Nothing revs up your wardrobe in a new season like a great new pair of shoes. Or boots. Or shooties. Or booties. Or sneakers.

Styling by Karen Herbert and Barbara Karsky. Photos by Todd Fairchild. Art direction by Joy Taylor

You get the point, there is so much new to choose from. And nothing kills a wow outfit like a bad pair of shoes. So here’s an overview of the trending looks to make sure your wardrobe goes from just fine to absolutely fabulous!

Fall/Winter 2018 fashion footwear is exciting and unexpected. We’ve showcased some of our favorites from L’Artise, OTBT, and Nicole right here in 
West Hartford Art League’s saltbox studio. We think of a perfect shoe, like a perfect frame: always enhancing and never overpowering.

Western Boots

This trend goes the full gambit from old-time outlaw to urban cowboy. Hot this fall and winter is the western bootie with distressed leathers, studded styling, whip stitching and patterned applications. Important is the block heel. Pair these with tailored pants or tuck your skinny jeans, or with the season’s many feminine dresses. Remember only cowgirls without great booties sing the blues!

Luxury Sneakers

These are not the sloppy kicks of your childhood. Sneakers take on multiple personalities this season from cool leather slip-ons to sneaker-bootie hybrids. Whether they’re laced or buckled, neon or neutral, chunky or sleek, a fun new sneaker is a must. Wear them with everything.

Embellishments

A little embellishment goes a long way. A simple edge of silver studding turns a mousy mule into marvelous. Studs, rhinestones, ribbons, tassels, florettes, pearls, 
and decorative hardware are gracing all your favorite 
silhouettes this season. Pair with menswear plaids or 
tailored pantsuits to soften the look. Great with denim. Or choose a perfect party shoe.

Heels

This season there’s a new emphasis on working girl style: the heel. Sling-backs and pumps have made a comeback with rounded toes and new heel variations. Architectural, patterned, pieced, stacked, blocked, and sculpted heels are the current rage. Good news here is the heel height is 3 inches or less!

Animal Prints

So popular in ready-to-wear, animal print is a purr-fect way to elevate a sophisticated monochromatic look. Subtle animal prints with a metallic finish can be seen in pumps and kitten-heels for the office, or electric finishes can be the ideal LBD accessory for party perfection.

Color 

Bold, bright, rich, gorgeous, vivid, luscious color. Fall and winter’s obsession is color. Juxtapose a beautiful berry bootie with the charcoals or taupes of this season’s fashion. Pop a purple shootie (hybrid of shoe and bootie) with a navy wrap dress. Tuck your favorite skinnies into a floral boot in shades of spice and olive. Trade in your boring black for statement-making, eye-popping color.

Thank you to models and friends Kimberly Mulqueen Jubrey, Cheyney Barrieau, and Beth Stauffer.

We invite you to BK&Co on Farmington Avenue in West Hartford Center to shop our palette of colors and styles and find the shoe that fits just right. You might even pick up a fabulous outfit or two!

As seen in West Hartford Magazine.