The socks-and-sandals movement on the men’s runways in Milan is undeniable. Whether it’s MSGM, Versace or Prada, designers seem to be embracing the traditionally “ugly” and trying to make it, well, desirable. The polarizing shoe styling also stems from the fact that many of the labels chose a travel theme for spring ’17, reworking outdoorsy Teva-style sandals into a must-have accessory.
Versace’s ode to Chicago for spring saw models in a number of athleticwear looks, such as hoodies and leggings, much of it inspired by the style of local break-dancers. It was styled with strappy gladiators and socks, a look the label has done for the past few seasons.
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Prada’s backpacker-themed collection took the look further with Velcro sandals with printed straps, in either striped or diamond colorings. Shinier patents in saturated hues offered a more fashionable take on the mandal but were reminiscent of the material often used in water shoes.
MSGM took on Velcro as well, styling it with white tube socks with the brand’s logo running along the back. They looked more performance-oriented than Prada’s or Versace’s.
A number of labels also forwent socks but tapped into the sandal market. Marni showed its collections of sandals without socks, either double-strapped or with a single strap covering the majority of the foot. Salvatore Ferragmo focused on creating futuristic 3-D shape embellishments on the straps.
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