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Top 100 Shoe Trends of 2012

From Upcycled Denim Sandals to Affordable Couture Sneakers

— January 1, 2013 — Fashion
The leading shoe trends of 2012 had themes including superheroes, tie-dye and vintage.

Many products are becoming increasingly personalized and unique, and the same pattern was true in the shoe industry. Brands like Nike and Converse capitalized off of huge pop culture events, like the release of the Avengers or The Dark Knight Rises, and released special edition designs to maximize their influence. In addition to these popular styles, more and more bloggers published comprehensive and unique DIY projects that would help readers create their own shoe creations with personalized details.

Shoes will always be a hugely influential aspect of the fashion industry, and never have high-end styles been more affordable. Take, for example, Guylook’s Jewelry Spikes High Shoes, a high-end and heavily embellished pair. These were selling for less than $100, making it more affordable to step out in style.

For more information on upcoming trends, check out Trend Hunter's Shoe Trend Report.
6.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
100
Funky Foot Sleeves
Funky Foot Sleeves
The Pleasemachine Style Lab Presents 'Pour Mon Amour'
<
99
Posh Profane Footwear
Posh Profane Footwear
Undercover 'F**K the Past, F**K the Future' Tells it Like it Is
<
98
Candy-Colored Chunky Boots
Candy-Colored Chunky Boots
The Dr Martens Spring 2012 Collection is Bold and Bright
<
97
Lemonade-Hued Hightops
Lemonade-Hued Hightops
The Supra Skytop III is the Ultimate Skate Sneaker
<
96
Clashing Print Platforms
Clashing Print Platforms
The Jeffery Campbell Summer 2012 Collection is Dizzyingly High
<
95
Vegan-Friendly Footwear
Vegan-Friendly Footwear
'di Romeo' Presents Cruelty-Free Shoes
<
94
Footwear-Inspired Installations
Footwear-Inspired Installations
Minna Parikka and Jani Leinonen Combine Forces to Make Fierce Art
<
93
Athletic Wedge Heels
Athletic Wedge Heels
The Marc by Marc Jacobs' 'Calf Dorada' is Sporty Chic
<
92
Customizable Classic Kicks
Customizable Classic Kicks
The Air Jordan 2012 Shoes Feature Interchangeable Sleeves and Midsoles
<
91
Customizable Stingray Sneakers
Customizable Stingray Sneakers
Rayfish Footwear Allows You to Design Your Own Transgenic Rayfish
<
90
Luxury Animal-Printed Kicks
Luxury Animal-Printed Kicks
These Yves Saint Laurent Sneakers are Outrageously Wild.
<
89
Funky Decomposable Footwear
Funky Decomposable Footwear
Stella McCartney Reveals ‘Biodegradable' Heels
<
88
Luxury Leisure Sneakers
Luxury Leisure Sneakers
The Balenciaga Contrast Panel Trainers are Headed in the Right Direction
<
87
Stiletto-Silhouette Shoes
Stiletto-Silhouette Shoes
The Big City Sneaker Shows That Pain is Not Beauty
<
86
Animal Hooved Heels (UPDATE)
Animal Hooved Heels (UPDATE)
Outlier by Maskull Lasserre Will Deceive Mantrackers Around the World
<
85
Wonderland-Inspired Runways
Wonderland-Inspired Runways
The ‘Dress Like A Man' Fashion Show Stars the White Rabbit
<
84
Athletic Brand-Inspired Art
Athletic Brand-Inspired Art
New Balance London Experience Center Showcases Sport & Craft
