Trends for Shoes Accessories Summer 2008

Trends for Shoes Accessories Summer 2008

There are exciting new trends in shoe accessories for the summer of 2008. Moreover, you will see a glut of attractive shoe designs at affordable high st. prices.

Here are some examples of shoe accessories you might find when shopping. Start by choosing Gladiator sandals or platform shoes with Grecian ankle straps. Alternatively, buy designer look, cut out wedge heels, vivid bold brightly coloured shoes or floral, patterned and animal print footwear. You could also choose from contrast piped shoes, two tone heels and toe caps, suede, patent and laser cut out lace leather pumps. Or, put on the glitz and opt for jewel gemstone stud effects and colourful bead button fastenings.

For summer 2008 the high street shoe shops have a treat in store for women as they add their latest shoe fashion trends. Look for outrageous heights in heels, interesting wedge styles and eye popping shots of colour. To sum up - there is shoe fashion trend choice, and more choice, with classic styles, lower heels, and absolute flats.

These three shoe accessories are just a sample of the many designs available for Spring and Summer 2008.

Above Left - Shoe 1 - Red Herring Gladiator Sandal
Above Right - Shoe 2 - TRIBE Range - Stud ankle strap style Lante
Bottom Right - Shoe 3 - Faith Footwear - Style 'Holdin' Wedge in red/black/grey/cork

Heel Envy

Heel Envy

In summer 2008 shoes of any style, any heel shape, from curving stiletto, solid cone, wedge, or ultra flat are equally acceptable. The selection of available flat or low footwear is good. Of course you can always buy your shoes online if you are fully aware of your sizing in a particular brand. Check the online store size guide to ensure you understand their sizing and find out if it is using British, Continental or American measurements.

Left to right:- Shoes 4, 5, 6 - Details below

Left - Shoe 4 - Clat platform animal print shoes with red heel and red platform sole
Centre - Shoe 5 - A show stopper Mary Jane shoe - Nanny's Treasure.
Right - Shoe 6 - Shelly's Joanne red high sandal.

More novel styles are now a norm in UK high street ranges, like Faith footwear, who have designer led selections that are hot on trend. They sell for example, a designer range of shoes with complex styling and currently have some great wedges with cut out heels. Until recent times, only exclusive high end designer footwear brands stocked such to die for shoe temptations. Right - Shoe 7 - 'Nine West' white wedge with cut out heel available from John Lewis.

Pattern and Print in Shoes Summer 2008

Pattern and Print in Shoes Summer 2008

Left to right:- Shoes 8, 9, 10 - Details below

Wedge and chunky cone heels demand attention. Printed pattern footwear whether it be stripes, florals or patchwork is often set against raffia wedges, wooden, or Perspex heels. Gold, silver and bronze footwear is now mainstream, even for daywear. Shoe 8 centre above, is also available in silver.

Left - Shoe 8 - Basket weave raffia floral wedge shoe
Centre - Shoe 9 - J Jeans by Jasper Conran shoes
Right - Shoe 10 - Patchwork wedge shoe Cuba,

Ombre and Dye Effects in Shoes

Ombre and Dye Effects in Shoes

Pattern and print are not the only interesting aspects of fashion trends in modern shoes. Taking a cue from the catwalk, shoe manufacturers have introduced some lively ombre and tie dye effect shoes.

Far Right - Shoe 11 - Ombre dye patent yellow and coral shoe

It Shoes on the High Street

It Shoes on the High Street

It feels as if 'It shoes' have at last really arrived on the high street.

This is not surprising, since retailers who have survived the pace of fast fashion changes have had to adapt to fresh ideas and produce designer led footwear styles.

Demise of Dolcis Shoe Shops

Demise of Dolcis Shoe Shops

Dolcis, the UK high st. shoes and bags chain, disregarded the change in consumer habits for must-have desires and so lagged behind general fast fashion retailers. In January 2008, it found itself in administration and since then a deal was reached where the Dolcis shoe brand name has been sold on to another footwear retailer. A year or so ago the same fate happened to the famous Stead and Simpson brand.

