manager_1 You can safely toast the season by dressing up for a holiday party or just because.
According to Nina – a brand that is synonymous with festive footwear – sales of the label’s heels increased by a remarkable 95% in stores and 145% online compared to 2020. Nina Miner, Chief Creative Director, attributes the rise to the increased optimism consumers have for 2022. According to Miner, dressing up in your most elegant going-out outfit, complete with a pair of exquisitely-fancy shoes can boost your mood. She says, “We designed our shoes with the goal of making your event extra special and bringing out the confidence in you.” No surprise that Nina’s most popular shoes are those with embellishments made of high-shine materials and crystals.
Marina Larroude, a spokesperson for Larroude, says that while there is always a rise in interest in “sparkly” footwear around the holidays, this season she has noticed that customers gravitate to our most whimsical styles because they are ready to have some fun again. “In real life, and in their outfits.”
In addition to dressing for a burst of serotonin, the return of award show red carpets in 2021, is a major driving force in popularizing .Bratz-like styles. According to Alison Stiefel, ShopStyle’s General Manager, platforms have been embraced by celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Lil Nas X. They are the most popular heel style on ShopStyle, up 35% [from last year]”, she said. This style is great for transitioning from heels to sneakers as it offers more comfort than a stiletto and makes a big statement. The widely-anticipated Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That, which saw the return of Manolo Blahnik’s crystal-encrusted Hangisi pump, among other can’t-miss designer styles, may also have something to do with the comeback of statement shoes.
If towering high heels and shin splints-inducing platforms aren’t your thing, this season’s party shoes come in the form of metallic block-heel boots, crystal-adorned flats, and retro kitten heels that also make for serious eye candy without sacrificing comfort. “Design details such as sparkles and metallics make every shoe feel festive, no matter if it’s a heel or flat. “I have been wearing our Pierre slipper in velvet, satin and knit, with a crystal bow at the top,” Larroude said. “It has been worn for all my holiday parties because I want to look chic and comfortable this holiday season.”
These flashier looks can be styled by making the party shoe the center of attention. A boldly colored boot or knee-grazing metallic boot instantly elevates the it factor of a simple LBD. A rhinestone-encrusted mule adds a fun touch to an elegant evening gown. Chain-adorned loafers can instantly make casual denim look more polished.
Party shoe season is upon us. What style of shoe will you choose?
