Shoe and Bag Trends for Spring/Summer 2009The shoe is the “fetish” item for spring summer 2009. Every designer has been showing shoes that are just over the top, needless to say most of us would not get caught dead wearing some of these styles, the shoe is definitely taking center stage this season.
Season of Extremes
The secret to fashion for Spring/Summer 2009 lies in a blend of sensuality and sportiness. It is this interplay of casualness and chic that gives the new looks their relaxed and modern slant, now also in demand even for formal occasions. The matching shoes and bags exude a light-hearted freshness. Contrasts determine the picture: high-tech materials clash with natural leather. Brilliant, bright colors are juxtaposed with discreet neutral nuances. High heels will be competing with ultra-flat styles for shoppers' favor next season.
Three-color themes characterize shoe and bag fashions. The basis is formed by light, neutral colors with white (either clear or with a slightly grey hue), all cream and sand tones all the way
down to moleskin and pearl grey. Dark brown and black serve as contrasting accent colors. Pastel shades will be re-defined next summer, fluctuating between milky pallid hues and sun-bleached neon lights. Flattering red tones include delicate apricot or rosé nuances while sherbet shades with shimmering effects exude summery freshness. Intense colors such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet feature as clear, monochrome tones also in the form of color blocking or in prints. Provided with black or white contours these colors obtain enormous brightness.
Materials The key priorities here are: soft and lightweight materials. Accordingly, the shoe and bag collections include many styles in supple lambskin nappa, soft patent leather
and velvety nubuck. Special effects are produced by high-quality mock croc or python that are every bit as attractive as their genuine counterparts. Metallised leathers with a soft sheen are often combined with smooth or suede leathers. Patent and suede show these new colors to their best advantage. In tune with the eco-trend vegetable-tanned leathers with a natural touch and irregular shading or an antique finish continue to attract attention. Likewise, braiding is the latest trend for shoes and bags next summer. In contrast to this designers - not only in the sporty segment - focus on high-tech materials such as mesh, nylon, vinyl and lucite and as well as (often printed) textiles.
Shapes 
In the Spring/Summer season 2009 all shapes and lasts will be allowed. For women's shoes the spectrum ranges from oval, rounded shapes, (asymmetrical) wide square lasts to short and even longer points again. Alongside such classics as ballerinas (now featuring noticeably wider necklines), loafers, urban-chic sneakers and even plimsolls (a type of athletic shoe with canvas upper and rubber sole), more and more high-upper styles will be causing a stir now. These come as ultra-flat gladiator and/or Roman sandals featuring more or less wide straps. High-upper court shoes and high-heeled platform sandals look particularly sexy. Often these styles reveal either the heel or toes. Another key styling element of
this new shoe fashion are T-straps and criss-cross ties across the instep. For men elongated lasts continue to dominate the business segment presented as Oxford shoes, slip-ons or summer boots. Above and beyond this, two shoe fashion classics are expected to herald a big comeback: the suede Desert Boot - predominantly presented in authentic, natural, sandy shades - and topsiders featured with light soles and clear, clean- cut uppers in flag colors. Indispensable: sneakers and chucks in bright colors featuring color blocking and graphic-art prints.
For women's bags volumes range from mega to clutch bags, the latter being fit for everyday
use thanks to variable shapes and volumes. Alongside the soft-finish bags and pouches designers are now once again focusing more on "stand-alone" styles and short-handled bags. Decorative effects are produced by prints, embossing, pleats and batik patterns as well as by romantic floral or bowtie trims. Artisanal techniques, hand stitching and ethnic prints echo the "eco luxe" movement. Mid-summer flair is exuded by raffia baskets, large-format shoulder- strap bags and pouches featuring floral, graphic or patchwork motifs. For men weekend, bowling and cross-over bags now see competition from casual, sometimes X-large backpacks echoing mountaineering documentaries. A comeback of men's good old shoulder bags already points to clutch-bags for men, that should be "socially acceptable" by summer 2009 if not sooner.