In the past 25 years the general clothing retailers have slowly all introduced footwear. These clothing fashion retailers have eaten into the traditional shoe shop market of yesteryear. Now a high proportion of UK footwear is sold through clothing chains like New Look who pander to both a mass acceptable price point and a high fashion look. The demand for footwear has not fallen, but the demand for high fashion inexpensive footwear has increased.

Coloured Shoes

Coloured Shoes

Just like all the brightly coloured bags in a store near you now, brightly colours for shoes and sandals are prominent in every footwear range. Bright colour can also be patterned.

Patchwork Shoes

Patchwork Shoes

This high end designer Dolce&Gabbana patchwork shoe (Style 12), near right, features some of the main fashion colours for spring 2008 and utilise orchid pink and crocus tones. The high street alternative includes these Aegean blue patchwork style shoes (Style 13) from the New Look Spring Summer 2008 Accessories & Footwear range.

New Look is one of the major sellers of footwear in the UK, with most shoes. A change of shoe lace to black, might make these blue shoes look even more similar to the Dolce&Gabbana designer version.

The blue shoe boots are not a precise copy, but a great look-alike pair of shoes that have picked up on what might become a major shoe fashion trend.

Bold Contrasts in Summer Shoes 2008

Bold Contrasts in Summer Shoes 2008

The colours for spring and summer 2008 are bold and strong even in sedate styles. Orchid pink, yellow, and red footwear is readily available in many styles. Right - Shoe group 14 - New Look Footwear

Strong contrasts in a shoe mean that black is important when teamed with white for monochrome looks. This can be just a simple piped, white edge to a black shoe, or a more vivid op art look as shown below.

T-Bar Shoes

T-Bar Shoes

Contrasts also lead to multi use of piped edges and trimmings in every type of footwear. This mixed selection of T-bar style shoes (group 14) above right is from New Look. Each shoe has three contrast tones to achieve what appears to be a complex design colouration with a 1960s floral finishing touch.

Like the Mary Jane style the T-bar shoe is very safe looking until its vamped up with a fancy buckle, lacing or wider band ankle strap, which can almost move it toward the more exotic.

Both the red patent Mary Jane shoe (15) left, and this yellow shoe look retro, yet very modern. Each has a heel many women will find manageable and the strap adds extra walking security. Shoes with bar straps are ideal for women who need a half size, yet find that mass manufacturing of less costly lines means that half sizes are less available. Sizing up often means one shoe is over sized. With an extra cushion inner and an adjustable strap those with unevenly sized feet may find shoes that work for them. You are reading an original independent 'shoe accessory' article by Pauline Weston Thomas.

Left - Shoe 15 - Red Mary Jane shoe
Near Right - Shoe 16 -Yellow lace tie

Ankle Straps

Ankle Straps

This T-bar silver impressed skin sandal with wide ankle strap looks ready to party all night long.
Right - Shoe 17 - Silver T-bar, Éclair, ankle strap platform sandal from Barratts.

Stemming from the Gladiator/Warrior footwear shown on another page, are the ankle strap wraps that take many shoes a step further toward fetish footwear trends. This has created a range of high st. shoes heavy with wrap around ankle straps, excessive ties, narrow or wide dog collar ankle bands.

Some of the ankle bands are heavily decorated with studs as in the header or are Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED.

Left to right:- Shoes 18,19, 20 - Details below

Left - Shoe 18 - Marks and Spencers ankle strap red shoe in mixed materials - £15.
Centre - Shoe 19 - Double strap shoe
Far Right - Shoe 20- Ankle strap black colour block shoe

Peep Toes

Peep Toes

Bright colour is clearly a strong fashion trend in shoes for this Summer 2008. Red, yellow, orchid pink, purple, green and blue are used through every range. The peep toe is also an element of summer footwear and these examples illustrate wearable shoes rather than shoes destined for posing only. Peep toes also give the girls a chance to show off their new pedicure. If you like to wear tights but want to show your toes then an alternative is to buy the open toe summer tights sold at Marks and Spencer.

