While you’ve likely considered which seasonal trends or capsule wardrobe essentials you might want to add to your repertoire this autumn, have you figured out which shoe trends will be joining them?
Once something of an afterthought, footwear has become a particularly effective way of expressing personal style over recent seasons, sometimes even overshadowing the outfit itself, especially with some of the outrageous styles that have been spotted on the runways.
And with boho fashion coming back in full force, thanks to viral appearances by It girls like Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sydney Sweeney, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing the return of this controversial ’70s shoe (see number 9).
However, with seemingly endless ‘must have’ styles hitting trend reports over recent months, it can be hard to whittle things down.
Here are the only nine shoe trends I think you should consider for autumn…
1. THE OXBLOOD HEEL
Burgundy has always been a favourite hue amongst the fashion set for autumn and it’s already taken over our bags, but oxblood is the colour to reach for if you’re looking at heels this season. In a dark, sultry hue deeper than cherry but not as earthy as brown, it’s the in-between nature of this colour that makes your favourite kitten heel all the sexier.
2. THE COMBAT BOOT
What’s autumn without a hardworking boot? While we love a boot with a dainty heel, let’s be honest, most of the time we’ll be reaching for the wider silhouette that can go with jeans and dresses alike. Loewe and Coach gave us plenty of inspo with their hardware-forward moto boots, while models at Miu Miu marched down the runway in lust-worthy buckle-clad combat boots.
3. THE FUZZY SHOE
Love it or hate it, the fuzzy shoe is the shoe trend of autumn/winter 2024. Stomping down the runways of every brand from Ferragamo to Erdem, the shoes of the season are more akin to pets or plush toys than they are to accessories, and who doesn’t love an adorable teddy bear? The best part is, the style is so outrageous, you could keep the rest of your outfit simple and let your plushy pairs take the spotlight.
4. THE DESIGNER COLLAB TRAINER
Designers collaborating with shoe brands is a tale as old as time, but what we’re seeing, and appreciating, is the latest luxurious takes on chunky, sometimes “ugly” trainers. The most coveted of them all is of course the Loewe x On Cloudtilt collab, blending Loewe’s designer appeal with the technical prowess of the cult running shoe brand, but Ecco’s collabs with the likes of Peter Do and Kiko Kostadinov are close runner-ups.
5. THE PLATFORM BOOT
Platform shoes are having a huge moment. This summer they’ve elevated (literally) flip flops and sandals alike, in no small part thanks to the ‘90s style resurgence, but its chunky appeal continues through autumn, with platform boots and loafers sure to become dominant as the temperatures drop. What I love is how they elongate the legs, allowing you to still look sleek under all the inevitable layers we’re set to pile on come winter.
6. THE TWO-TONE LOAFER
Every season, a new loafer finds favourite amongst the fashion set, and this season it’s the preppy, two-tone style. French brand Nomasei’s Nono loafers with their universally-flattering heel and charming buckle has been seen on everyone from Bella Hadid to Nicole Kidman, and when we found out that the designers behind the label Paule Tenaillon & Marine Braquet are Chloe, Dior and Jil Sander alums, it all made sense. Don’t take our word for it, have a look for yourself.
7. THE MESH HEEL
The mesh heel trend has been cosigned by Gigi Hadid and Margot Robbie and who are we to argue? Mesh flats may have been the shoe of spring/summer 2024, but it has taken on a more grown-up quality for autumn in the form of delicate mesh heels. The good news for all the flat-loving girlies is that these heels are not all that high. They’re just there to provide a little umph as our trouser hem lengths descend for autumn.
8. THE COWBOY BOOT
Call it the Taylor Swift effect, but cowboy boots have crept back up the hot-shoe list and become one of the styles we can’t stop thinking about for autumn. We saw an inkling of interest last year with Khaite’s Dallas 45 boot sold out everywhere before Christmas, but we’re seeing even more contemporary brands put their own spin on the Western staple. We’re partial to the ones with super-sleek details around the toes, making look ultra-chic as they peek out the bottom of our trousers.
9. THE MODERN CLOG
If you missed the boat on those Chloé platform Jeannette clogs that were papped lining their autumn/winter 2024 frow, never fear! Here’s your second chance for autumn. If the style is a tad on the clunky side for you, invest in the Judith studded clogs in a sleeker silhouette, first spotted out and about on Daisy Edgar-Jones on her whirlwind Twister press tour. We love that while it definitely screams boho, there’s something quite modern about the mini heel and dainty shape.
For more from Glamour UK’s Fashion Editor Rosie Lai, follow her on Instagram @rosielai.