It’s hip to be square as 90s shoe style enjoys a comeback
BY KATIE WRIGHT FASHION has already stepped back to the 90s with crop tops, chokers, bucket hats and backpacks – and now square-toed shoes have returned, too.
The first stirrings of flat-ended footwear came last year, with brands like Jil Sander and Toga including squared-off boots and Mary Janes in their collections.
But the trend really started to take off on Instagram as style bloggers paired stubby leather mules and boots with cropped trousers and culottes (another 90s favourite that’s back in a big way). Suddenly, we saw the cool-girl appeal of angular-soled slip-ons.
Now, as the spring collections start to land on the high street, it’s clear that the only sandals to be seen in this year are the kind with totally flat fronts.
We’re talking the sort of strappy stilettos that Carrie Bradshaw and co wore in the early days of Sex and the City – and you get extra points if they’ve got a chunky heel, too.
Not sure you’re ready to embrace the pre-millennial shoe look yet? Maybe you remember it first time around and you were glad to see the back of the oblong oddities?
In that case, there are some more subtle styles with a tapered toe that might float your boat.
And because we haven’t actually reached sandal weather yet (far from it), there are some fashionforward boots and cool court shoes in the shops now that will see you through to the end of winter.
Here’s our round-up – or should that be square up? – of the best square-toed shoes in the shops this season… Topshop hurricane high ankle boots, Marks and Spencer square toe sandals, Zara red leather square heel ankle boots, New Look orange suedette square toe two-part sandals, £19.99 JD Williams square heel crossover mules, Office seaweed sandals, Other Stories square toe woven heels, £89