Footwear, boot & shoe trends A-W 2008/2009

Footwear, boot & shoe trends A-W 2008/2009 We've looked at hair trends, beauty trends, sunglasses trends and more in our 2008 Fashion Trend Bible... so it's really about time we got to our favourite thing of all: shoes! Square toes, crocodile skin, triple-buckles, and bohemian fringing are just some of the things you might not have been expecting to come back into fashion so soon, and yet here they are. Read on to find out all of the Autumn / Winter 2008 - 2009 shoe and boot trends. Heel shapes and styles Stilettos What: Yes, stilettos are back. Well, it's not that they ever went anywhere - but they're once again dominating the runways, and that is to say that the chunky-heeled revolution is (for the most part) over. One thing we are seeing though is a hybrid of platform and stiletto: a hidden platform in the front part of the shoe, with a super-tall stiletto heel at the back (as per DSquared2, pictured right). Seen on: the runways of Balenciaga, Chado Ralph Rucci, Yves Saint Laurent, and DSquared2 to name a few. Heel sapes and styles Thick, chunky heels What: Platforms and thick heels have dominated the past few seasons; and a number of the major design houses have seen fit to carry them on for Autumn / Winter 2008. Seen on: the runways of Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Marni, Chanel. Verdict: All those sturdy heels we've just invested in shouldn't go to waste too soon - despite the return of the more graceful stiletto. The definite advantage of shoes with a thick heel is that they're better to walk in; so make the most while you can. NEXT