<
83
Gadget-Adorned Gamer Shoes
Gadget-Adorned Gamer Shoes
The Fallout Vault Dweller Dunks are Epic and Apocalyptic
<
82
Olympic-Inspired Kicks
Olympic-Inspired Kicks
The Stadion Collection by Hummel Honors Previous Host Cities
<
81
Strappy Color-Blocked Sandals
Strappy Color-Blocked Sandals
Sigerson Morrison Spring 2012 Collection is Fresh & Fun
<
80
Ornamental Shoe Collaborations
Ornamental Shoe Collaborations
The Kenzo x Vans Autumn/Winter 2012 Collection is Sneaker is Florid
<
79
Minimalist Summer Shoes
Minimalist Summer Shoes
Envoy Presents Kicks with Style
<
78
Backward Heels
Backward Heels
The Leanie van der Vyver Scary 'Beautiful' Project Depicts Odd Perfection
<
77
Triforce Skate Shoes
Triforce Skate Shoes
The Zelda 'Twilight Princess' Vans are a Cosplay Essential
<
76
Custom Comic Cover Kicks
Custom Comic Cover Kicks
Arth Akal Paints Funky Footwear Inspired by Superheroes
<
75
Cigarette Brandishing Stilettos
Cigarette Brandishing Stilettos
The Prada Smoking Lips Sandal is Racy
<
74
Brogue-Detailed Street Kicks
Brogue-Detailed Street Kicks
Adidas Originals Adi-Rise Ups the Class Factor in Casual Sneakers
<
73
Strap-Happy Men's Footwear
Strap-Happy Men's Footwear
Deepstyle Makes Shoes for Fashion-Conscious Men
<
72
Innocently Sinister Collections
Innocently Sinister Collections
The Nasty Gal 'Cross Your Heart' Shoot is Deliciously Bad
<
71
Criss-Crossed Sneakers
Criss-Crossed Sneakers
The Nike Air Woven Euro 2012 Collection Celebrates National Football Teams
<
70
Rain Boot-Inspired Loafers
Rain Boot-Inspired Loafers
The Mark McNairy Spring Summer 2013 Shoe Collection Modernizes Classics
<
69
Faceless Model Runways
Faceless Model Runways
The A.F. Vandevorst FW 2012 Collection Features Huge Scarves and Hats
<
68
Swift Safari-Spotted Kicks
Swift Safari-Spotted Kicks
Leopard Print Nike Blazer Sneakers are Fast and Fashionable
<
67
Throwback Hollywood Kicks
Throwback Hollywood Kicks
Nike Cortez Classic OG Leather Brings Back the 'Forrest Gump' Sneakers
<
66
Hot Rod Heels
Hot Rod Heels
The Prada Spring/Summer 2012 Shoe Collection is Inspired by Classic American Cars
<
65
Funky Printed Sneaks
Funky Printed Sneaks
Converse x Marimekko Spring Collection is Patterned & Peppy
<
64
Fetching Grassy Footwear
Fetching Grassy Footwear
Yashin Kusa Shoes Let You Feel Lush Blades Between Your Toes
<
63
Superhero Film Shoes
Superhero Film Shoes
The Dark Knight Rises Toms Shoes Commemorate the Final Batman Installment
<
62
Sweet Feminine Celebratory Shoes
Sweet Feminine Celebratory Shoes
The Christian Louboutin 20th Anniversary Capsule Collection
<
61
Notched Neon Sneakers
Notched Neon Sneakers
The Reebok Insta Pump Fury Firecracker Red is Vibrantly Bold
<
60
Hellish High Heels
Hellish High Heels
MrRobbieRotten Crafts Glow-in-the-Dark Spiked Zombie Pumps for Badass Chicks
<
59
Geeky Gaming Pumps
Geeky Gaming Pumps
The 'Super Mario Wedge Heels' Will Stomp Out Goombas
<
58
Historic Hipster Kicks
Historic Hipster Kicks
Spring 2012 Vans Vault Collection Includes Expertise from Taka Hayashi
<
57
Multi-Hued Hybrid Kicks
Multi-Hued Hybrid Kicks
The Nike Huarache Free Running Shoes are Sleek and Sporty
<
56
Highlighter-Hued Kicks
