Back to School Shopping Guide: 5 Hot Fall 2011 Shoe Trends
If you’ve been keeping up with CF over the past few weeks, you’ll know we’ve been showcasing the best in fall fashion in order to prep you for the upcoming change of seasons. We’ve informed you about the hottest fall 2011 fashion trends, clued you in on the hottest fall colors, shown you some cute back-to-school handbags and told you all about fall’s most popular denim styles. So, what’s up next? Shoes, of course!
It seems like autumn was just made for sporting cute shoes, and this year’s offerings are definitely of the cute variety. There are SO many awesome styles out right now — you’ll definitely want to pick up a new pair of shoes or two for fall!
Want to learn more about Fall 2011′s best shoe trends? Read on to discover five of fall’s hottest footwear trends as well as our top picks for back-to-school shoe shopping:
1. Heeled Loafers
After being featured heavily on the Fall 2011 runways, all things menswear-inspired are hot for fall. Shoes, of course, are no exception. The trendiest type of menswear-inspired footwear for fall is the heeled loafer.
These shoes have the same masculine look as loafers, but with the feminine shape of a pair of pumps — such a fresh take on a classic! We think they’re super-versatile too. You can dress them down with a pair of jeans or pair them with your favorite dress for a pretty nighttime look.
Top: Charles Albert Loafer- Piperlime, Slip-On Loafer- Endless, Jalisa Pump- JCPenney
Middle: Bishop Pump- Nordstrom, Plaid Loafer- DSW, Penny Pump- Endless
Bottom: Loafa Pump- DSW, Ambure Pump- DSW, Blue Loafer- H&M
2. Wedge Ankle Boots
Boots are always a popular choice for fall, but this season is all about the wedge ankle bootie. These are definitely the kind of boots you want to show off! Tuck them into your favorite pair of jeans or pair them with a skirt or dress à la Quinn Fabray to make a stylish statement.
Want to up the style quotient another notch? Look for lace-up or buckled wedge booties, as both embellishments are über-trendy at the moment.
Top: Gretchen Wedged Bootie- DSW, Pirnie Boot- Aldo Shoes, Innis Ankle Boot- Endless
Middle: Allo Side Zip Boot- ASOS, Virtual Ankle Boots- Zappos, Tenley Lace-up Wedge Boot- Payless
Bottom: Wedged Ankle Boots- Zara, Malibu Creek Wedge- ModCloth, Coylar Ankle Boot- Aldo Shoes
3. Suede Flats
Looking for a not-so-basic pair of flats? Try a pair in this season’s must-have fabric: suede. This soft and pretty material makes for a great pair of stylish flats that will carry you throughout the fall and winter.
There are so many options out there right now in regards to colors and styles, so you’re sure to find your perfect pair! And of course, whether you choose a real or faux suede, you’ll have a pair of luxe and comfortable shoes for fall.
Top: Grey Velvet Suede Flats- Zappos, Leona Flats- Piperlime, Green Pointed Ballet Flat- Zara
Middle: Katy Suede Bow Flats- Lord & Taylor, Forever & Evergreen Flats- ModCloth, Lianna Flats- Endless
Bottom: Blue Suede Flats- H&M, Purple Velvet Suede Flats- Zappos, Knotted Faux Suede Flats- Wet Seal
4. Stacked Heels
If you’re a girl who likes classic-yet-trendy pieces, you’ll probably love stacked heels. In case you didn’t know, stacked heels are shoes that give the illusion of thin layers of stacked wood (hence the name) and you’ll be seeing them e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e this fall.
Whether you like ankle boots, cowboy boots, wedges or pumps, there’s a stack-heeled equivalent available in stores right now. Also, since these shoes have a chunkier heel than average, they’re the perfect choice if you aren’t a seasoned pro at walking in high heels.
Top: Stacked Heel Pumps- L.L. Bean, Studded Oxford Heels- Forever 21, Side-Zip Booties- AEO
Middle: Suede Boots- H&M, Made in the Suede Wedge- ModCloth, Knee-High Boots- H&M
Bottom: Short Cowboy Boots- Wet Seal, Sueded Oxford Boots- Old Navy, Sadee Pump- DSW
5. Leopard Print
Want to stand out in a sea of solid-colored shoes? Check out some footwear adorned in one of this season’s “it” prints: leopard!
