High Fashion & Big Comfort Define This Summer's Footwear

Wear ill-fitting shoes one too many times, and you’ll understand that looks aren’t everything. In my more reckless days of cute, cheap dress shoes. They didn’t even make it to the church. Those shiny black instruments of torture hurt so much that I put them on display in the parking lot — a gift to some lucky passerby — and changed into the old flats I’d brought for dancing.

In search of this summer’s trends in footwear, Look Local reached out to top shoe retailers in the area. To my delight, the word “comfort” came up frequently. These professionals sell quality footwear at the height of chic. They also see and talk about feet all day, every day. Here’s what they have to say.

THE 2025 AESTHETIC

“Women’s spring trends still are towards metallics and fun, bright colours,” says Dean Bosco, Vice-President of Bos. & Co. in Burlington. “Fuchsia is still one of the best-selling colours.

“Footwear is athletic driven, but not your Nike. We are seeing sporty shoes with metallics and bright colours, ribbons and mesh that make the shoes wearable all day or evening — and not for the gym.”

Daniel Miller, 4th-generation Owner of Miller Shoes in Hamilton, is also selling lots of sporty leisure shoes. “One of the most enduring trends in the last few years has been the dominance of athleisure,” he says. “You can see this in the popularity of sneakers, especially all white sneakers.” Miller adds that while loafers have been strong in the last couple of years, ballet flats appear to be making a comeback.

COMFORT HAS ( FINALLY ) CAUGHT ON

Bosco has seen a slight shift back to ladies’ dress shoes, “but women want the same comfort they are getting from their athletic type shoes,” he says. Even the most fashion-forward customers don’t want much of a heel and “are not willing to sacrifice comfort for fashion.”

Today’s consumer is unaccustomed to wearing heels. Just look around. Office workers, bank tellers, and teachers don’t dress up like they used to. Upscale restaurants are filled with casually dressed patrons. In other words, you can put those classic dress pumps to rest.

At formal events, people now wear shoes that were once considered casual. “When they do purchase heels,” Miller says, “short chunky styles are much more popular than the thin stiletto heels of old.”

Choosing Shoes for Kids

Often a big shoe brand will take a popular adult shoe and just make a smaller version for kids. However, according to Luis Roldan, Owner of Bambino Fine Shoes in Oakville, a child’s feet have a whole different set of requirements. While children’s feet are still forming, “adult feet have developed arches and have developed a gait,” Roldan says.

All shoes at Bambino offer heel support and are made of natural material like leather or canvas, They’re free of plastic (unlike mass-produced footwear containing low-grade plastic, which is often laced with nickel or chrome)

What’s trending in little shoes? “A child’s personal expression is always important,” Roldan says. “In general, parents are looking for a very happy colouration palette. Bright colours are coming in — in particular, different shades of blues — and different play on textures.”

Roldan offers these tips for developing fee

Summer wear often calls for calls for loose fitting clothing should not be the case for footwear. Children need stability with strong heel support. Nothing flimsy, please.
The outsole should provide traction.
Sandals, particularly for toddlers, should protect the toe area.
The material should be breathable. A healthy foot is a dry foot.

Sure, it’s easy to be seduced by a fetching style and hope to “wear in” a shoe until it’s comfortable. But in the words of David Anderson, Owner of David William Shoes & More in Dundas, this tendency “allowing the eyes to determine what is right as opposed to what is good for our feet” is changing as we get older and our feet take the lead.

Shoe selection should always factor in a comfortable foot bed and appropriate arch support for the individual. “Remember that these two pieces of our anatomy comprise 25% of our skeletal system and should take precedence if we want to continue to walk, hike and dance,” Anderson says.

“Don’t get me wrong. I, too, love my fashion, but my shoes need to withstand my daily activities and do it comfortably. Be cautious not to commit to a product that is only going to make your closet look pretty.”

Check These Out

“This Bos. & Co. light-weight platform 2” made in Portugal is right on trend. It’s all leather, with a metallic mesh side and an extra padded high-density insole for added comfort. It can be worn in the daytime with your favourite little sundress or take it into the evening and have that metallic colouring to add to your nighttime outfit.”
DEAN BOSCO,
VICE-PRESIDENT, BOS. & CO.

“A favourite design would definitely be the Chie Mihara Latush. They have a comfortable heel and a funky modern design, perfect for weddings and evenings out.”
DANIEL MILLER,
OWNER, MILLER SHOES

“Boost your style game with these leather Baytown sneakers by Django and Juliette, featuring a notch platform sole and breezy silhouette. These sneakers offer a casual take on the classic fisherman sandal.”
DAVID ANDERSON, OWNER,
DAVID WILLIAM SHOES & MORE