Top designers from the women’s industry weigh in on trends that made the cut and missed the mark this year.
Top trend: “Over-the-knee boot — it continues to prevail as a leading silhouette each fall.”
![Gigi Hadid's Stuart Weitzman fall '16 campaign.](https://footwearnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/stuart-weitzman-fall-2016-ad-campaign-gigi-hadid.jpg)
Least favorite trend: “With so many great trends for 2016, [I choose to] focus on the positive when reflecting back.”
Top trend: “My favorite trend was the flatform, especially those from Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu and Gucci. I love the way they look. My favorite is our Tessa style in the multicolor balloon print or flower-printed leather.”
Least favorite trend: “Crocs. I just can’t bring myself to wear this trend. As a woman, I want to wear shoes that make me feel sexy and feminine.”
Rupert Sanderson
Top trend: “Velvet. Just gorgeous and set to continue.”
![Rupert Sanderson Spring 2017 Shoes](https://footwearnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/rupert-sanderson-spring-2017-collection-paris-fashion-week-02.jpg)
Least favorite trend: “Flatforms. Ugh.”
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Sophia Webster
Top trend: “Definitely the sneaker trend. I live and die in my Riko low-top shoes; having a classic sneaker with a unique detail is perfect for me.”
![sophia webster sneaker](https://footwearnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/sophia-webster-sneakers.jpg)
Least favorite trend: “One trend I have noticed is incredibly high heels or unusual heels that aren’t so conducive to walking. It’s important to have a range of heel heights that are stylish, but also comfortable and realistic.”
Jerome C. Rousseau
Top trend: “The return to mid-height heels. It has been refreshing to see women adopt chic, sexy shoes on lower heel heights in 2016. As a designer, it’s a nice challenge to create shoes that still feel feminine and luxurious on lower heel heights and even on heavier heel silhouettes.”
![Jerome Rousseau Spring 2017 Shoes](https://footwearnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/jerome-rousseau-spring-2017-5.jpg)
Least favorite trend: “I’ve grown tired of the white sneaker trend that continues to be in every capital city I travel to, especially combined with sophisticated outfits. I’m also guilty, and I still wear mine — go figure.”
Sarah Flint
Top trend: “The block heel has become a signature style for the collection because it is both versatile and timeless. Ours are 50mm, high enough to add some polish while letting women live their lives in them.”
![Sarah-Flint-Emma-Taupe-Suede](https://footwearnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/sarah-flint-emma-taupe-suede.jpg)
Least favorite trend: “Over-the-knee boots have become a huge trend in the last few years, but lately I’ve been thinking more about booties. Aspen was a huge inspiration for fall, and there’s something cozy and luxe about a shearling-lined bootie.”