What is the "Wrong Shoe Theory"?
Fashionistas often use this stylistic trick.
Fashionistas at Copenhagen Fashion Week. Photo: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)
The term "wrong shoe theory" was introduced by American celebrity stylist Alison Bornstein. The idea is that an unexpected, dissonant pair of shoes in an outfit adds more individuality to it.
"Working with clients and analyzing the style of our favorite celebrities, I realized: what makes an outfit interesting and personal is adding accessories that look a little alien or don't quite match the overall mood of the rest of the outfit," Bornstein told Vogue.
For example, actress Elle Fanning appeared in Cannes in 2023 in classic trousers and flip-flops. And actress Katie Holmes once walked the red carpet not in heels, but in ballet flats under a long knitted dress.
Fashionistas at the recent Copenhagen Fashion Week also used this trick. They combined voluminous cargo pants with snake-print shoes, and camouflage shorts with open mules, writes Harper's Bazaar.
The main highlight of the style of show attendees was a complete lack of regularity. The contrast was evident not only in aesthetics but also in symbolism: utilitarian items were combined with luxury and light shoes and accessories.
The fashion publication notes: the democratization of fashion and people's desire to show their individuality and complexity through diversity in clothing gives rise to a "style of contradictions."