The stylish trending shoes to know about this season
Shoes, glorious shoes. Call us predictable as a team of fashion lovers, but we really don't think you can have enough. Not only can the best shoes be the perfect finishing touch to a stylish outfit, but they can also change your whole vibe in an instant, elevating lower-key looks into something you could wear to a party and dressing down smarter pieces for casual weekend brunches.
We've been curating a capsule shoe collection for years, featuring all the timeless styles that will see us through any occasion, from classic black ballet flats to do-it-all white trainers. But when a new season begins, our heads are inevitably turned by the latest trends, and we like to pepper our footwear arsenals with a few of-the-moment touches, too. They key, as ever, is to be thoughtful about what you choose to buy; our favourite trends are those that we can see lasting years, rather than feeling dated in a few months.
Happily, AW24's trending shoes feel genuinely worth investing in, with many simply fresh, new-season updates on silhouettes we've loved for ages. See how the street style set were wearing theirs during this year's Fashion Months, below, and shop our favourite cool shoes from designer and high-street brands, too.
Pointed slingbacks
'The catwalks were awash with ladylike glamour meets office siren which cemented pencil skirts and pointed slingbacks at the top of my "must-have for autumn" shopping list,' says Red's fashion editor, Jodie Dunworth. 'Slingbacks feel cooler than standard pointed court shoes, and they allow me to get away with a smaller heel that's still comfortable to wear. Bring a flash of interest to anything from jeans to jumper dresses with a carefully chosen colour; cherry red or brilliant white keep the kitten heel from feeling too demure.'
Burgundy is the colour of the season, and we think its expensive, elegant feel pairs particularly well with chic pointed slingbacks (see also: bags). If you fancy trying something new, you may also want to make like the fashion influencers and add fine-knit socks that match the tone of your shoes – handy on chilly days.
Leopard-print heels
The print of the moment, it's no wonder that leopard-print shoes (and particularly feminine heels) are proving popular in fashion circles. 'In the spirit of 'leopard is a neutral', they'll look great with monochrome, denim and even soft tones like blush and sage,' says Jodie.
If you're not ready for something as statement as a leopard-print coat or dress, shoes are the perfect way to try taking a walk on the wide side. Try pairing them with wide-leg trousers, a white shirt and a blazer for a smarter look, or with denim and a 'nice top' for drinks. Bonus points if you make them leopard-print slingbacks and tick off two shoe trends at once.
Heeled loafers
'That ‘back to school’ mentality always sparks a trend for preppy dressing as the season changes, which only means one thing: loafers,' says Jodie. 'Think Chanel’s heeled versions, Tod’s classics and Gucci flatforms; they’re big news in every form.'
In particular, heeled loafers are enjoying somewhat of a comeback after years of flats reigning supreme, with Daisy Edgar-Jones and Taylor Swift among their champions. To make the most directional choice, look for Seventies-style platform soles and two-tone colourways.
Biker boots
Sienna Miller brought them back from the Eighties in January, wearing her biker boots with cream jeans and a snuggly shearling coat, and now the rest of us are catching on too. 'If you want a good black boot, the biker is the way to go,' says Jodie. 'Dior teamed them with everything from mini skirt suits to tartan kilts. Harley-Davidson optional.'
Square-toe biker boots in particular are bringing a contemporary edge to the shoe, which adds balancing oomph to more feminine skirts and dresses, such as lacy and ruffled styles. Or, try them with Bermuda shorts and barn jackets.
Knee-high boots
'Chloe's AW24 collection by Chemena Kamali firmly cemented knee-high (and over-knee) boots as a wardrobe staple,' says Jodie. 'They’re the shoes that'll carry all your summer dresses and skirts through to winter with perfect ease.'
Black, tan and cream are classic colours, but silver is trending (we love Sezane's metallic thigh-high pair) in the run-up to party season, as is chocolate brown. Slim heels and pointed toes make a chic combination if you're looking for an office shoe, too.
Mary Janes
Mary Janes – particularly flat styles – are such a versatile shoe, and a real workwear hero. 'Throw out any dated conceptions of Mary Janes as 'twee',' says Jodie. 'This time it's all about black gloss, studs and overall rock'n'roll energy.'
We love wearing black Mary Janes with frilly socks for that 'dark academia' vibe, and are particularly sold on the crystal-embellished pairs inspired by Alaia's bestsellers, above. There's so much choice that you'll definitely find some to suit your style.
You Might Also Like
