Brogue Yourself

"She had been looking at shoes. Not just looking, more examining them under her microscope, for she blew up their myriad details by 500 per cent via the digi-printer to human sized proportions. The punched-out holes of a lustrous brown brogue became the chest section of a dress; a brass buckle was recast as a belt; tassels on a traditional man’s golfing shoe became a curtain of patent pleated panels on the front of a short dress or layers of pleats on the hip of a skirt." 
www.elleuk.com commenting on Mary Katrantzou's SS14 collection 

(Image sourced from www.lwcloset.com)

Now here at Hoad's its no secret that we ADORE brogues (and clearly so does Mary Katrantzou, making our tastes high up there with the fashion goddesses, or so I keep telling myself); I simply cannot think of an occasion that a brogue would not work at (OK sliiight exaggeration!). Anyway, brogues can take on a whole new lease of life when produced in different colours and textures so without further ado I present to you our spring summer 2014 brogue selection:

Clarks Hamble Oak £54.99

A great example of how a mixture of textured leathers can transform the masculine brogue styling to a smart and girly alternative to a pump.

HB 5756 £125

Part of the brogue family but not full on brogue; a more casual way to rock the brogue is in this suede and textured leather tassel loafer.

Ecco 631134 £120

Ecco full suede brogues are perfect for the summer; not too heavy to wear at the weekend in your casuals or linens but smart enough to wear with a suit.

Steptronic Floyd £110

TWO TONE SUEDE BROGUE yes I must write in capitals as I love it that much! This shoe is stunning - different to your usual work or casual brogue but bang on trend and not too loud. Just wait until you put this shoe on - you will start wanting to write about it with caps lock firmly on! 

Do you love brogues us much as us? Let us know!

Laser Cut Shoes

(Image sourced from paperblog,com)

Laser cut shoes are another popular trend for this spring summer which means your feet can look pretty while also being aerated in those oh so many hot summer days we get here (always the practical thinker, and optimist!). 

"When you want to spice up an outfit, opt for a pair of visually intriguing laser cut shoes. These statement-worthy pieces add a splash of pizazz to any ensemble, and make a simple outfit come to life." blogher.com

Here's our collection that made the cut this season:

Clarks Henderson Silk £50

White on white and metallic shimmer are perfect for the party season with comfort padded insoles and laser cut detail. 

Fitflop Flora £65

Fitflop Flora are bang on trend with their bright vibrant colours and laser cut detail to the upper.

Gabor 84.169 £75

Gabor have brought out these fun square laser cute pumps in a variety of colours that are key for this season completed with their hovercraft sole unit for all day comfort. 

Gabor 86.094 £75

A variation on Gabor's classic California moccasin updated in pastel tones with laser cut detailing to the tongue area.

Rieker 40078 £49.99

Rieker have added a bit of girly glamour to this basic blue loafer.

Rieker Z9415 £57

Pastel pink boot with stud detail and laser cut flower pattern perfect for the summer.

Van Dal Monteray £68

With an espadrille sole unit and laser cut flower uppers this Van Dal summer shoe is perfect for any occasion.

Van Dal Selma £65

A peep toe sling back with slight laser cut detail adds interest and glamour to this simply cut shoe.

Van Dal Tahoe £75

Metallic toe caps mix perfectly with the laser cut flower detail on these cute and feminine comfort padded ballet pumps.

Will you embrace the laser cut trend this season?

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. 

A Break Down of the Colour Trends: 5. Hot Pink

"Pink was the standout colour at London Fashion Week with many of the designers displaying pink in their collections, including Burberry, Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, Temperley London, J. J. S. Lee, Antonio Berardi and Eudon Choi. The shade of pink varied from catwalk to catwalk; while paler shades were seen on the most catwalks, neons caused a stir at the Preen by Thornton Bregazzi show." www.theguardian.com

  

(Images sourced from www.mydaily.co.uk and www.stylenest.co.uk)

This season pink is back but works best as a single standout piece or mixed in with various pink shades for an entire gloriously girly offering. Mix pinks with different layers, textures and accessories to build a fabulous wardrobe around a single colour. Works equally as well with staple wardrobe items like jeans and whites - think linens, chiffon and and satin to give your outfits interest and depth when sticking to one colour.  

1. Clarks Raffi Magic £54.99

2. HB 437l £69

3. Riva Barbados £65

4. Gabor 84.169 £75

5. Clarks Perfect Laugh £54.99

Hot pink works well for any occasion, laid back summer comfort or full on opera glamour there's an option for every eventuality. 

More about the colour pink

Pink is essentially a lighter red (in the colour spectrum) therefore it also takes on connotations of love, romance and emotion but in a much softer fashion. Lighter pink shades have been known for their calming properties and darker pink shades for their evoking of excitement and joy. 

Pink is known to be associated with cancer ribbons; in this situation it portrays the urge to fight and be strong, it implies unity and hope. In many cultures pink is mainly a girly colour associated with "sugar and spice and everything nice" however it is often displayed on men's catwalks just less frequently. 

Is pink your colour? How and when have you worn it?

A Break Down of the Colour Trends: 2. Metallic

(Image sourced from http://www.mydaily.co.uk/2013/09/27/christian-dior-paris-fashion-week-spring-summer-2014/#!slide=aol_1250288)

Shine in this seasons metallic trend; instead of going head to toe pick pieces that can be worn as everyday items mixed with flatter, tonal colours for a hint of that metallic shimmer. For party-wear metallic jacquard print on clothes is a must; follow by metallic jewellery or footwear to really make your outfit pop.

Clarks Arizona Heat a simple metallic effect leather ballet pump.

Laid back metallic in the Clarks Dunbar Racer moccasin 

Breezy cut out detail in another metallic finish pump, the Clarks Henderson Silk

Studs and a metallic finish - think maxi dresses and loose curls for a Grecian inspired look with the Clarks Roya Hannah

Every day comfort flipflop with fashion inspired metallic uppers, who said comfort and fashion didn't come hand in hand?! Gabor mule

A casual take on the metallic cut out trend in this Gabor pump

The elegant shape and fun multi layered bow detail finish these HB metallic pumps off to perfection

Chasing the kids around and walking the dog never looked so glamorous in these Josef Seibel lace up leather trainers 

The beauty is in the detail - plaited metallic uppers on a slight heel this Van Dal sandal has summer events written all over it.

And if full on metallic footwear isn't your thing - utilise metallic detailing for a simple and elegant nod to the trend:

Subtle metallic trim along the heel ensures effortless glamour in these HB sandals 

The party is at the front of these shoes (shocking mullet reference) with metallic strap detail in Pedro Miralles' slightly wedged sandal 

And finishing us off; you know how we love a toe cap (Previous blog here) and these Van Dal cut out pumps look fabulously flirty in these light summer shades. 

Do you think you'll dip your toes into the luxurious metallic trend this summer?

A Break Down of the Colour Trends : 1. Pastels

(Image sourced from http://stylefrizz.com/201309/sandals-youll-need-spring-summer-2014-burberry-ss14/)

Pastel shades are one of the first things that springs to mind when thinking of summery days, warm evenings and holidays. Although we expect many of you have pastel shades in your summer wardrobes from previous seasons if you want to update your selection without spending too much money add a pastel shoe and transform your summer look.

Here is what we have in the way of pastel shades for spring summer 2014 for the women:

Starting with this pale pink patent effect ballet pump from Clarks, this shade of pink is just bright enough to add depth to an outfit without being too garish or obvious. Perfect with white jeans, summer dresses and floaty skirts and at a fabulous price of £29.99. Buy here

Sticking with pink is this stunning HB suede and leather pump with baby blue piping detail and bow to the front. The addition of the pastel blue adds interest and elegance to this simple little pump, perfect for a dressy occasion where a heel just would not do. Buy here

On to a more casual affair with the spring pastel Converse available in mint green, pale purple and pastel spotted. Converse canvas lace ups suit all ages and are the perfect every day run around shoe, lightweight and comfortable. Buy here

Comfortable feet are important throughout the year but in the summer with the (potential) heat it feels even more so. This year Gabor have brought out a variation on their fantastically comfortable and popular moccasin (previous blog about them here) in pastel shades with cut out detail for decoration and to keep the feet nice and cool in the summer. Made on a slightly wider last to enable the feet to spread out and remain comfortable for the duration on the wear. Buy them here

A mixture of comfortable casual and smart in this Rieker heeled sandal, made on a plush padded sole unit to keep feel happy with a touch of sparkle to keep the eyes happy! Tonal pastel shading on the uppers adds interest and helps mate with a multitude of outfits and occasions. Available here 

Now moving on the the classic spring summer colour, BEIGE. Not much needs to be said about how versatile and classically pretty beige can be so we'll let the shoes do (most of) the talking:

Masculine yet pretty the Clarks Hamble Oak in nude.

A wooden effect sole unit ensures this fits into any occasion.  

Cut out detail brings this Clarks Henderson Silk pump to life while the comfort padded removable insole ensures comfy feet for those long summer BBQ's

Three dressy options from Gabor all for very different occasions; update your spring work wardrobe with the suede pointed toe heel above, be comfortable yet stylish at a wedding or summer party in the square toe patent option or opt for the suede heeled sandal for a lighter affair. 

 HB 353

HB 5756

Two variations on the classic moccasin from HB; textured leather adds a point of difference to both while the brogue detailing and tassel detail takes this loafer from pounding the streets of London to office chic with tailored trousers and a crisp white shirt. 

Peep toe - tick; sling back - tick; beige - tick; patent - tick. What more could you want from a summer heeled sandal apart from the addition of a patent and suede bow?! Buy now

An option on the pink ballet pump mentioned above if pink is just not your thing. The addition of green means this pump will easily take you into the colder months. 

A flat every day sandal for those ladies that love a bit of bling (and who doesn't?!)

Snake skin effect toughens up this girly ballet pump making the transition from spring summer to autumn winter that little bit easier! 

With inspiration from the loved smoking slipper this ballet pump come moccasin has an air of sophistication to it with the textured leather and elongated toe. Edging on the masculine side this shoe ticks all the boxes. 

Finishing on this stunning suede peep toe heel perfect for parties and weddings alike. Mix with certain shades and this heel takes on an almost lilacy tone, stick with white and it sits perfectly in the beige crowd but find the right material and you could almost believe this shoe belongs in the pink family. Treated with Van Dal's Iron Mask technology means this shoe is as happy in the rain as it is in the sunshine, unfortunately weather gods if you are listening we are not! Buy here