Highlighter-Hued Kicks
The Fluo Derby Shoes Will Electrify Your Ensemble
<
55
Affordable Couture Sneakers
Affordable Couture Sneakers
Guylook's Jewelry Spikes High Shoes Offer Elite Style at a Low Price
<
54
Auto Body Espadrilles
Auto Body Espadrilles
The Heavy Metal Series of Heels Finds a New Application for Automotive Tech
<
53
Complex Sole Systems
Complex Sole Systems
The Adidas Mega TORSION Flex Easy Run Gets Inspired by the Originals Model
<
52
American Olympic Medalist Sneakers
American Olympic Medalist Sneakers
The Nike 'Medal Stand' Air Force 1 Lows are Patriotic
<
51
Colorful Classic Kicks
Colorful Classic Kicks
The Nike Pre Montreal Racer Sneakers are a Bright and Bold Throwback
<
50
Studded Ladylike Shoes
Studded Ladylike Shoes
The Christian Louboutin Pre-Fall 2012 Lookbook Has Something for Everyone
<
49
Tree-Climbing Ads
Tree-Climbing Ads
The Aldo Spring 2012 Campaign Stars Anais Pouliot
<
48
Predatory Fish Footwear
Predatory Fish Footwear
The Kobi Levi Shark Shoes Would Make Steven Spielberg Proud
<
47
Cute Critter Kicks
Cute Critter Kicks
Zooligans Presents Animal Shoes for Kids
<
46
Fashionable Stiletto Sheaths (UPDATE)
Fashionable Stiletto Sheaths (UPDATE)
Shoe Condoms Provide More Than Just Protection
<
45
Sporty Hybrid Designer Footwear (UPDATE)
Sporty Hybrid Designer Footwear (UPDATE)
The Nike Cole Haan LunarGrand Shoe Has Style and Comfort
<
44
Seriously Studded Fashion
Seriously Studded Fashion
Gasoline Glamour Presents Pieces with Flair
<
43
Fierce Fringed Moccasin Boots
Fierce Fringed Moccasin Boots
Ronnie Fieg Tomahawk Shoe is a Native-Inspired Hipster Treasure
<
42
Hairy High-Fashion Sneakers
Hairy High-Fashion Sneakers
Alexander McQueen Puma Shoes are Designer Kicks with Personality
<
41
Cool Coordinated Triathlete Clothing
Cool Coordinated Triathlete Clothing
The Nike Trois Collection Strives for Seamless Design
<
40
Cinematic Custom Kicks
Cinematic Custom Kicks
Brass Monki's Bodacious Boat Shoes Pay Homage to Pop Culture
<
39
Glowing Electric Sneakers
Glowing Electric Sneakers
The Neon Converses from Etsy Will Light up the Night Sky
<
38
Blank Slate Shoe Catalogs
Blank Slate Shoe Catalogs
The United Nude SS12 Lookbook Stars Whited-Out Models
<
37
Starry Shoe Shelving
Starry Shoe Shelving
Sergio Rossi Store in Casablanca is a Remarkable Space
<
36
Split-Toe Yoga Footwear
Split-Toe Yoga Footwear
Nike Free Gym Ensures Comfort During Mind-Body Workouts
<
35
3D-Printed Wedges
3D-Printed Wedges
Hoon Chung Footwear Collection Offers Curvy & Cute Styles
<
34
Cartooned High Tops (UPDATE)
Cartooned High Tops (UPDATE)
The Converse Gorillaz Collection Features Exclusive Artwork
<
33
Sweetheart Speckled Sneakers
Sweetheart Speckled Sneakers
Vans Valentine's Day Collection is Flirty and Festive
<
32
Internet-Inspired Sneakers
Internet-Inspired Sneakers
Lumen Bigott's Social Media Shoes Bring Your Laptop Love to the Streets
<
31
Piercing Sculptural Stilettos
Piercing Sculptural Stilettos
Designer Richard Braqo is Set to Release a Line of Seductive Shoes
<
30
Fired-Up Rocker-Chic Pictorials
Fired-Up Rocker-Chic Pictorials
Let Loose with 'Hey, Cool Babes' by Emman Montalvan
<
29
Posh Rocket-Packed Pumps
