The Rise Of The Low Profile. At the beginning of the year, I got a hamstring injury lifting heavy weights. Through trial and error, I worked out it was because of the shoes I was wearing.

Too much support — read: chunky soles.

I was able to figure this out because I’ve always trained barefoot. Growing up in Australia, I lived in thongs (yes, that’s a shoe!) or dancing shoes, and later spent years doing yoga and Pilates. It’s only more recently that I started wearing thicker soles for weight training.

Anyway, not to bore you too much — I’ve now started training in barefoot trainers from Merrell, and I’m obsessed. So much so that now, any shoes with a thicker sole or harder welt feel completely wrong.

So, I’m on a mission for soft shoes.

Fortunately, trends are on my side. With the return of ballet-inspired shoes and trainers with low profiles and softer uppers, they’re easy to come by at the moment — even New Balance has a collab with Vibram.

My motivation is mostly comfort, but of course, style has to come into it.

Some benefits to a lo pro soft shoe…

• Versatility — Works across dress codes, from denim to structured trousers.

• Adaptability — Wear them barefoot in warmer months, or with a ribbed cashmere sock in the colder ones.

• Texture Play — Suedes, cottons, and soft leathers add dimension to denim and wool.

• Modernity — Minimal lines keep the look soft, modern, and chic.

• Visual Balance — When the lower half of your outfit has more volume, a light shoe doesn’t add extra weight.

Here are my favourites — and what we’re shopping now.

Penny. 

P.S. I love how a shoe can make something you’ve had for ages feel new again. Let us show you how to evolve what you already own. Last three appointments before the end of the year!

Photo credit Net a Porter