By Imran Jalal,
Recently, the experimental New York label MSCHF took social media by storm with its big red boots – or more specifically a pair of squishy-looking TPU rubber kicks that look like they belong on the feet of robot boy Astro Boy. While the brand did not namecheck the manga icon, it did say that "cartoonishness is an abstraction that frees us from the constraints of reality" in a press release.
Call it cartoonish or comical, we are indeed in the mood for pouffy, pillowy, cloudlike and squishy designs right now. Whether it is spending time dressing up our avatars on the Bondee app in cute plush apparel and accessories or swooning over Balenciaga's sponge-like Crocs boots in real life, the blown-up quality of these items is giving us some comfort, pleasure and even a few laughs. Who's complaining?
This pair of platform sandals features puffy strips of supple lambskin leather – but we can't help but be tickled by how they remind us of strips of fondant or marshmallows. Available only through pre-orders.
Demna takes the traditional wooden clog and gives it a monolithic look with this pair that comes in a shiny effect rubber. The style is also available in a matte leather finish and a crstyal-festooned version.
These chunky rain boots created in collaboration with Crocs look like they have stepped out straight of the Bondee metaverse.
Prada loafers have been getting a bit of love among the fashion set lately – and this version with its chunky creeper soles and padded leather uppers literally takes the style to the next level.
Fendi's chunky wedge boots offer a more sexy take on the cartoon shoe trend.
Created in collaboration with Kero, these slip-on mules boast the beak shoe construction of traditional Swedish footwear.
The 10-year-old Chinese label Grape has been gaining a cult following for its bulbous and whimsical design – such as this pair of pumps which come with straps that are meant to look like wings.
The oversized pillowy bow on this lime-coloured mules is 100 per cent fun.
Still apprehensive about going full-on cartoon mode with your shoes? Try this pair of slingbacks, which features accents of pillowy flower appliques.
It's a UFO. It's a rugby ball. It's a... whimsical take on the cork sandals by Balmain.