If you’re looking to create a bold look or just want to add a little something extra to an everyday outfit, leopard print is the way to do it. Plus, with all of the cute styles out right now, it’s hard not to find a pair of leopard shoes that matches your personal aesthetic:
Top: Leopard Loafer- Delia’s, Leopard Bow Flats- Tilly’s, Emmie Ballet Flat- Lucky Brand
Middle: Leopard Heels- DSW, Suedette Leopard Wedges- Forever 21, Pointed Pumps- Dorothy Perkins
Bottom: Lace-Up Pumps- Forever 21, Leopard Print Flats- Forever 21, T-Strap Platform Wedges- LuLu’s
Your thoughts?
What do you think of these fall 2011 shoe trends? Which ones do you like best? Any trends you’ll be skipping this fall? Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below!
Posted on on September 4, 2011 / Filed Under: Trends / Tags: Back to School Shopping, Boots, Fall 2011, Featured, Flats, leopard print, Loafers, Menswear-Inspired, Shoes, Stacked Heels, Suede, Wedges
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maxine
I already own black wedge boots and I have the exact oxford stacked heel from forever 21.
Someone
Actually, In case YOU don’t know, stacked heels have nothing to do with wood.
Back before everything was mass-produced cheaply out of plastics, shoes were made ENTIRELY of leather, including the soles and heels. High-end shoes are still made of all leather, and the quality/comfort/health difference is HUGE. We ordinary folk could still afford real shoes up until the 60s when things changed for the worse.
Anyway, a real stacked heel was made by stacking layers of leather to build up a heel. The fake stacked heels of today just have printed coverings laminated on to imitate the look. So nowadays, a “stacked heel” means nothing but a heel covered with a striated, neutral tan color print.
Ashley - Flagler College
@someone- I didn’t say that stacked heels were made of actual wood, I just meant they gave the illusion of it– guess I should have been clearer. Thanks for the fashion history lesson though!
Callie
I love, love, love the ankle boots and stacked heels! These are two styles that are so easy to sport on campus and won’t kill my feet running between classes and my on-campus job. Those tall, brown H&M boots might just be making it to my back-to-school shopping list. Thanks for sharing! These are perfect!
Caitlin
This post couldn’t have come at a more perfect time – I’m about to head out the door to go shopping for shoes! I’m loving the stacked heels, I’m looking to add a new pair of ankle boots to my fall wardrobe. Thanks for this!
Sasha
Heeled loafers are so unattractive and awkward looking! Some suede flats would be awesome though. Also, JCrew had the most adorable leopard print flats the other day, I might just get them.
Fab Fashion Daily
What a fabulous post! I’m loving all the trends for fall 2011–I especially love the penny loafer pumps–Madewell has a penny loafer pump which I love!
Demmy
I kinda had a hunch that suede shoes will be hot during Fall. I like everything except the heeled loafers though :)
Danielle
love it! i’ve been trying to find some affordable, leopard print brougues, and I am still on the hunt!
Samantha
I have super-small feet, which makes it hard for me to buy shoes, but I did get a pair of leopard-print heels at KMart, which carries my size! Super cute.
Allie
You forgot boat shoes! They’re my favorite fall shoe trend. They incorporate the menswear trend that’s been going on for a while now but they are casual & comfortable like converse and come in so many cute styles.
Considering 3/5 of the shoes in this article are heels, which are often impractical for walking around campus while wearing a 30 lb backpack and considering how detrimental flats are for your feet, it would have been great to see some more practical fall shoe trends. You should make a continuation of this article with 5 more trends that are more campus inclined!
Tiffany
What a great collection of shoes you compiled. I love the heeled loafers. I’m gonna have to go get a pair. :-)
Freedom
I bought one pair of shoes that incorporates all these trends at once! Its a leopard print loafer pumps with a stacked heel:)
dancergrl94
I defenitly bought some leapord print flats yesterday…so cute!
I’m also a big fan of the suede flats. I got a purple pair and a grey peep toe pair last year so I will be pulling those out again.
Holly
Heeled loafer: No.
Wedge ankle boots: Yes, if the wedge is 3″ or less.
Suede flats: Yes.
Stacked heel: Yes, but only in small feminine shapes (like the last shoe).
Leopard print: Only inside my purse…
Paro
Booties seem to be a fall/Autumn staple. Love them!
Don’t like the healed loafers though. My fav in this list is suede flats and wedge booties..definitely on my shopping list!
Alejandra
Love the wedge heel trend! I got the khaki colored pair from payless and they’re fabulous! I saw the grey ones (kelsi dagger) at tj max about a month ago and I did not purchase them and now i kinda regret it.
Dika
Wow,i love your shoe collections.i have a heeled loafers. guess i would get the stacked heels. I think i wuld prefer leopard prints on my dresses.lol!