A look inside our Spring/Summer collection with Dianne, owner and buyer at The House of Shoes.
Fashion has a way of coming full circle, and this Spring/Summer is bringing some interesting changes to the shoes we're wearing.
Dianne takes us through her SS26 favourites, the styles making a comeback and what's catching her eye for next season.
Dianne's Three Picks
Wonders A-4802 naranja & Wonders A-4802 pink & red
Statement colours have always sold well for us, and this new Wonders sneaker brings together several things I was looking for this season.
The lower-profile sole is right on trend, while the wider toe area offers a different fit to many of our other Wonders sneakers. There's also an extra set of cotton laces, giving customers the option of swapping out the elastic laces for a more traditional, adjustable fit.
And then there's the colour! I love the combination of pink and red, two colours we were once told shouldn't be worn together. Thankfully, we're moving beyond those old fashion rules.
These sandals are a great example of taking a classic casual style and making it something quite different.
The metallic leather finishes add interest, while the comfortable footbed and easy-to-clean black sole make them a practical choice for everyday wear.
I particularly like these for customers who value comfort but may no longer want to wear heels. They're proof that a casual sandal can still make a statement.
These were always going to make the cut. The real question each season is which colours to buy!
We've stocked the Hispanitas Ambar for more than six years, and it continues to be a customer favourite. It's a sandal our customers wear every day through summer, take travelling and even wear to work.
This year's palette is more muted, with browns, black, cream and metallics. They're easy to pair with summer dresses, shorts or linen pants.
And for those who prefer to avoid white soles (yes, I hear you!), these come with black or brown soles, with plenty of grip for longer walks.
What I'm Watching Out For This Season
The Lower-Profile Sneaker
One of the strongest shifts I'm noticing is the return of the lower-profile sneaker.
Chunky soles aren't necessarily disappearing, but thinner, more streamlined silhouettes are gaining momentum across our European brands.
Some favourites include the Ara Amalfi, Sioux Snejana, Högl 1122 and Ara Portofino. Looking at the sizes remaining in some of these styles, our customers are responding to the change too.
I particularly like this look with a summer dress or barrel-leg jeans, where you don't necessarily want the bulk of a chunky shoe.
And this is only the beginning. From the collections I've been seeing for 2027, lower-profile sneakers are going to become an even more important part of the footwear landscape.
The Return of the Boat Shoe
Now here's a return that's been interesting to watch!
I've owned The House of Shoes for nine years and started buying collections in 2017. In all that time, this is the first real return of the boat shoe across the brands we stock.
We're seeing it from fashion-led brands such as Hispanitas, through to comfort-focused brands including Sioux and Ara.
What's been particularly interesting is the customer reaction. So many people have reminisced with me about wearing boat shoes years ago. It's clearly a style that holds some fond memories.
This season we've introduced the Ara New Port, Ara Cambridge, Hispanitas Zinnia and Sioux Simadesa.
Often, when a familiar style returns, it starts quite close to the original design before influencing other styles across the collection. From what I'm seeing in upcoming ranges, there's plenty more to come from the boat shoe throughout 2027 and beyond.
The Barefoot Influence
Barefoot footwear has really taken off in Europe, with many of our brands now developing barefoot ranges.
It's a specialised style of footwear, and certainly not for everyone. While we carry the El Naturalista Oroel barefoot sneakers, I haven't selected a large barefoot range for THOS as I'm not yet seeing significant demand from our customers.
What interests me more is the influence this movement is having on mainstream footwear.
True barefoot shoes generally have a wide toe box, zero heel drop, highly flexible and thin soles, and minimal structural support. But we're now seeing elements of this lower-profile approach across sneakers, ballet flats, Mary Janes and loafers.
Paul Green is a great example. Many of their flatter styles still have a heel pitch of around 1 to 2cm, but the soles are noticeably thinner than much of what we've seen over the past six years.
It's a direction worth watching, even if barefoot shoes themselves aren't for you.
The One I'm Wearing | Hispanitas Azucena in Alga
If you've seen me in store recently, there's a good chance I've been wearing the Hispanitas Azucena in Alga.
This style is exclusive to The House of Shoes in Australia this season, and it's been hugely popular. Green always seems to do well for us!
The soft sage green is surprisingly versatile. I've worn mine with denim, black, bright printed shirts and darker greens, and it instantly lifts whatever I'm wearing.
The raffia is incredibly soft, and I've found them comfortable throughout a full day working in the store, including plenty of stairs and ladders!
One Last Thought | Let's Move Beyond the Nude Shoe
Something I've noticed this season is that I'm getting fewer requests for a 'nude shoe' when customers are shopping for evening wear.
I think we're becoming much more confident about pairing colour with colour, and I love seeing it.
A considered shoe choice can completely change an outfit. Rather than trying to make our footwear disappear, why not make it part of the look?
Our shoes are just as much a part of the outfit as the dress. Why not show them off too!
Dianne
