Credit: M&S, Next, & Other Stories
Fashion
Why square-toe shoes will instantly lift your look, according to a fashion director
By Lucy Reber
9 months ago
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2 min read
This clean line shoe is going to pull together your summer look in an instant. Stylist’s fashion director, Lucy Reber, explains why.
There are lots of lovely things about summer. Sunshine is nice, obviously, if somewhat unpredictable. Meeting up with friends for a buzzy al fresco dinner is one of life’s great joys. Leaving home without lugging a heavy coat onto the Victoria line is another huge warm-weather win.
The light clothes of summer are one of the best things about the season altogether. Breezy summer dresses, delicate lace blouses and laid-back linens are fun and easy to wear.
However, for the clean-lined minimalist in me, this sort of hazy summer fashion is troublesome. It’s not that I don’t want to get on board with this sunshine-inspired styling, it’s just that it can feel a little unstructured. After all, you can’t pull together a look based on ruffles and ditzy floral prints alone.
And that’s where my style hero for the season – the square-toe shoe – comes into its own. This is the pared-back style statement for the minimalist in us all.
The square toe is currently being celebrated on boots, high heels and loafers, but I’ll be adopting it for summer as an easy-to-wear flat. Like all style heroes, the square-toe flat will look great with a variety of outfits. My favourite ways to wear them are with a button-down linen dress, like the Leah from Aligne, or with an oversized white shirt and city shorts for the perfect summer office outfit. It adds much-needed structure to a more flowing look and it’s zeitgeisty – bringing last year’s linen two-piece trend bang up to date. In metallic or white it’s also the perfect wedding guest shoe and will liven up a pretty pastel dress.
The spring/summer 2024 catwalks were onboard with the square toe too: Balmain featured polka dot styles, Burberry showed square-toe loafers and Carven sent bold vendôme mules down their catwalk in neutral hues of grey, beige, black and white.
Here are my top three picks for square-toe shoes to add a bit of edge to your summer look.
M&S leather square-toe ballet pumps
There is something so pleasing about a simple square-toe flat in a fancy shiny metallic. Clearly, I’m not the only one who thinks so, with M&S, Topshop and Penelope Chilvers all doing brilliant versions. This sleek pair will elevate simple tailored looks while keeping things work-appropriate.
& Other Stories square-toe ballet flats
Obviously ballet flats and Mary Janes have been top of the list when thinking of shoe updates. This satin hybrid, based on a pointe shoe with a pronounced block-like front, feels like ballet flats 2.0. I love this blush pink, which is perfect for summer, but they also come in a rich chocolate brown.
Next square-toe mules
The square-toe shoe is not exclusively a preserve of the pump. It also looks fabulous on a flat mule, as this Brat girl green pair from Next proves. They will look so chic styled with a simple tailored waistcoat and long-line denim shorts. Instant summer cool.
Images: courtesy of brands
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