Chloé has just opened the doors to its retrospective exhibition and interestingly, its two of its past creative directors  that are responsible for spearheading the new practical and realistic approach to dressing that others are only just clocking on to. Earlier on this week Phoebe Philo showed a collection that would stand any woman in good stead no matter what scenario came her way and the same was true of Stella McCartney with her S/S13 collection.

Stella always does the masculine/feminine aesthetic to perfection but this season, more so than ever, she captured the need for freedom, something Raf Simons stressed at Dior too. Far from being restrictive, the loose silhouette, which dominated throughout, looked comfortable but polished. Trousers had a slouch and easy relaxed fit without looking too undone. Jackets were sporty and modern teamed with sheer insets and overlays, which were also incorporated along the hemlines of block coloured dresses in both orange and a rich green. As far as tailoring goes, the proportions were oversized and jackets were cut away from the body, something she toyed with last season after a few collections of body conscious silhouettes.

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This season's new height (or lack thereof) started at Haider Ackermann's S/S12 show. It's not often that the word 'trend' and 'Haider Ackermann' are used in the same sentence, for he's amongst the rare breed of designs so attune to his own vision that tapping into any big trend is never more than a mere coincidence. Nevertheless, the backless brogues that he showed alongside his low slung masculine trousers last season has had a serious ripple effect. The fact that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have rarely been spotted without them is a pretty good indicator too.

Don't get me wrong, flats aren't anything new. I mean, what woman doesn't own a ballet flat or three but these styles are different. The feeling is far from conservative and is definitively not only the preserve of women who work in the city or want to be 'taken seriously'. Just like the clothes for fall, it seems that designers are becoming more attune to what women actually need, as opposed to simply pumping out killer heel after killer heel as has been too often been the case. With the world out there being tough enough right, being held back by your shoes of all things doesn't make sense anymore.

While I've always been a sucker to heels - I blame Victoria Beckham's book 'That Extra Half Inch - the idea of a good pair of flats has been growing on me. What with the shows just around the corner, the need to find something practical that takes me from shows to appointments and the odd event or two has become my mission and thankfully, there's a lot of good styles out there. Christian Louboutin, who has been one of the major influencers of the ever increasing height of heels, has even succumbed to the charm of the flat offering a really fun, quirky pair in tartan with studded black toe caps. Charlotte Olympia's kitty loafers have persuaded even the most die hard heels fans to go low and even Chloé have created a great fringed pair that are the perfect nod to this season's masculine feel. My style of choice? A pair of gold chunky brogues from Marni that will I know I'll wear to death.

As the above names show, everyone is doing it and it isn't just the big labels either. ASOS probably have the best selection around from the more classic ballet flat styles to cool loafers and timeless brogues.

Are you convinced?

SHOP THE EDIT: 1. Tartan loafers, £545, Christian Louboutin at Net-A-Porter; 2. Fringed loafers, £505, Chloe at Net-A-Porter; 3. Glitter loafers, £295, Jimmy Choo at Net-A-Porter; 4. Velvet covered leather loafers, £420, Miu Miu at Net-A-Porter; 5. Metallic leather brogues, £370, Marni at Net-A-Porter; 6. Leather and velevt creepers, £310, McQ at Net-A-Porter; 7. Loafer shoes, £38, ASOS;  8. Tassled loafers, £110, Bass Washington at ASOS

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While I loved the Fall 2012 Chloé collection, I was amongst the many people questioning when Claire Waight Keller would put her own stamp on the label and shake things up. Having seen the images of the label's Resort 2013 collection, I've changed my mind.

The collection was everything you would expect from Chloé, feminine, practical and comfortable but that's not actually a bad thing. Like a good loyal pair of jeans, you can easily slip into any of it. What it does show is that Waight Keller is completely at grips with what the brand's DNA and what the Chloé woman wants.

The romantic feel came from pieces like a pair of pink shorts with a a subtly scalloped hemline and a series of white dresses that you will easily be able to rely on season after season; but it wasn't all frills and femininity. Crisp poplin and cotton grosgrain added a sharpness to shirts and blouses, which served as the perfect counterbalance to the girlie pieces.

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Their designs may appeal to a younger customer compared to other luxury brands but Chloé is by no means a young brand. This year sees the french company mark their 60th anniversary and as you would expect, they have a lot in store to mark the occasion.

On September 28 the brand will take over the art space at Palais de Tokyo in Paris to unveil an exhibition curated by Judith Clark to 'translate the unique spirit of the brand', Chloé's chief executive officer Geoffroy de la Bourdonnaye told WWD. Rather than being a retrospective like Louis Vuitton's recent exhibition in the Louvre, this one will be more of a 'collage of ideas', Claire Waight Keller explained, and will feature pieces created by former creative directors like Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney and Phoebe Philo.

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When Isabel Marant does something, it catches on and her wedges sneakers are a case in point. Since appearing on the runway the style has become a firm favourite amongst celebrities off-duty like Beyonce and Miranda Kerr. Even more interesting is the fact that many editors have swapped their Louboutin's and incredibly high heels for comfortable variations on the style to attend the shows too and it's clear why.

I have never been a big trainers girl - despite being inspired by Taylor Tomasi Hill to buy a pair - but this is something that I have decided to invest in. Like the pyjama trend that I wrote about recently, the Marant style wedged trainer signals a move even further towards the current concern for functionality and comfort in fashion, which many brands are tapping into at the moment.

While they do have a heel there is no denying that the subtle wedge straddles the perfect balance between an informal trainer and easy to wear wedge and besides, they're perfect for those busy days pounding the pavement. What more could you need?

Are you convinced?

Left to right: Beige leather and suede trainers, £262, See by Chloe at My-Wardrobe; White Athlete wedge heel trainers, £75, Topshop

Image via The New York Times

We're not even half way through 2012 and the year has already proved a big one for Stella McCartney. Already this year she has celebrated turning 40 years-old, although you would never guess from seeing her in the flesh, and it also marks the 10th anniversary of her label. Not bad for a designer who was initially snubbed by the fashion industry and publicly criticised by Karl Lagerfeld after she was announced as his successor at Chloé back in 1997. 'I think they should have taken a big fashion name,' he said at the time. 'They did, but in music, not fashion.'

Despite the initial criticism, McCartney couldn't be doing any better right now. According to the most recent reports, profits at her brand are up by 4.4% and her freestanding stores internationally now tally up at around 24 including her amazing new Brompton Cross space which houses all of her lines including her much loved kidswear collection - and that's not all. Back in 2010 she was announced as the first fashion designer charged with creating the Olympics kit for the British team.

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Last season Claire Waight Keller arrived at Chloé after a fairly long stint at Pringle of Scotland and unfortunately, she failed to get the press and buyers excited. The second collection for the brand was different. Waight Keller tapped into the essence of the brand and really got into her stride.

Anyone that has been a fan of Chloé will be happy with the brand's fall offerings, as all of the foundations were there. As Mickey Boardman said a few years ago, if the French mother is wearing Yves Saint Laurent or Lanvin her daughter is wearing Chloé and it's true. The fresh colour palette and combination of femininity meets masculine tailoring is the perfect uniform for the young woman and that exactly what Waight Keller delivered.

See the collection after the jump