Universal Standard Is Bringing Size Inclusivity to Footwear
Universal Standard began with an ambitious goal: change the way fashion thinks about size. Since launching in 2015, the direct to consumer line has led the pack when it comes to inclusivity, offering its customers an unprecedented 00 to 40 range—not to mention a groundbreaking collaboration with Rodarte which dropped in April of this year. Now founders Alexandra Waldman and Polina Veksler have set their sights on a new challenge: footwear. A year in the making, the line’s first boots make their debut today.
Black leather with block heels and metallic trim, both styles are appealing; dubbed the Lisbon, the knee-high version comes with a built-in legging and calls to mind on-trend shoes such as Balenciaga’s knife heels. Their Porto ankle sock bootie, on the other hand, echoes a classic Chelsea boot. "What we’re about is access for all women who love and appreciate fashion,” shared Waldman on the phone from the brand's New York headquarters. “[We are] Making shoes or boots that everyone or a vast majority of women can get into.”
Universal Standard Is Bringing Size Inclusivity to Footwear
Offered from size 6 to 13, the boots go beyond most footwear lines, the majority of which top out at 11. Their pliable fabric also addresses the differences in calf width that can make shoe-shopping arduous. Waterproof, anti-microbial, and able to retain its form-fitting shape no matter how the wearer customizes it, the material that makes up the knit portion of each shoe pairs seamlessly with leather. “I thought the design would be a beautiful way to feature any leg that wanted to fit into it,” says Waldman. “We paid a lot of attention to the fabrications and experimented with different variations. You have to see different kinds of leather and how they translate.”
Comfort was key. The stacked heels, insoles, and metallic details all received a thorough examination before the boots were ready for production. “We knew we had something we liked from a style and design perspective, but we also really wanted to give it a proper wear test,” says Waldman, who put each pair through the wringer. “Once your foot is bent, does it create that huge crease? How does all of this work in terms of wear-ability?”
A self-described “huge fan” of shoes, Waldman has an expansive collection and admits to letting her “selfish gene” have some input into the design process. “I just want to have an amazingly comfortable, super fashionable heel that gives you a bit of height and looks stylish,” she says. With the shoes online today, she hopes her audience gets the chance to make Universal Standard’s latest creation their own. “We don’t want anyone to change to be closer to our style. We want them to be themselves and make these pieces a reflection of who they are.”
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Originally Appeared on Vogue
