Footwear in 2026 is about refined silhouettes, modernized classics, retro delights, statement elements, hybrid styles, and maybe some new-to-you gems. Feast or snack at the buffet of footwear trends. Wear what works for you and your style, and leave the rest. Happy feet are stylish feet, and comfortable shoes are the best shoes of all.
Generally, bulky big soles and ultra-chunky sneakers are taking a backseat. Slim-profile and refined styles take centre stage. Importantly, please don’t think you’re “out of style” or “look dated” wearing chunky shoes. Not at all. If chunky footwear makes you feel fab – wear it with a happy heart. Chunky shoes and platforms are widely available despite streamlined footwear trends. Remember that opposing aesthetics live happily side by side these days. One does not cancel the other out. It’s more about choosing your style narrative, and wearing it with confidence and intention. Case in point: when chunky shoes and platforms were trending, I stuck to dainty styles because, for all sorts of reasons, they work better for me.
Onto the trends as I see them, which cut across all seasons. Some trends are mainstream, and others fringe. Flats and heels are equally on trend.
1. Low Profile Sneakers
Slim-fit, low profile sneakers are having a fashion moment. We’re talking streamlined, no platform, and in all sorts of neutrals and non-neutrals. Colourful sneakers are gaining momentum, although feel free to wear black or white if that’s your preference. Ballet sneakers or “sneakerinas” are a fun hybrid between ballet flats and sneakers. There are also sneaker mules, gum soles, satin sneakers, and the ‘00s colourful Puma is a retro delight.
2. Woven Textures
Woven footwear in leather and manmade fibres is gaining momentum. Visually, woven shoes have lots of holes, and look a little like a wicker basket. The holes can be smaller or larger depending on how loosely or tightly the fabric is woven. Think woven mules, pumps, Mary Janes, thong sandals, ballet flats, oxfords, clogs, and slides. There are also sneaker hybrids.
Woven footwear looks textural and artisanal The open weave can feel airy and summery, while tighter weaves read polished and dressier. Most woven shoes play well with tailored pieces and relaxed silhouettes. If you enjoy texture and a bit of handcrafted charm, woven shoes are one way to update your footwear capsule.
3. Western Boots
Cowgirl boots, or boots with a Western integrity, are iconic classics having their fashion moment. They can be tall or short, and any colour or design. Like most trends these days, western boots are less about committing to a head-to-toe western look, and more about adding a touch of personality to outfits you already love. The idea is to wear cowgirl boots with anything, year round. Remixing and juxtaposing as you please.
4. Glove Pumps
Glove pumps are high vamped heeled pumps and a nod to ‘80s power dressing. The higher cut across the vamp of the foot offers more coverage, thereby creating a “glove-effect”, which is how the style gets its name. The glove pump is more practical and comfortable for some, and prevents toe-cleavage. If you enjoy a modern classic with drama, this silhouette is one way to refresh your dressy footwear capsule. Heel heights and toe box shapes vary. There are slingback styles too.
5. Jazz or Derby Shoes
Jazz or derby shoes are inspired by dance footwear and fringe trending. They are low profile, thin soled, slim-fitting, and lace-up in front. Think of it as a softer, more flexible, and more refined version of classic oxfords, or a lace-up ballet flat. It creates structure and coverage without feeling heavy. Derby shoes can look playfully interesting with cropped trousers, skirts, dresses, shorts, and relaxed denim. If you enjoy a touch of androgyny or preppy charm, this is one way to add interest to outfits while staying comfortable. Granted, you need to be able to wear flat shoes with ease. Leather soled versions tend to feel more supportive and not as close to the ground.
8. Mesh and Transparent Shoes
Jellies are transparent plastic shoes across a range of styles that nod back to the ‘80s. The jellies I remember best are fisherman sandals across a range of pastels. Mesh continues to evolve in interesting ways. Think mesh flats and Mary Janes with refined trims and patterns, sheer slingbacks, or sandals with translucent panels that create the illusion of barely-there coverage.
10. Pointy Toes and Square Toes
The pointy toe shape is varied. Some are long, refined, and witchy. Some are short and blunt. Some are gently almond toe. Some are snip toe. Their counterpoint is the equally on trend extreme square toe, which can shorten the look of the foot. Square toes are a good roomy toe box option. Pointy toed footwear is a good fit for pointy shaped feet that are on the narrower side.
11. Embellishments
Embellished footwear packs a punch. Think studs, beads, buckles, sequins, crystal trims, embroidery, metallic hardware, bows, flowers, tassels and pom poms, all of which add subtle texture or boldness to your look. Embellished footwear can make a simple outfit look interesting, thereby making it an easy and fast styling tool.
12. Tall Boots
Tall boots across a range of dressy and casual styles with either flat or high heels continue to trend and are gaining momentum. They are typically worn with skirts, dresses, and shorts. Occasionally worn over roomier pants and jeans for a knickerbocker-effect. You can wear them over skinnies and slim straights too.