Posh Rocket-Packed Pumps
The Prada Spring 2012 Footwear is Fierce and Futuristic
<
28
Disheveled Ballet Editorials
Disheveled Ballet Editorials
Alexina Graham for Mojeh Magazine is Gracefully Dark
<
27
DIY Feathered Heels
DIY Feathered Heels
This 'A Pair and A Spare' Shoe Tutorial Takes Flight
<
26
Sky-High Patterned Shoes
Sky-High Patterned Shoes
The Jeffrey Campbell for Black Milk Collection is out of This World
<
25
Star Wars Kicks
Star Wars Kicks
The R2D2 Shoes are Perfect Pieces of Droid Footwear
<
24
Candy-Colored Kicks
Candy-Colored Kicks
The Reebok Freestyle 30th Anniversary Shoes are Totally Rad
<
23
Kitschy 50s Lookbooks
Kitschy 50s Lookbooks
The Steve Madden Summer 2012 Trendbook is Flirty and Vibrant
<
22
Fun Fulcrum Footwear
Fun Fulcrum Footwear
Rollerballs are Reinvented Roller Skates That Pivot on a Spherical Center
<
21
DIY Laced-Up Pumps
DIY Laced-Up Pumps
The Brit & Co. Slingbacks Project is a Great Way to Spruce up Old Shoes
<
20
Final Frontier-Inspired Footwear
Final Frontier-Inspired Footwear
The Nike Foamposite 'Galaxy' Sports a Space Exploration Theme
<
19
Sneaker-Soled Oxfords
Sneaker-Soled Oxfords
The Cole Haan Wingtip Lunargraad are the Most Comfy Dress Shoes
<
18
DIY Tin Can Pumps
DIY Tin Can Pumps
The 'Pringle of Scotland' Metal Heels are Urban Chic
<
17
Contemporary Cinderella Kicks
Contemporary Cinderella Kicks
'Invisible Shoes' by Ilanio Makes Walking a Floating Experience
<
16
Space Suit-Inspired Sneakers
Space Suit-Inspired Sneakers
The 2012 Nike Dunk Galactic Pack is Out of This World
<
15
Customized Disney Princess Kicks
Customized Disney Princess Kicks
Etsy User 'Creativity in the Making' Hand Paints TOMS Shoes
<
14
Fairytale Queen Fashion
Fairytale Queen Fashion
The Iris Van Herpen 2012 Collection is Fantastically Royal
<
13
Seussical Scenery Shoes
Seussical Scenery Shoes
The Lorax Converse Speak Towards the Environment
<
12
Couture Footwear DIYs
Couture Footwear DIYs
The Refinery 29 Painterly Pumps Tutorial is Affordably Chic
<
11
Stylish Superhero Slip-Ons
Stylish Superhero Slip-Ons
These Avenger TOMS sure Kick Ass
<
10
Carnivorous High Heels
Carnivorous High Heels
Iris van Herpen and United Nude's Fang Shoe is Literally Long in the Tooth
<
9
DIY Superhero Kicks
DIY Superhero Kicks
The Easy Comic Book Heels are Crafty
<
8
Glorious Gamer Sneakers (UPDATE)
Glorious Gamer Sneakers (UPDATE)
Vidoe Game Shoes by Brass Monki are Awesome
<
7
Sporty Ballet Shoes
Sporty Ballet Shoes
This Concept Footwear by Guercy Eugene Hopes to Make Dancing Comfortable
<
6
Ombre Kicks
Ombre Kicks
Converse's New Dip-Dye Chuck Taylors are Colorful and Relaxed
<
5
Comic Book-Themed Kicks
Comic Book-Themed Kicks
The Reebok x Marvel Sneakers are Full of Graphic Sole
<
4
DIY Customized Flip-Flops
DIY Customized Flip-Flops
The Brit & Co. Blog Shows How to Dress up Your Shoes
<
3
Upcycled Denim Sandals
Upcycled Denim Sandals
The Jeans Sandal Boots by DaniKshoes are Pants for the Feet
<
2
Minimal Material Footwear
Minimal Material Footwear
The Lasso Slippers are Made Using a Single Piece of Felt
<
1
Customizable Strappy Sandals
Customizable Strappy Sandals
Go From Boring to Fabulous Using These DIY Gladiator Wrap Sandals
<