Three trend themes for the 2009 Spring/Summer season:
ENERGIZING - CONTEMPORARY - FLUORESCENCE
ENERGIZING Intensity, luminosity, modernity. Shoes and bags "bathe" in rich, summery colors. This theme oozes with optimism and joie de vivre. ("joy of life")
CONTEMPORARY Graphic clarity, brightness, lightness, neutral colors, high-quality materials and purist shapes give shoes and bags a modern, urban slant.
FLUORESCENCE Sensuality, freshness, liveliness. Flower tones, pastel shades and shimmering metallics promise a sparkling mix of romanticism and erotic appeal.
The secret to fashion for Spring/Summer 2009 lies in a blend of sensuality and sportiness. It is this interplay of casualness and chic that gives the new looks their relaxed and modern slant, now also in demand even for formal occasions. The matching shoes and bags exude a light-hearted freshness. Contrasts determine the picture: high-tech materials clash with natural leather. Brilliant, bright colors are juxtaposed with discreet neutral nuances. High heels will be competing with ultra-flat styles for shoppers' favor next season.
down to moleskin and pearl grey. Dark brown and black serve as contrasting accent colors. Pastel shades will be re-defined next summer, fluctuating between milky pallid hues and sun-bleached neon lights. Flattering red tones include delicate apricot or rosé nuances while sherbet shades with shimmering effects exude summery freshness. Intense colors such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet feature as clear, monochrome tones also in the form of color blocking or in prints. Provided with black or white contours these colors obtain enormous brightness.
and velvety nubuck. Special effects are produced by high-quality mock croc or python that are every bit as attractive as their genuine counterparts. Metallised leathers with a soft sheen are often combined with smooth or suede leathers. Patent and suede show these new colors to their best advantage. In tune with the eco-trend vegetable-tanned leathers with a natural touch and irregular shading or an antique finish continue to attract attention. Likewise, braiding is the latest trend for shoes and bags next summer. In contrast to this designers - not only in the sporty segment - focus on high-tech materials such as mesh, nylon, vinyl and lucite and as well as (often printed) textiles.
In the Spring/Summer season 2009 all shapes and lasts will be allowed. For women's shoes the spectrum ranges from oval, rounded shapes, (asymmetrical) wide square lasts to short and even longer points again. Alongside such classics as ballerinas (now featuring noticeably wider necklines), loafers, urban-chic sneakers and even plimsolls (a type of athletic shoe with canvas upper and rubber sole), more and more high-upper styles will be causing a stir now. These come as ultra-flat gladiator and/or Roman sandals featuring more or less wide straps. High-upper court shoes and high-heeled platform sandals look particularly sexy. Often these styles reveal either the heel or toes. Another key styling element of 
this new shoe fashion are T-straps and criss-cross ties across the instep. For men elongated lasts continue to dominate the business segment presented as Oxford shoes, slip-ons or summer boots. Above and beyond this, two shoe fashion classics are expected to herald a big comeback: the suede Desert Boot - predominantly presented in authentic, natural, sandy shades - and topsiders featured with light soles and clear, clean- cut uppers in flag colors. Indispensable: sneakers and chucks in bright colors featuring color blocking and graphic-art prints.
use thanks to variable shapes and volumes. Alongside the soft-finish bags and pouches designers are now once again focusing more on "stand-alone" styles and short-handled bags. Decorative effects are produced by prints, embossing, pleats and batik patterns as well as by romantic floral or bowtie trims. Artisanal techniques, hand stitching and ethnic prints echo the "eco luxe" movement. Mid-summer flair is exuded by raffia baskets, large-format shoulder- strap bags and pouches featuring floral, graphic or patchwork motifs. For men weekend, bowling and cross-over bags now see competition from casual, sometimes X-large backpacks echoing mountaineering documentaries. A comeback of men's good old shoulder bags already points to clutch-bags for men, that should be "socially acceptable" by summer 2009 if not sooner.
