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Kate Moss Paired Her Denim Mini Skirt With a Summer Shoe Trend I Thought I’d Never See on Over 50s

Our take

The fashion world paused as Kate Moss redefined summer style in Formentera. Eschewing flip-flops, the icon paired her denim mini skirt with a surprising footwear choice: a 2000s-era summer shoe trend. It’s a bold move that proves even timeless icons can embrace unexpected trends. This effortless pairing speaks to a confidence rooted in personal style—a sensibility we explore further in "60 Awesome, Cheap Things That Make You Look Way Bougier," where we uncover accessible luxuries to elevate your everyday.
 Kate Moss Paired Her Denim Mini Skirt With a Summer Shoe Trend I Thought I’d Never See on Over 50s

The fashion landscape is perpetually in flux, a fascinating dance between nostalgia and innovation. The recent sighting of Kate Moss in Formentera, pairing a denim mini skirt with a decidedly “dated” shoe trend from the 2000s – a style previously relegated to the dusty corners of our collective memory – is a compelling microcosm of this dynamic. It's a moment that speaks volumes about the cyclical nature of style, the power of a singular icon, and the shifting definitions of what constitutes "luxury" and "cool." We’ve seen this push and pull before, a rejection of fleeting trends in favor of rediscovered classics, as highlighted in No Suitcase, No Trainers—This is the Bag and Shoe Trend Stylish Dressers Are Wearing to the Airport Instead, demonstrating a move towards considered, timeless choices. The revival of these early-aughts shoes, particularly when juxtaposed with a modern, minimalist aesthetic like Moss’s denim skirt, isn't about a wholesale return to the era's excesses, but rather a selective reinterpretation, stripping away the more chaotic elements and focusing on the core silhouette.

What makes this particular moment so significant is the generational context. The article framing this as a "shoe trend I thought I'd never see on over 50s" underscores the breaking down of age-related style constraints. For years, fashion dictated a certain aesthetic trajectory for women past a particular age, often prioritizing conservative and “polished” looks. However, the rise of "quiet luxury" and a broader cultural shift towards embracing individuality – a concept explored in 60 Awesome, Cheap Things That Make You Look Way Bougier – has liberated women to wear what they genuinely love, regardless of perceived age-appropriateness. Moss, a perennial style icon, embodies this freedom. Her choices aren’t driven by trends but by a personal sense of style and an understanding of how to make even a potentially “dated” item feel fresh and relevant. It's a powerful message of self-assuredness and a rejection of prescriptive beauty standards. The nonchalant ease with which she pulls off this look is, in itself, a statement about confidence and owning one's style.

The broader implications extend beyond individual style choices. This signals a potential re-evaluation of what constitutes "cool" in the fashion world. For so long, the industry has prioritized the "new" and the "next big thing," often at the expense of appreciating enduring silhouettes and reimagining past trends. Moss's look suggests a growing appreciation for history and a willingness to mine the past for inspiration, but with a distinctly modern sensibility. It's not about replicating the 2000s; it's about extracting the essence of a particular style and recontextualizing it for today. This aligns with a broader trend in fashion, where sustainability and mindful consumption are increasingly valued, leading to a greater appreciation for well-made, timeless pieces that can be worn and restyled across seasons. The influence of stylists, as seen in I'm an L.A. Stylist—These Are the Cool Brands You'll Find in My Wardrobe, also plays a crucial role in shaping these re-evaluations, curating looks that blend vintage and contemporary elements.

Ultimately, Kate Moss’s Formentera ensemble isn’t just about shoes; it’s about a paradigm shift in fashion. It's a testament to the enduring power of personal style, the dismantling of ageist beauty standards, and the growing appreciation for a more thoughtful, cyclical approach to fashion. The question now is, will this selective revival of past trends become a widespread phenomenon, or will it remain a fleeting moment of nostalgic cool? And, perhaps more importantly, how will designers and brands respond to this renewed interest in reinterpreting the past, ensuring that these revivals feel authentic and relevant, rather than simply derivative?

Kate Moss’s annual sojourn to Formentera, the quaint and balmy island just south of Ibiza, continues. Each August, she returns to the Balearics to enjoy the tranquil waters and blistering heat before the chaos that is fashion month begins. And given her supermodel status, it should come as no surprise to see that Moss takes her European Summer wardrobe a little more seriously than others.

This year, she’s already delivered quite a few notable looks, from the dual Hermès bags she carried in lieu of luggage when she arrived at the port, to the Jackie Kennedy-inspired silk-scarf-and-oversized-sunglasses combination she styled for a beach day. Indeed, with the 52-year-old synonymous with bohemian dressing with a rock’n’roll sensibility, there was no possibility her vacation attire would be anything but conventional. This was extended to her shoe choices earlier today when the former wellness maven stepped out to run errands in the sandal trend I assumed was relegated to the 2000s.

An image of Kate Moss wearing a denim mini skirt with gladiator sandals.

(Image credit: Backgrid UK)

For the occasion, she paired her black lace-trim tank top with a raw-hem denim mini skirt and lace-up gladiator sandals. Despite a fervour for all things noughtie sweeping the sartorial zeitgeist, it seems that this controversial lace-up style has not yet encountered the same warm reception as other shoe styles dated to the decade have; jelly flip-flops, wedge trainers, metallic ballet flats, you get the gist.

That was until the recent press tour for Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey. Despite her minimal, albeit scene-stealing, on-camera time, Zendaya used the film’s promotional run as an opportunity to prove why she was cast as Athena, the Greek goddess of war and wisdom. Between her Matières Fécales angel wings and fresh-from-the-runway Schiaparelli couture, she also wore a pair of Sophia Webster heeled gladiator sandals that criss-crossed all the way up to her knees.

An image of Zendaya wearing gladiator sandals to promote The Odyssey.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

As many of us who lived through the first reign of gladiator sandals can agree, the thought of encasing our feet in these swathes of bronze cords again should be approached with caution. But with more tastemakers co-signing on this style’s comeback, it appears it will only be a matter of time before these tie-up shoes hit the mainstream again. If you’re rearing to invest in them now and give them one shot before summer takes its final bow, scroll through to shop the best gladiator sandals currently available.

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