Footwear Insight

C omfort is the most important factor in footwear choices for remote and office work, according to Sydney Simas, VP, Simco Imported Shoes, who notes that "Mar y Janes specifically have been phenomenal in recent seasons. Transitional styles are important as they will take you from the office, to dinner, to play dates, and consumers want multi- purpose silhouettes." Comfort is "always the priority," agrees Rich Rask, president, Rieker Shoe Corp. "Consumers have an abundance of options. Comfort and style with versatility are the trend." Megan Gold, design director, Alegria, says, "Athletics have been all the rage for about four years now. While I do not see a big move away from that, we are seeing an uptick in our leather casual Career Fashion styles. Athletics are fun, but they cannot offer the support of harder outsoles for those long hours working on the feet over time." Blending comfort and versatility for both office and work from home (WFH) settings is a key trend, asserts Victoria Feldman, marketing director, Latitudes. She points to the Austin style from KLOGS, a classic open back clog, as a style that easily pairs with a vari- ety of outfits while combining comfort with style. "In today's wellness-focused world, there's a growing demand for footwear that not only offers instant comfort but also enhances circulation while providing superior arch and heel support," says Feldman. 36 • Footwear Insight ~ July/August 2024 footwearinsight.com STYLE & COMFORT AT WORK: OFFICE OPTIONS Rieker / Dustin 50 Delivering on both comfort and style, the Dustin 50 shoe sports a leather upper with a scuba lining and stretch laces for slipping on. It also features a so comfort insole and a light-weight outsole. MSRP $140. Remonte / Ignacia 00 Offering classic style with a twist, Ignacia is a perfect choice for office style. In addition to its fashiobale details, it has a suede leather upper, a removable so insole and a lightweight outsole. MSRP $135. KLOGS / Austin An open back, classic clog style, Austin is designed to not only offer instant comfort but also provide arch and heel support. It easily pairs with a variety of outfits while combining comfort with style. MSRP $144.95 Arcopedico / Estrela e quintessential Mary Jane, Estrela has a customizable Velcro strap for the perfect fit, while the outsole provides all-day comfort with Arcopedico's patented Twin Arch Support. Vegan and machine washable, Estrela is perfect for the office or for walks around town. MSRP $115. Alegria / Sofi is grown-up leather version of a Mary Jane has a featherweight slip-resistant wood-look wedge bottom. Dressing it up is an adjustable hook-and-loop close strap with a decorative metal ornament. A printed microsuede-lined footbed made of polyurethane, cork, and memory foam completes the stylish story. MSRP $140.

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