Left to right:- Shoes 21, 22, 23 - Details below

Left - Shoe 21 - River Island True Blue Range
Centre - Shoe 22 -Post Mistress Weather Girl
Far Right - Shoe 23 - Purple shoe

Finally these last two shoes are designed for tall women and so go to longer foot lengths. I love the pale pink flat shoe which is perfect for summer. The green wedge shoe is on trend without adding too many inches to a woman who is aware of her height. Lastly the sandal has not so much a Gladiator/Warrior feel, but more of an exotic Cleopatra touch.

Left to right:- Shoes 24, 25, 26 - Details below

Left - Shoe 24 - Pastel pink jewelled slingback
Centre - Shoe 25 - Shelly's Spring/Summer 2008
Right - Shoe 26 - Tan bronze Gladiator sandal with beads

You are reading an original independent 'shoes accessories' article by Pauline Weston Thomas.

Wider Cuff Watches

Wider Cuff Watches

This season more and more of us will be choosing wider style jewelled watches in cuff styles like these right and from the DKNY range. Gemstone cuff watches will be all the rage this Christmas. Don't be seen without yours.
I can't wait!!

You have been reading an original jewellery article by Pauline Weston Thomas

Large Watch Faces

Large Watch Faces

Women are now often selecting watches once designed for men. Women like the larger faces and the technical extras, but they still like the dainty dials of cocktail watches, hence the need for a wardrobe of watches. What looks good on the golf course, looks out of place at an upscale dinner dance or prom style event. Manufacturers are already working on that, as they have found large watch faces as much as 4.5 cm across are gaining on the sales front.

Chain and Link Watches

Chain and Link Watches

Chains and links also feature in many new ways in all ranges of jewellery specially necklaces. It follows that chunky metal link jewellery is a newer feature of watch styles. Below - Diesel gold plated chain link watch at £150.

Right - Ladies gold plated jewellery style bracelet watch with floral-embossed dial features chain linking. This is a Rotary Watch of Dolphin Standard waterproof type at £135 - functional and pretty too. Watches today combine function with beauty.

Watch stacking happens when a watch is worn with a bracelet or jewel cuffs.

Left - A traditional link watch easily worn together with a silver tone charm bracelet. Both items are from NEXT Directory. The watch style shown left, is very similar to the now current classic watches produced by all the major brands, for example by Citizen and Seiko. Of course it is much less costly.

Seiko has a good market share of watches around the £250 to £400 price range. Seiko are now moving into costlier £500+ designs with their new Velatura and Premiere collections. They will also have huge advertising campaign for their watches so look out for informative adverts soon to be shown.

Jewellery Wardrobe Tip - Gemstone bezel encrustations on watch faces and surrounds have become a growing trend.

Jewellery Wardrobe Tip - Gemstone bezel encrustations on watch faces and surrounds have become a growing trend.

Colour trend and occasion both affect new watch purchases, pieces are not just time pieces, but are seen as iconic jewellery. A watch that goes with just one, or two outfits is perfectly acceptable. It also gives you an excuse to build that watch wardrobe. Most of us own one silver toned and one gold toned watch. Now consider for 2007/8 a two toned version mixing silver and gold looks in 1970s retro style.

Fancy Watch Faces and Gemstone Bezel Surrounds

Fancy Watch Faces and Gemstone Bezel Surrounds

Retailers believe that having a wardrobe of half a dozen watches is no different than having bags in a variety of colours and designs. We women need no help in being swayed, and many of us covet a watch like this Black watch by Dior, or this Diamond Bulgari Ovale watch. See picture to the right.

Mother of pearl is still a much sought after watch face material. But the most desirable watch face is the diamond face one might find on a top end watch like the Bulgari Ovale watch, at just a mere $50,000 it's sure to please some lucky woman. If that is beyond your budget, consider these attractive Rotary watches left with their rectangular faces and encrusted bezels.

Watch makers actively decorate watches with crystal, diamante or diamonds, they are all intended for daywear and are in imitation of high end brands. We wear watches because we like them. In response to this fact Tiffany have produced several new diamond styles for its evening collection.

