THE JOURNAL
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Put Some Spring In Your Step: Five Of The Best Shoes For Warmer Weather
Words by The MR PORTER Team
7 April 2022
Perhaps it’s because we’re writing this from under the terminally grey sky at MR PORTER HQ in London, but we’re positively fizzing at the prospect of warmer weather. The chilly bite in the air is starting to slacken, the trees are alive with new buds and after what feels like a particularly long winter there’s finally some springtime optimism in the air. (If you’re smugly reading this from somewhere that’s bathed in sunshine all year-round, you can stop showing off.)
Wherever you are, spring is a particularly good time for some new shoes. Whether it’s in anticipation of a holiday or simply because your wardrobe needs a refresh, a well-chosen pair of spring-appropriate shoes is a good place to start warming up for the months ahead. Here are five of our favourites to see you through the season, plus a few ideas of what you might wear them with.
01.
The statement slides
OK, so we might be getting ahead of ourselves when we say “spring” with this decidedly summery pair of slides, but can you blame us? These Bottega Veneta slides are crafted from smooth rubber that’s comfortable to wear and will turn heads at the beach and beyond. The main draw, of course, is the colour. Is anyone else suddenly craving an Aperol Spritz?
02.
The transitional high-top
There’s nothing like a pair of new white sneakers to lighten up your wardrobe and add some clean flash to style that’s likely been dominated by black and navy during the winter. This CELINE HOMME high-top is retro without being derivative, and clean without appearing too sanitised – in fact we suspect that these might look even better once they’ve been taken around the block a few times. They’re also a perfect transitional shoe: the high top allows you to keep your pasty ankles under wraps a little longer until you’re ready to reveal your delicate sun-starved stems to the world.
03.
The suede boat shoes
We all wish we were on a yacht somewhere in the Mediterranean, allowing the breeze to blow through our hair and the sea salt to tickle our noses. Boat shoes – suede ones from luxury king Brunello Cuccinelli – will get you one step (see what we did there?) further towards your seaborne escape. And if you’re not heading for a deck somewhere, they’ll look lovely and elegant on dry land as well.
04.
The velvet loafers
For those who pride themselves on their wardrobe of impeccably tailored overcoats, exquisitely crafted cashmere knits and buffed-to-a-shine Oxfords, the warmer weather – and specifically the more relaxed style of dress that it typically ushers in – can induce a sartorial tailspin. Our advice: take cues from the ever-epicurean Mr Tom Ford, who has designed these tiger-striped tasselled velvet loafers that feel fitting for the summer months but still ooze old-world sophistication.
05.
The sophisticated espadrilles
The sandal may be the go-to shoe come summer, but if you’re the kind who prefers not to bare their (yet-to-be-pedicured) toes, for whatever reason, then an espadrille makes for a more-than-worthy modest alternative. This suede and jute-soled pair by Loro Piana is cast in a hue that feels suitably sunny and is equipped with a clever collapsible heel for balmier days and more laid-back affairs.