By Emily Walzer
T
his summer's footwear stays true
to the season: e look is casual,
the vibe is relaxed, but styles now
go a step further with subtle yet
eective material and design solutions that
level up performance and comfort, without
jeopardizing a laid-back summertime aesthetic.
e latest low-prole, feel-good footwear
is engineered to be highly supportive and
more durable than previous iterations. Sleek
silhouettes now achieve extra comfort at a
lighter weight; arch support is enhanced;
serious attention is paid to soness and ver-
satility. Trade-os are no longer an issue when
it comes to style or substance.
The ballet sneaker, aka "sneakerina," a
blazing hot trend earlier this year, charac-
terized by shoes with a so, curved toebox
and slipper-like prole, is cooling o, but its
impact remains. According to a quote from
Linda Cui Zhang, associate fashion director
at Nordstrom, ballet-inspired sneakers derive
from two intersecting trends: the spotlight on
women in sports and continued focus on active
Merry People 4-season Bobbi Ankle Boot, a
modern take on the gumboot, is colorful, wa-
terproof and extra-comfortable with flexible
neoprene liner.
MATERIALS
BEYOND
CUTE & COMFY
Simplicity in Shoe Design Is Afoot this Summer Season.
