Whether on the runway or out on the street, textures have been in abundance over the past year and are dominating key footwear trends. We’ve seen everything from pony hair low-profiles and python wrapped loafers to woven leather flats and TPU-encased trail shoes; the limits truly do not exist. As brands become more experimental with fabrics and textures, it opens up the floor for creativity. With that in mind, here’s a closer look at the textures shaping our collections going into AW25.
Pony Hair
It’s undeniable that the pony hair wave has been ramping up over the year, and it’s not slowing down. When it comes to pony hair trainers, it seems everyone has had something to say. Clarks Originals and adidas have thrown their hats in the ring with textured takes on the Wallabee and 3-Stripes classics, getting dressed in leopard or cow prints, but it’s also the ones you don’t expect, like the Nike Air Force 1, that have undergone the essential makeover to satisfy the hunger for the touchable texture.
Hairy Suede
Although nothing new, hairy suede has been keeping things interesting in footwear. Whether lightly applied as a subtle accent or utilised for the full upper, it’s really the gift that keeps on giving. Famously a key component of the New Balance Protection Pack, we’ve also seen hairy suede added to less anticipated designs from the Boston brand, like the slimline trail runner, the MT10, offering a more premium fashion-forward outlook on the usually techy trainer.
Mock Croc and Snakeskin
Often associated with the luxury sector, croc and snakeskin silhouettes have proven once and for all that this particular trend cannot be bound by the seasons. From boots and loafers throughout Autumn/Winter collections to ballet flats and summer sandals, this leather treatment always looks good.
Animal prints have been everywhere this year, between the aforementioned pony hair and leather imprints, creating a dimensional world rife with options. This season, adidas Originals has gone all in with mock reptilian textures, covering classics like the Japan, the SL 72, and of course, the Samba.
Textiles
When it comes to textile-clad footwear, there’s so much room for interpretation. As well as adding depth to the design, the use of textiles in footwear can create a raw, unfinished aesthetic with frayed edges and rough cut lines, or achieve the opposite effect by incorporating cleanly woven panels that add a polished touch to a silhouette.
Thanks to the resurgence of Y2K styling, we’ve seen a huge revival of double denim – led by Britney and Justin’s example. Nike has filtered various denim looks through its lines, including a frayed ‘Bright Cactus’ take on the Shox Ride 2 and the Americana-inspired Nike x NIGO x Levi’s collaboration that reimagined the Air Force 3 in a worn-in denim and suede ensemble. On the other end of the spectrum, we have AW-coded Harris Tweed collaborations taking over classic silhouettes from the likes of Clarks and Vans.
TPU and Synthetics
An honourable mention has to go to TPU and synthetics, the materials that define the modern age. When considering certain materials that have been developed specifically for footwear, it makes the whole concept pretty special. Thanks to synthetics, we can walk rainy city pavements and muddy trail puddles whilst maintaining dry feet. That alone is enough to become a national treasure.
Arriving in many shapes, sizes and formats, the world of TPU and other synthetics is a vast one. From the heel cage of New Balance’s 1906R to Salomon’s XT-6 iconic overlays, anything is possible.
Regarding the many textures of footwear, there is always food for thought. Materials help to craft outfits, honour the seasons and add that certain je ne sais quoi to a look. Whether you’re looking to make a statement with pony hair or just make it through another rainy day, there’s always a shoe to help you do it.
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