Thursday, April 25Royal Holloway's offical student publication, est. 1986

February Footwear

February is that limbo stage where one day it’s pouring down with rain, and the next day sun rays are peeping through the clouds.

We have seen the comeback of the conventional heeled boot – the cut-out buckled boots. We have even seen Karl Lagerfeld sporting the laidback trainer trend on the Paris Fashion Week catwalks, with Chanel’s Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2014 collection transforming the traditional bridal look into a sporty snow queen style by pairing chic dresses with conventional trainers. So we can continue wearing our classic converse: a timeless shoe-cupboard essential that can tone down any outfit and ensure day-to-day practicality.

The fashion predictions of Spring/Summer 2014 foresee us fashionistas transitioning from dark shades to lighter hues and sporting pastel loafers (which both men and women can wear), paired with jeans or skirts, and a chic spring coat. But, on days when it is too cold to expose our feet in loafers, or too wet to be wearing cut-out boots, I suggest brogues, which are suitable for all conditions and events. The best daytime footwear though are the old-school, retro, ‘Save the last dance’ inspired footwear…Timberlands! Sandy Timberlands fit the neutral trends for spring/summer, they are unisex, and they will not fail you this month. Timberlands can be worn with jeans, a shirt or jumper, and with thick socks rolling out of the boot – or for warmer months team your Timberlands with shorts and a little cami. You may fear that this trend is a return to the “chav” phase, but it is undeniable that this past year has seen a massive flashback to legendary trends from iconic eras- just because the 90s may be a more recent era does not mean you should disregard those familiar trends.

One thing is for sure: the fashionable footwear this month – whether brogues, loafers, trainers, converse or timberlands – are suitable for both sexes, so there’s no excuse for any footwear faux pas this month!

Tip: Certain materials are problematic in this weather; one raindrop on a suede shoe means destruction, so buy yourself some suede protector!

Photography: timberland.com