The 'it' watch of the season should have a sprinkle of diamonds, or at least a crystal surround watch face. in fact it's hard to find a watch without a diamond or crystal face surround. Square faces and Art Deco effects of baguette cut crystals are very fashionable and a hot trend. This pale gold watch right with crystal bezel, is by Guess and from John Lewis, priced at £89. The two watches left are from Next and the purple watch has an Art Deco look.

Jewellery Wardrobe

Jewellery Wardrobe

Jewellery Wardrobe Tip - Get working on your watch wardrobe

European women own 6 or 7 watches, whereas American women own fewer. Once people bought a watch and expected it to last until it wore out, or they lost it. But now the watch business is an accessory business that is booming.

The reality is that today few people need a watch as time is displayed everywhere, on PC, TVs, phones and microwaves. Fashion brands that have emerged in the past few years look beyond Swatch styling. But even Swatch have crystal embellished styling on newer designs.

Now fashion jewellery watches pay homage to the latest Suisse designs. These sales are capturing a market of consumers that own a wardrobe of watches.

Watches 2008

The watch is a more important accessory than ever. As sleeve styles have created new silhouettes, so the hands and wrist have gained new focus in the past few years. New materials and finishes keep up with changing fashions. These two watches from NEXT Directory show how dark finishes are popular. The watch in the picture to the far right has a gunmetal finish so it's suitable for wearing with metallic cast warrior woman, or the futuristic fashion trends this Autumn 2007/Winter 2008.

Top Twenty New Fashion Looks for Spring and Summer 2008

Of these top twenty fashion trends, just 3 or 4 will probably have some real impact on your wardrobe.

1. VOLUME - Short full dirndl swishing skirts - Belted volume, fluid dhoti pants cropped or long
2. SHOES - Colour & print, wedges, Gladiators, espadrilles, peep toes, cone wooden heels, straps
3. ROMANCE - Tiered ruffles , frills and roses on skirts, dresses, tops, blouses, necklines
4. LE JARDIN - BOTANICAL - DOLLY PRINTS - Retro florals, 40, 50s, 70s flower print blouses
5. ARTIST BRUSHSTROKES - PAINTERLY PRINTS - Graffiti like scribbles and smears, Ombre dip/tie dyed
6. FABULOUS FROCKS - Asymmetric draped dresses, tea dresses, maxi dresses
7. UNDERWEAR EFFECTS - Transparent chiffons - layered sheers, see through construction dresses, jackets
8. CITRUS BLOCK COLOURS - Orange, tangerine, mandarin, peach, yellow, gold, lemon, yellow, citrus green
9. TRIBAL EARTH - AFRICAN Traditional prints - Earthy Asian textures, animal and feather fabrics
10. TOP COLOURS - PURPLE REIGN - Violet to lilac - sugar almonds - soft tints - neon shocks
11. ECLECTIC PATCHWORK - Multi coloured mixed materials in frocks, t-shirts and footwear, jarring to exquisite
12. JUMPSUITS - The all in one jumpsuit go anywhere outfit, cut for evening and day, deluxe or safari style
13. TROUSERS - HIGH WAIST FLARED JEANS - Coloured skinny jeans, cropped narrow jodhpurs, wide trousers
14. MILITARY SAFARI - Practical pockets, easy shirt stand summer dresses, military touches
15. THE NEW DENIM - DENIM BLUE - Frayed and faded with white shirts or whitework Victoriana prairie blouses
16. NAUTICAL TAILORING - Blazers, trims, shoulders, tuxedo shawl collar white narrow/wide pants suits.
17. AMERICANA - Traditional stripes, spots and celestial stars. Navajo and Rockabilly looks
18. DECORATION - TRIMS or BRAIDS - Folkloric embroidery, cutwork, laser cutting, bead embellished fringes
19. LUXURY MATERIALS & FABRICS - Leathers, satins and silks, fine embroidery, fabric flower roses
20. ACCESSORIES - Clutch/small handbags, cuffs, bangles, big sunglasses, scarves, skinny belts.