Birkenstock - Where Ugly Meets Fashion

(Image sourced from http://styledabba.com/birkenstock-sandals-spring-summer-2014-trend/)

This season everyone is talking about the 90's revival - bomber jackets,  florals, thick soled shoes and so on - and with it has come the "ugly sandal" which is actually cool, got it?! We are talking Birkenstock's or Birkenstock inspired flat, chunky, comfortable sandals. 

The resurgence began back in 2013 when Phoebe Philo catapulted them back into the spotlight when she sent models down the runway in fur-lined versions at Celine’s spring 2013 show. It took a while, but since then models, celebrities and shoppers alike have realised that comfortable is actually fashionable (just in this case!). 

(Image sourced from http://notable.ca/nationwide/shop/Embrace-the-Birkenstock-Trends-for-Spring-and-Summer-2014/)

Birkenstock's began in 1774 in Germany and have been known as the comfortable, 'sensible' choice in sandals for years. "Birkenstock are designed for the natural form of the foot to allow freedom of movement and all-round support. The Birkenstock footbed distributes the weight of the body evenly for comfort and well being, making Birkenstocks the healthy choice." www.birkenstock.co.uk

With comfortable being the new fashionable we think you should definitely hitch a ride on this trend:

Womens

Birkenstock Tabora £49.95

Birkenstock Arizona £45

Birkenstock Madrid Patent £42

Birkenstock Gizeh £49.95

Mens

Birkenstock Milano £49.95

Birkenstock Ramses £49.95

Birkenstock Arizona £45

And finishing off with the designer Birkenstock inspired "ugly" sandals:

Givenchy Floral Print Sandal 

River Island Jewelled Double Strap Sandal

Steve Madden Brigad Studded Slider

Kenzo Triple Strap Slider

Are you rocking the "ugly sandal" trend?

Flower Power

This season (and lets be honest most spring/summers) florals are everywhere - floral prints, flower power accessories and floral applique on footwear. Floral detailing on shoes really makes them pop and as most women know, the shoe really does make the outfit!

(Image sourced from www.chicoshoes.com)

"An incredibly popular trend during this upcoming spring and summer season is the use of floral appliqués. It makes sense when you think about it: what better way to celebrate warm weather’s flowers and gorgeous variety of colors than using those very vessels of vibrancy as shoe-spiration?" www.shoerazzi.com/spring-2014-shoe-trends

So here's our bunch of flowery footwear;

Fitflop Fleur £70

Sixties inspired with multi-layered flower detailing to the front, subtle and perfect for everyday.

Rieker £57

Suede flower style detailing to the toe adds interest to this comfortable wedged sandal. 

Key Footwear Styles for Men S/S14

(Image sourced from http://www.globalblue.com)

Men’s spring summer trends are all about the accessories with footwear being a the 

top of the list. For all you men that are interested in fashion, footwear does matter; 

in fact research suggests that every inch of your outfit can create an everlasting 

first impression. 

"Women judge men's shoes twice as much as men judge women's. 64 percent 

of women judge a man's fashion sense based on his shoes; 52 percent of 

women say they judge a man's personality by his shoes; 36 percent say 

they use shoes to determine a man's financial position; and 54 percent say 

men's shoes reflect a guy's attention to detail (or lack thereof)" 

http://network.details.com/post/ss-14-men-footwear-trends#sthash.1pXkrxkr.dpuf

With that in mind, here are our top picks to meet all your footwear needs 
(and the women's!) this season:

1. The Tassel Loafer

Steptronic Fury £110

This season like many previous seasons the loafer is big news but the key trend this spring summer is the ever-popular tasselled version in leather. This simple yet highly effective style suits a wide variety of occasions and fit well with a multitude of looks. Steptronic takes this loafer to the next level with their super soft leather uppers and gel and sheepskin padded inner soles for supreme comfort. 

2. The Suede Derby

Clarks Denner Motion £64.99

Rieker 13012 £59.99 

Perfect for those warmer, drier days this season is all about the suede Derby; with lighter soles for a spring feel and an array of colours to choose from to suit your mood. They work perfectly for casual or dress wear with a multitude of outfits; wear with dark jeans and a light shirt and perhaps a blazer for a dressier summer occasion and with chinos (shorts or full length) and a tee or looser shirt. 

3. The Two Tone Brogue

Steptronic Floyd £110

Barbour Westoe £99.95

Barker Jackson £190

The two tone brogue became big in the latter half of 2013 due to its subtle way of separating your footwear from the vast crowd of brogues out there. Perfect for dressy summer occasions compared to your classic brogue that can look too heavy with lighter coloured clothing. Although the two tone brogue can be dressed down it shines in all its splendor when paired with a smarter outfit.  

Whats your favourite men's spring summer look?

