Kids Fall 2021 shoe trends you don't want to miss!
Designing kids shoes was my first kids shoe design job. It’s a category I really wanted to design for when I started designing shoes. I really loved designing shoes for kids, and still do. Why? It’s actually very creative. You can risk a lot more, play a lot more, and be as creative as you want. As I was doing some trend research for Fall 2021, I found three trends in the women’s market that I feel are very translatable to kids. There’s actually a few more that are relevant to Fall. Here are my favorite three:
Shoe design by Nalini Arora
Last year The Row came out with this shoe. I saw it on Leandra Medine from The Man Repeller. At first I was a bit confused, but it grew on me more and more. If it wasn’t for the high price, and my worry the mesh would rip, it would have been mine. Since then I’ve seen high vamp ballet’s more and more. I love this trend for kids as it resembles an aqua sock. I like it in a more fashionable form as seen here, here, and here. This design can also work as unisex.
Shoe design by Nalini Arora
This women’s work from home trend is my absolute favorite. Inspired by this brand, and this one. I love the cozy on top, fashionable, and playful. It’s also great for everyday. Don’t recommend shearling on the inside for warmer cities. This trend fits nicely as a Maryjane. Add an elastic strap with logo, or a buckle with an elastic on the medial side, and you’ve covered your ballet trend as well!
Shoe design by Nalini Arora
Two years ago Proenza Schouler came out with this hiker. I loved the canvas upper. It was a nice take on the original hiker. The canvas made the boot very light. Adding a sneaker outsole, and sneaker overlay takes this traditional boot to a whole different level. Lots of opportunities for material and color play on this shoe for kids. Especially with the outsole like this and this.
Shoe design by Nalini Arora
Clogs are a great way to offer comfort but also an opportunity to dress up. Fun novelty ideas such as hearts, floral overlays, clear or tinted TPU straps elevate the traditional clog. A great opportunity for fun prints, and embellishments.
Add a rubber sole for comfort if keeping the midsole wood, or make the wood portion moulded rubber or EVA to save on costs.