One Step Ahead: New York Shoe Expo Showcases Hot Spring Trends

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The New York Shoe Expo is a shoe lover's dream, a three-day showcase of thousands of new designs from all over the world.

As CBS 2's Cindy Hsu reported, the latest Fashion Footwear Association of New York trade show, which began Wednesday at the New York Hilton Midtown, offers a sneak peek at next spring's hot footwear trends today.

"Going forward for spring, you're looking at pastels, but you're also looking at heights of heels maybe 3 to 4 inches," said Phyllis Rein, executive vice president of the Fashion Footwear Association.

Also look for the "d'Orsay cut," in which the side of the shoe is cut out, showing more of your foot.

Then there's the "shootie."

"A shootie has a combination, where you're having an open peep-toe with a point," Rein added. "You're also having a cutout, as well as you're having your heel."

Ballerina flats will continue to twirl, but with texture and tribal designs.

Also on point are the pointy toes -- and a lot of jewels and laser cutout designs.

Metallic and sparkly shoes are also hot -- and they're not just for casual wear.

"We're getting a lot of calls in Japan and Tokyo from young brides who are using that shoe instead of high heels or whatever to wear with their wedding gowns," Peter Davis of Joy & Mario said of the company's silver metallic canvas slip-ons.

When it comes to men's shoes, there are now a lot more choices.

"Black loafers with a black suit is boring," said Steve Lorenz, of Testosterone Shoes, which launched a few months ago. "Wear something with some detail to it. Jazz it up a little bit. Let your personality out."

If you need to make some room in your closet, the experts say you can put away the platforms and super high heels, but if you love them, keep them because the styles keep coming back around.

The Shoe Expo is not open to the public. It's for buyers in the industry. The designs that end up making it to store shelves will hit the market next month.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories