footwear
Heels, flats, and sneakers, oh my! Meet the latest and greatest footwear walking the streets of the fashion world.
- Top Story - June 2019
DianneHalloway Interdisciplinary
The subtitle might make you believe the start of this log is gonna be a fairytale. Sike! Instead, this is quite adjacent. The affliction of copycatting done by big sneaker brands is far too prevalent. Years ago, in an age where every false move can be quickly spread by social media, I watched a design of mine replicate on the biggest platform without my permission. It was no surprise—sneaker brands have only historically grown by copying. It's an epidemic and today more prevalent than ever for major footwear companies getting away with blatantly ripping off designs from independent designers. Once a design hits social media, the fast-fashion machine can’t be stopped. It’s only a matter of time before there are multiple brands making copies while the original creator like myself almost always gets lost in the shuffle. I could have lamented about being copied by a huge brand. Large brands get away with stealing designs from smaller companies because fashion is not fully protected under American copyright law. The US copyright law positions American fashion as a manufacturing industry rather than a creative one. With these outdated legal doctrines still in place, sneakers in any category aren’t given nearly enough legal protection, even as sneaker designs have become increasingly prevalent. Unfortunately, the industry is frivolous, an area that doesn’t need protection. If every shoe design were to suddenly fall under copyright protection, big brands with large legal budgets would copyright as many designs as possible and constantly file lawsuits, creating a hostile environment that could force smaller designers out of the industry completely. So instead of starting an outrage on social media, it opened me up to really form a strategic plan and play chess. I started attending various popular curated conventional festivals for research. I’ve learned that traditional footwear development is out, or to say the least powered by big-branded names. No independent brand will triumph in that department because it's already been overtaken. The new and emerging trend is that of custom shoes—I would be remiss if I didn’t include the thriving influencers in this category that have been making waves in the customization world. The breakout of independent footwear customizers hauled a perception of pricey tags and catered only to the high-end clientele. Of course this is a gross misconception. Most of the moneymaking of the customizations are being powered over once again by the big brands like Nike ID, Adidas Miadidas, Custom Converse, Vans, Reebok and New Balance. But it seems like in this category, there is a fighting chance and a bit more wiggle room. The worldwide reach of social media and the common desire among customers everywhere to get customized, individual products has broadened the size and scale of the custom shoe market.
Dianne HallowayPublished 5 years ago in Styled Payless Closed Down!
When it comes to gym shoes, or winter boots, I only go with two brands; Nike and UGG respectively. Expensive? Most definitely. But my UGGs lasted me four whole years. And not a single wet sock in sight. That's justification enough. And Nike has the perfect fit, comparatively to the rest.
10 Sneakers That Match Everything
Sneakers are as popular as ever lately, with young professionals moving more towards wearing stylish sneakers rather than dress shoes or heels. It's all about street style these days. If you are a sneaker person and comfort seeker, you are going to need a good pair of sneakers that match everything so you need never be forced to wear uncomfortable shoes again.
Ringo MendozaPublished 5 years ago in StyledWhat Are Those?!
LoaferMaxes. Loafers + Nike Vapormax Trainers. Continue reading to see the end product. ... The idea first came into my head a while back, like a fly that sneaks through your blinds, whizzes round the room, and slowly drifts down, annoyingly close to your toes.
Most Comfortable Men’s Walking Shoes Without Laces
Whether you’re brisk walking on the track or on daily errands, you should choose nothing less than the best pair of men’s walking shoes in order to experience sheer comfort with every step you take and prevent any injury.
Kamaldeep ChandelPublished 5 years ago in StyledAustralian Summer Footwear Must-Haves
Summer is always in season. At least that seems to be the case in Australia. Warm weather, the shining sun, and summer clothes—those are the essentials for every Australian. And, of course, summer footwear. So, get your feet ready and choose your perfect shoe, based on one of the following criteria:
Isla WrightPublished 5 years ago in Styled"Forever Tomboy"
This whole idea started with looking down. While most ideas start with looking up for answers. Go figure! Traveling from coast to coast and at-a-glance catching every sneaker I could see from mesh fitness shoes to one of kind limited editions walking around. I noticed one simple thing. All the women's sneakers that I saw were so "plain Jane." While all the men's shoes seemed to have all the creativity, color, and eye-catching style in the world. Don't be mistaken there are a few women's sneakers that I have seen that are to drool over, of course, they cost about as much as a mortgage on a small country, but yet it still pales in comparison to the choices that men have to express their individuality through footwear. It's 2019 and women are so far evolved pass "plain Jane" status! (Thank heavens!)
Isha KnightPublished 5 years ago in Styled11 Sexy Shoes to Unleash Your Inner Stripper
There are a lot of reasons why you might want to upgrade your game with a new pair of heels. Be it an upcoming event or just a night in with your partner, the right sexy shoes for you are easy to find if you know where to look—shoes that are designed to make you not only look sexy, but also make you feel sexy. From thigh high boots to stiletto heels, there are shoes for every woman who wants to feel and look her sexiest.
Lorna VausePublished 5 years ago in Styled10 Must-Buy Streetwear Sneakers
Sneakers aren't just for the gym anymore; they're serious fashion statements. Nowhere is this truer than in the world of streetwear—a fashion world where sneakers are king.
Skunk UzekiPublished 5 years ago in Styled11 Cute and Funky Socks You Can Buy On Amazon
Are socks the new secret art of expression? Maybe, or maybe not, we like to not take socks that seriously. Instead, we rock fun and funky socks all year round to keep the days interesting. Replace boring, white ankle socks with cute designs to keep a spring in your step all day long!
Lindsay ParksPublished 5 years ago in Styled12 Must-Have Summer Boots of 2018
Summer boots. Love 'em or hate 'em, they are absolutely in style right now. They're considered to be a perfect "transition weather" shoe that looks elegant enough for a summer brunch, but still look warm enough to work for a night on the town in October.
Sasha KonikovoPublished 6 years ago in Styled10 Most Comfortable and Classic Chelsea Boots
Chelsea boots are elastic-sided ankle boots, and they are a classic style that every woman should keep in their wardrobe. Chelsea boots can be worn in all seasons with the right outfit, and they aren’t too high or too fancy to overpower your day to day look. These boots can be found in high quality materials at reasonable prices if you know where to look. Here are some of our favorite picks for the most comfortable and classic Chelsea boots on the market.
Morgan E. WestlingPublished 6 years ago in Styled