Step into summer with the hybrid shoe trend | Lifestyle.INQ

OCTOBER 27, 2022

The “sneak-drille” from Rihanna’s latest sneaker drop for Puma. Image: Courtesy of Fenty x Puma via AFP Relaxnews

Finding your summer sole-mate just got easier. Espadrilles, sandals, flats, sneakers with appeal; there’s just so many on-trend styles to choose from. Footwear labels are coming up with shoes that tick all the right boxes for indecisive shoppers.

Casual or dressy, classy or edgy, such style conundrums are a thing of the past. Luxury labels and activewear footwear brands are meeting in the middle to offer customers highly desirable two-in-one designs.

Think sandal meets espadrille. A love match made in heaven, as demonstrated by model of the moment Emily Ratajkowski whose buzzed about espa-heels stole the show last month at Cannes. The burgundy and black espadrille-inspired wraparound canvas heels by Altuzarra gave the polarizing shoe trend extra mileage. Following in the model’s fashionable footsteps will set you back $556.

Strategically-placed cut-outs, sling backs, moccasin tassels, espadrille toe caps, lacing, creeper soles, bows and ballerina-style ribbon ankle trim are being combined with closed-toe designs to create a new generation of hybrid footwear that is perfect for the warmer season.

Ready? Set? Step on it.

Ballet-inspired maxi espa-wedges from Marni. Image: Courtesy of Fenty x Puma via AFP Relaxnews

Chic British heritage label Mulberry are also taking the form-meets-function trend onboard. The Jump Fringe sneaker ($395), a sporty calf-skin brogues with fringe detailing and a chunky molded sole was the focus of one of the brand’s latest tweets.

Following on from the fringed loafer slip-ons from Marni’s 2016 collection, mesh-paneled neoprene Velcro “sneakdals” and ballerina-style maxi “espa-wedges” are the latest arty entries to grace the Italian label’s highly-covetable shoe line.

Puma’s bow creeper sandals ($140) from Rihanna’s inaugural footwear drop, are another example of this season’s hottest and most wearable footwear options.

The springtime creepers from the Fenty collection are sassed up with espadrille styling and a decadent bow for a gym-meets Marie-Antoinette vibe. Style them low or wear them high up on your ankles, Puma’s hybrid shoe, which comes in three ballet-inspired color ways, offers sneaker fans a fresh, warmer weather day-to-evening look. JB

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