and bows.

Sandals open construction always gives that bit of extra room and comfort, and sandals from Fifty Plus offer extra wide fittings - fashionable colours and comfortable fittings too.

Colourful Green Gladiator Sandal Styles Summer 2011.

Above Top Left - Perfect for beach and holiday occasions, this Fifty Plus Spring Summer 2011 Collection silver and green sandal comes in generous width fittings of E & EEE and in sizes 4 to 9.  Silver & Green Jewel Sandal £40 - Fifty Plus Womenswear Footwear Stockist Tel: 0871 231 2000.

Top Right - Another well designed sandal from Fifty Plus. This lime green gladiator sandal comes in sizes 4-8, D width fitting. Plus sizes will love the shoe fittings at Fifty Plus - Lime Green Gladiator Sandal - £45.
Bottom Left  - Tamaris Green Leather Gladiators £49.99. Tamaris Spring Summer 2011.
Bottom Right - Office High Summer Ladies 2011 Survivor Sandal, £40/€55 Office Ladies Footwear.

Blue Flat Sandals Summer 2011

These blue sandals are typical of the Gladiator and thong styles of summer footwear for 2011.  The fringed version and rose flower version give the 2011 styling touch seen in so many other fashion pieces.

Blue Fringe Sandals Summer 2011.

Above Top Left - Blue Suede Fringed Sandals £35 - Simply Be.
Bottom Left - Dune - Cala - £55/€64 - Dune 2011 Womens Footwear.
Top Right - Dune - Cala - £55/€64.
Bottom Right - Iman Blue Printed Flip Flop 841213 £25/€42 - Monsoon SS 2011 - Stockist Number: 08448110068.

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Holiday Shoes - A Passion for Coloured Fashion Espadrilles

This summer of 2011 shoes come in every colour, but for an inexpensive holiday option consider the basic espadrille.

Penneys of Ireland have taken their cue from some of the main fashion colours in Pantone's SS2011 palette also shown above. Note the sorbet hues of the Penneys summer espadrilles. You are sure to find tints and shades in garments that tone, mix and match with all these base colours.
Below - Penneys (Ireland) - Summer Canvas Espadrilles €4 - Penneys Spring 2011 Womenswear Shoes.

Coloured Fashion Espadrilles.

Blocks of colour work well on footwear. There are multi-coloured and two tone shoes, or shoes with contrast dark or light piping that add freshness to old styles like the Mary Jane shoe.

Shoes are striking - one look at Dior's purple feather shoes with loop stitch trim and espadrille platform will make you sit a up and take notice of fashions in footwear. Sugar sweet colours were used by Miu Miu with a show of multi colour sorbet tone shoes with black trims. These sorbet tones are the inspiration for many footwear colour designs you see everywhere. Footwear is fabulous so take your pick this summer of every footwear trend imaginable.

This page described the latest trends in formal shoes such as block heels, Mary Janes and court shoes; it also reviewed beachwear footwear such as espadrilles and Gladiator sandals. 

You have been reading an original summer 2011 fashion article by Pauline Weston Thomas only for publication on www.fashion-era.com ©

Copyright of images courtesy of Prshots.com, Marks & Spencer, Hobbs, House of Fraser, Schuh, Dune, Primark, Penneys, George at Asda, Oasis, Debenhams, Littlewoods, River Island, Accessorize Monsoon, Matalan, Benetton, ASOS, Warehouse, Pantone, New Look, Jane Norman, ASOS, Faith, Bonprix.co.uk, Dolce & Gabbana, Boohoo.com, Lipsy, Next, Monsoon, River Island, Yogoego.co.uk, very.co.uk, redlabelfashion.com, French Connection, Mint Velvet, Phase Eight, Kaleidoscope, A|wear, Tamaris, Office, Fifty Plus, Simply Be, Faith.

Date added March 2011 - Ref: P.839.

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