13. Loafers
Chunky loafers have been all the rage for a good few seasons. Please carry on if this is your preferred look. Refined loafer styles are aligned with the streamlined footwear trend, so there’s something for everyone. There are also slipper flats, loafers with tassels and hardware, horse bits, fringe, buckles, and high heels. The idea is to wear loafers with everything. Gone are the days that loafers are best with slim straights a al Audrey Hepburn. Think further by wearing them with shorts, dresses, skirts, utility pants, drapey pleated puddle pants, or slouchy jeans.
14. Mary Janes
Picture just about any style of closed toe shoe as a Mary Jane, and it’s on trend. Heeled, flat, dressy, casual, refined, and with any shape of toe box. The strap secures the shoe in place on the foot, which prevents it from falling off like some slip-ons can. The strap can be positioned higher or lower on the vamp of the foot.
15. Round, Block and Cuban Heels
Shoes with circular heels and block heels are there. Circular heels that appear round from the side are a fringe trend, and can be low or high heel heights. Block heels that slant to the outside are a fringe trend. Cuban heels, which are typically thick low heels that grow narrower towards the bottom, are coming through in all sorts of footwear too.
16. Riding Boots
Classic, sleek and tailored riding boots in black and brown are having a fringe fashion moment. They are flat, refined, and worn with skirts, dresses, and shorts of any length. Or worn the equestrian way over skinny bottoms.
17. Slouchy Boots
This style of boot is heeled or flat, and wide on the leg, so much so that it falls down and slouches around the lower leg. The height and slouch of the boots vary. Some are tall and slouch very dramatically because they are made of soft, floppy fabric. Some boots are shorter and their slouch is structured. It’s a fringe trend with a nod to you guessed it – ‘80s fashion.
18. Kitten Heels
For those who prefer a lower heel with a refined touch, kitten heels are an option. To recap, a kitten heel is a short stiletto heel below 2 inches in height. The heel curves in from the back edge of the shoe. You’ll find kitten heels on sandals, mules, slingbacks, boots, and pumps.
19. Metallics, Patent, Animal Print
Patent and metallic shoes are often leather, and ANY shoe style can be patent or metallic. Cracked patent is a fringe trend. Animal prints like leopard, cheetah, snake skin, cow, zebra, pony, and giraffe are having a fashion moment. ANY shoe can be animal print. Neutrals like black, all shades of brown, and all shades of white reign supreme. Navy and grey are there is smaller doses.
20. Stiletto Pumps
The high heeled, pointy toe, classic stiletto pump wafts in and out of fashion. It’s refined, and does not have a platform. It’s back as a dressy option to wear as a glam option with jeans, casual pants, a professional option with business attire, or to a smart event with a dress, jumpsuit, or separates. Add it to the list of ‘80s fashion influences.
21. Wedges
Wedges are fringe trending in any style of shoe. From sandals, pumps, mules and boots, to sneakers and Mary Janes. Wedge sandals and espadrilles are classics we see every season. Their wedge heels can be high or low. Ballerina wedges take us back to the ‘00s, and are fringe trending.
22. Fancy Flats
Think of DRESSY closed toe shoes with heels up to about an inch high, and they are on trend. They can be ballet flats, mules, Mary Janes, slingbacks, or ankle strap flats. Shiny patent and metallics look particularly dressy. High vamped ballet flats are a nice change from low vamped ballet flats.
23. Heeled Mules and Slides
The flat mule and slide has been enjoying its revived fashion glory for a while. The young generation continues to like wearing super casual flat slides with visible socks. Its cousins, the high-heeled dressier versions are on-trend too. Toe boxes are round, pointy, or square. Heels are stacked, block, wedged, or narrow.
24. Boat Shoes
Boat shoes are a necessary component of fashion themes like Modern Academia and Fresh Preppy, and another nod to the ‘80s. They can be thought of as a sneaker and loafer hybrid, and can be worn similarly as a substitute. Boat shoes come in all sorts of colours, and a few patterns. There are colour blocked versions too.
25. Strappy Sandals
These sandals have dainty narrow straps, sometimes many of them, and a narrow high stiletto heel. Sometimes there’s an ankle strap, or d’orsay detailing. Every so often the heels are stacked, but stiletto is the norm. Thankfully, there are low heeled and flat versions too.
26. Clogs
The iconic classic and casual ‘70s clog continues to enjoy a fashion moment despite all things ‘80s. Wear them in any colour and pattern. Some clogs are simple, while others are adorned with hardware like bits, studs, and grommets. Some are very high heeled and platformed, and others much flatter. They are an easy slip-on, and can be paired with fun socks that match your look.
I am set in my ways with footwear because my feet are fussy. I do not compromise on comfort, and I don’t wear high heels. If the trends work for my feet, style, and sartorial preferences, bonus! If they don’t, I move on. Right now my footwear collection is trendier than expected because the classics and refined footwear styles I prefer wearing are having a fashion moment.
From this list of trends, I wear classic loafers, fancy flats, ankle strap flats, ankle strap pumps, woven shoes, buckled flats, Mary Janes, patent, round and block heels, square toes, pointy toes, snip toes, metallics, Western boots, and tall tailored boots. I’ll happily continue wearing my very essential and comfortable collection of refined flat ankle boots whether they are on trend on not. And maybe I’ll find a fab-for-me pair of ballet sneakers and kitten heel glove pumps for Summer.
How do these footwear trends look to you?
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