Fashion trends sourced from http://www.fashionbeans.com/2014/five-key-footwear-styles-for-springsummer/

A Break Down of the Colour Trends: 6. Orange

"Orange is the new black! From vibrant shades that scream "look at me" to pretty pastels that are just peachy, we've seen it all at New York Fashion Week. Designer Joanna Mastroianni featured flirty dresses and easy separates in eye-popping shades of tangerine." www.onthefashion.blogspot.co.uk

(Image sourced from www.onthefashion.blogspot.co.uk)

Orange is the new black - we first heard it in reference to the new hit TV series based on a true story of a woman imprisoned and now it stands as a valid statement referring to this spring summer colour palette. Mainly seen on model's faces or feet in the form of tangerine lipstick and vibrant orange footwear this colour is everywhere. We love it clashed with pink in a total neon themed outfit or used as an accent colour with a perspex box clutch, lip and sandal. 

1. Riva Barbados £65

2. Fitflop Aztek Chada £65

3. Van Dal Selma £65

4. Fitflop Flora £65

5. Josef Seibel Caspian £65 (we threw a yellow in for good measure!)

Orange is the great back drop for gold or bronze detailing - think orange footwear with statement Aztec gold or bronze jewellery for a real summery vibe.

More about the colour Orange 

Orange, as a combination of yellow and red is known as an energetic colour evoking feelings of warmth and and excitement. 

"Orange brings up images of autumn leaves, pumpkins, and (in combination with Black) Halloween. It represents the changing seasons so in that sense it is a colour on the edge, the colour of change between the heat of summer and the cool of winter" (orange colour meanings from about.com).

Lighter more peachy shades of orange are associated with summer while deeper, richer shades of orange are linked to late autumn. The colour orange has been know to engage peoples interest and get their attention in a less aggressive way than red does. 

So that rounds off our break down of this seasons colour collection;  if you can't decide which colour you like most opt for all the colours and keep the outfit plain, its fun to be eccentric sometimes! 

HB 282 £110

A Break Down of the Colour Trends: 4. Ruby Red

"Fervent hues of red ignited the catwalks in London, Paris and Milan during the Spring Summer 2014 collections. From silken tailoring to knitwear, red fiercely burned in many shades ranging from warmer berry nuances to coral and even verging on hot pink." www.swide.com

(Image sourced from http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/article/TMG10326567/Milan-Fashion-Week-Dolce-and-Gabbana-springsummer-2014.html)

Bold, bright red adds vibrancy and depth to a spring/summer wardrobe - bling it up with gold detailing for a luxurious and ethnic vibe or mix it with key pastel tones for a beautiful summer explosion of colour. Clash reds with oranges and pinks for that real wow factor. 

1. Gabor 83.700 £59.99

2. HB 233 £110

3. Rieker 40054 £57

4. HB 389 £75

5. Gabor 84.235 £75

This rich vibrant red goes just as well with summer tones as it will with your greys and blacks when the short nights set in (yes I know its depressing, we haven't even had summer yet but justification for new shoes is a must!).

(Image sourced from http://www.swide.com/style-fashion/mens-trends/trend-review-menswear-spring-summer-2014-milan-london-paris-photo-gallery/2013/07/02)

You don't have to be an avid fashion follower to add a bit of red to your summer wardrobe; go for a red jumper or red shoes for a splash of colour without heading into that 'look at me' danger zone that those of you that stick to darker less noticeable colours might worry about!

In-store we have this sumptuous suede offering from Rieker £59.99  - lightweight and perfect with darker trousers and a light top. 

More about the colour red

The colour red evokes strong feelings and emotions; it can be portrayed as aggressive and angry or it can be associated with emotion and love. 

When thinking about the psychology of colour and how others may perceive those colours it is important to focus on the situation; for example as said before red can be seen as an aggressive colour therefore wearing it for an interview or initial meeting might not be such a good idea!

The meaning of colours can also differ throughout various cultures; in some cultures, red denotes purity, joy, and celebration. Red is the colour of happiness and prosperity in China and may be used to attract good luck.

Is red your colour this season? Let us know how you style this vivacious colour.

A Break Down of the Colour Trends: 3. Cobalt Blue

Bold blocks of bright colours juxtaposed against this seasons creamy pastels injects vibrancy inspired by holidays to exotic foreign paradises.....but enough about that; here's our blog series of this seasons bright bold colours:

(Image sourced from http://thestore.com/blog/3-striking-ways-to-add-the-cobalt-blue-trend-to-your-spring-wardrobe/)

We've seen it before and we'll see it again: cobalt blue is big this season which is excellent news for us all because cobalt blue is one of those magical colours that goes with all skin types and hair colours meaning you can be on trend without feeling out of your comfort zone.Whether your going head to toe matchy matchy or sticking to bright accessories this trend is easy to wear whatever the occasion. 

