Statement Footwear to Make Your Mark

Seventies fever died down in the latter half of 2023, but if Dries Van Noten’s Platform Boots have anything to say about it, it’ll stick around for at least another season. Cut from buffed brown leather, the shoe’s upper and midsole feature an abstract print that emphasizes the already eye-popping silhouette.

With sneakers taking a backseat to more formal footwear, particularly in the world of menswear, it’s exciting to see labels like Stefan Cooke finding ways to reframe the traditional view of leather shoes. Fitted with shining silver-tone studs to the forefoot and two buckled straps, the Stud Panel Biker Monkstraps signal a strong return for the monkstrap shoe.

Proenza Schouler starts from an understated silhouette for the Silver Glove Boots. The small 2-inch heel and a sleek leather upper are given a visual boost by a metallic finish throughout, which plays with the crinkled texture.

Marni’s list of statement footwear is long and growing by the season. For FW23, the Bigfoot 2.0 Sneaker took the fore with its ballooning proportions that seem like they’ve been pumped up before hitting shelves.

Cowboy boots are always in, but with a bit of help from R13, this pair gets a playful Y2K update. Soft suede uppers peek out of the bottom of classic boot-cut jean uppers, which stop with a raw hem at the top of the boot.

Headed up by Chitose Abe, Japanese label sacai has become a pivotal name in modern luxury fashion thanks to a string of successful collaborations. The brand’s mainline designs abide by the same values, melding disparate styles into clashing packages. These Platform Chelsea Boots do just that, combining a classic leather upper with a chunky technical sole unit and neoprene sock detailing.

It’s still cold enough to justify wearing pillows as shoes, especially if they’re emblazoned with the new colorful Hunter IP Burberry check. Built on a tread EVA sole, the Burberry Pillow Boots are as cozy as indoor slippers but robust enough for outdoor wear.

Salomon footwear is all underpinned by a technical aesthetic, but the ACS Pro takes that to another level. With an almost brutalist upper, the silhouette suits a contrastingly bright and cheerful colorway here. Striking primary colors dress the midsole, mudguard, and heel cup, while the majority of the upper remains in stark gray and black.