From pleats to fringe to standout shine, our Spring Trend Series keeps you fashionably informed for the season to come. Today, footwear steps into the spotlight. Read on for the scoop and click here for more S/S 2014 Trending!     Athletic wear, for both in and outside the gym, has been on the scene for decades. However, we have not seen such a boom in sports sandals as is occurring this spring since the 1990’s. During that decade, a rise in the popularity of extreme sport activities sparked the trend. Prior to the nineties, so-called exercise sandals were also popular in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Of note, it was never made clear weather the shoe itself exercised the foot, or whether it was simply the ideal footgear in which to exercise.     Besting these earlier opponents in both fashion and function, sport sandals are enjoying quite a comeback in 2014. Whether leather, Lycra, canvas, mesh, or plastic, styles this season are standouts. In fact, we’ve even spied pairs bedazzled with jewels. Key to this trend is an upscale, sporty vibe (rather than hiker or beach bum). To be sure, the look is locker room luxe. Below, a few examples from designer runways, plus two buy-it-now finds:  

On The Runway

    Givenchy                               Marc Jacobs                               Marni                          

Shop The Trend

  Royal Blue Sport Sandals, Prada ($830)                   Platform Wedge Sandals, Eileen Fisher ($195)                 Additional research by Natalie Starnes. All product images via individual designers and retailers.