1. HB 134 £75

2. Gabor 84.169 £75

3. Pedro Miralles 4302 £85

4. Converse 542518 £44.95

5. HB 233 £110

6. Pedro Miralles 6406 £95

7. Riva Snapper £79.95

True blues add a breezy feel to outfits use cobalt blues as a statement colour and highlight it with a matching bag or piece of jewellery; use a brighter powdery blue to tie together floaty materials with lighter shades and mix tones of blue for easy summer glamour. 

(Image sourced from http://www.swide.com/style-fashion/mens-trends/trend-review-menswear-spring-summer-2014-milan-london-paris-photo-gallery/2013/07/02)

Cobalt blue is as popular on the men's catwalk as it is on the women's which is no surprise really as mentioned before it is such a wearable colour. 

1. Merrell Barefoot Walker £80

2. Steptronic Daimler £95

3. Josef Seibel Gatteo 06 £75

Blue is definitely a very workable colour for men of any age and any fashion caliber in smart or casual styles. Looks simply divine with white or beige trousers and goes nicely with jeans for a very "put together" look (even if its not!). 

More about the colour Blue

Blue is a cool, calming colour associated with serenity, holidays, water and bathrooms (when it comes to painting!). Blue can also create feelings of sadness and aloofness but is seen by some as a strong colour, possibly due to its natural link with the male population. 

Blue evokes importance and confidence without seeming too harsh or forthright - one of the reasons why police uniforms are blue and blue suits are known to be worn by the 'power players' of the world. 

What does blue mean to you?

The Colour Palette for Spring Summer 2014 - Women

Once again we take a look at the colour reports from Pantone to see which colours are big this season and where we can reuse items in our wardrobes to nail the trends. 

(Image sourced from here)

We think the colours for this Spring Summer are great, there are almost two categories; the pastel tones which freshen up outfits and look perfect with whites and the bold bright colours which inject a fun and flirty feel. Some of these colours we have seen before, the dazzling blue for example is close the the cobalt blue that was so popular last year, lets hope you hung on to those pieces! The Paloma and Sand are fantastic base colours that'll easily see you through to next season and are versatile enough to fit into your current wardrobe. 

Here' what Pantone say about this seasons colour palette: 

"Designers take a modern twist on the traditional for spring 2014 by pairing soft pastels with vivid brights to create a colorful equilibrium. Inspired by a mixture of blooming flowers, travels abroad and strong, confident women, designers use color to refresh, revive and defy conventional wisdom.

"This season, consumers are looking for a state of thoughtful, emotional and artistic equilibrium," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "While this need for stability is reflected in the composition of the palette, the inherent versatility of the individual colors allows for experimentation with new looks and color combinations." 

Three very adaptable pastels sit on one end of the palette, and, because we are so accustomed to seeing them as nature's background, they can be creatively combined with any other color in the spectrum. Placid Blue, like a picture-perfect, tranquil and reassuring sky, induces a sense of peaceful calmness, while Violet Tulip, a romantic, vintage purple, evokes wistful nostalgia. Similar to the verdant shade of springtime foliage, Hemlock, a summery, ornamental green, provides a decorative touch that's very different from the greens of recent seasons. Pair any of these versatile pastels with a bolder hue for an au courant look.

Sand, a lightly toasted and amiable neutral, conjures images of the beach and the carefree days of summer. Try pairing Sand with Hemlock for perfect, natural balance. Paloma serves as a quintessential neutral, interesting enough to be worn alone or combined with any color for sophisticated poise.

Cayenne, a high-pitched red, adds a dash of spicy heat to neutrals, and heightens the excitement when mixed with Freesia, a blazing yellow that is sure to illuminate wardrobes this season. A tropical, floral-inspired shade, Freesia's warmth and energy help set the stage for Celosia Orange, an optimistic, spontaneous hue. Pair Celosia Orange with Violet Tulip for a captivating vision, much like the setting summer sun.

The palette is brought full circle with Radiant Orchid, a bold counterpart to Violet Tulip, and Dazzling Blue,a scintillating, polar opposite to Placid Blue. Surprisingly, these strong, vibrant colors also pair well across the palette: They are perfect companions to pastels, and add confidence and vivacity when mixed with other bold colors.(www.pantone.co.uk)"

What you can expect from Hoads this season to ensure you are perfectly on trend even if just with your footwear as after-all; the shoes really do make the outfit!

• Tonal colouring on multiple strapped sandals and wedges alike;

• Pastels shades for canvas days out and that extra bit of sparkle detail for a more dressy occasion;

• Bright, vibrant hues that evoke a feeling of warm summer holidays and lazy BBQ evenings;

• The classic driving moccasins and loafers with a modern twist of bright colours, tassels and pattern details. 

Whatever your looking for this spring summer, look for it at Hoads.