Stepping into a New Season

With the temperatures dipping into the low twenties and even the teens again, it is time for us to all accept that the British summer has had its day. Put away the flip flops, the gladiator sandals and the inexplicably popular jelly shoes, and start thinking about creative ways to keep your toes warm as the autumn creeps towards us and those long evenings get shorter.

There are few wardrobe items more difficult to find than a good pair of shoes. The choice always seems to be between having stylish-but-painful or comfy-but-ugly. It’s a cliché, but like all clichés and oft-repeated maxim, it tends to prove true. But what of those shoes which transcend this divide? Is there a way of ticking all the boxes without going overboard?

One style of shoe which has increased in popularity whilst also enjoying the benefits of originally being a sports shoe – and therefore designed to be comfortable rather than back-breaking – is the sneaker. Converse made their Chuck Taylors the most recognizable sneaker around – no one wears them for baseball (as intended) anymore, but thanks to rock bands and off-duty actors, they are the casual shoe of choice.

However, these brands are expensive and can easily distract us from the reality that there are plenty of daps and sneakers available which can deliver the same look and comfort. Indeed, if you acknowledge that these thin-soled shoes won’t last forever, turn to high street shops like New Look for well-priced sneakers and shoes. With an online sale right now, you could pay as little as £4 for easy to wear shoes that you won’t feel guilty replacing when they wear out.

However, canvas pumps are not protection enough against the rain that lashes down in the UK every autumn, so it might be worth checking out the boots and brogues while you’re at it. Once again, the high street can deliver; the key is to check that the shoe has a thick enough sole to withstand the heavy pavements and weather.