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When I tell you that I’ve spent the last week scouring every single runway show from the fall/winter 2026 season, zooming in on look after look to bring you this guide to fashion month’s most memorable shoe trends, I’m not being dramatic. It’s a labor of love, and one I’m happy to do. Shoes, after all, are kind of my weakness, so every minute I spent dissecting them on the catwalk for all of you is just as much for my own selfish means. Let’s just say there’s a hefty fall 2026 shoe wish list forming—and no, my wallet is not ready.
My callouts? High-vamp pumps continued to dominate, with an especially strong showing during New York Fashion Week at Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Khaite, Proenza Schouler, and Tory Burch. Polished animal prints were another standout, appearing at Saint Laurent and Jil Sander. Plus, if you’re getting married next fall, consider your “something blue” handled, with little blue shoes proving to be on every designer’s mind right now. Matthieu Blazy at Chanel and Pieter Mulier at Alaïa did them best. That’s not all, of course. There are lots more shoe trends where those came from, all of which can be found below.
Fortunately, for anyone not patient enough to wait until fall to start shopping the shoe trends that debuted on the fall/winter 2026 runways, many of the best ones are available to shop already. Keep scrolling to get started.
Fall/Winter 2026 Shoe Trends
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)
High Vamps
Ever since Phoebe Philo’s Club Slippers arrived on the shoe scene last year, fashion people have been enamored with high-vamp pumps—and it showed on the fall/winter 2026 runways, particularly in New York. Tory Burch, Calvin Klein, Proenza Schouler, Khaite, and Michael Kors all debuted versions of their own, garnering plenty of attention online, as attendees made comparisons and decided which pairs they’d be purchasing come fall. What makes this shoe so desirable? It’s comfortable, especially the low-heel versions made by Philo and Reformation.
Phoebe Philo
Club Slipper
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)
Fierce Prints
Animal prints for fall? Not exactly groundbreaking. Somehow, though, brands like Jil Sander, Khaite, and Saint Laurent still managed to create fresh-feeling animal-print footwear to debut at their respective fall/winter 2026 shows in Milan, New York, and Paris. A pointed toe dipped in snakeskin, an experimental “leopard” pattern, and a high-vamp shape all contributed to making fierce prints gain back a sense of newness that fell away after so many seasons of the same old styles trending.
Manolo Blahnik
Carolyne Calf Hair Pump
COS
Square-Toe Leather Heel Loafers
Sézane
Matilda Low Ballerinas
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)
The Boots
There are boots, and then there are *the* boots that debuted on the fall/winter 2026 runways in Paris and New York, in particular. Tom Ford’s show by Haider Ackermann (his second for the brand) was stocked full of sleek, sexy stiletto boots paired with pencil skirts—a combination that will be everywhere come fall. Khaite and Schiaparelli, too, included this sophisticated, yet edgy boot silhouette, only adding to its appeal.
Reformation
Claudette Knee Boot
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)
Something Blue
This trend isn’t just for brides, but if you are getting hitched this fall, you’ll have no trouble finding your “something blue.” Just walk into your closest Chanel or Alaïa and take your pick. From satin ballet flats at Carven to knee-high, hand-stitched feather boots at Prada, there was no shortage of blue footwear on the runways this season, making for a fun, unexpected shoe trend worth investing in come autumn.
Reformation
Waldena Baby Wedge
VALENTINO GARAVANI
Reinette Satin Mules
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)
Twice Toned
The two-tone shoe trend has always been run by Chanel, but Matthieu Blazy’s version transformed the style from a forever classic to an It item—*the* It item. It started with his spring/summer 2026 shoe offering for the French house, which is currently going viral online as fashion people fight over stock in Paris (and now, New York and more cities). The fall/winter 2026 shoe collection, though, is arguably even stronger, and two-tone styles are included throughout. Whether you’re looking for ballet flats, pumps, or even boots, brands like Ferragamo, Ulla Johnson, and, of course, Chanel, have you covered,
CHRISTEN
Tabi Split-Toe Ballet Flats
Source Unknown
Cap-Toe Ballet Flats
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)
Royal Jewels
Last season, rhinestones were encrusted on footwear at Prada and more. Now, for fall, brands are taking a more subtle approach, coloring their shoes in rich, luxurious jewel tones. Moody shades of royal purple, jade green, sapphire, ruby, and tourmaline were scattered throughout this season’s collections, at Ferragamo, Jil Sander, Balmain, Balenciaga, Zankov, Carolina Herrera, Christian Dior, and Khaite. Essentially, the royal jewels were everywhere—or better yet, will be everywhere come fall 2026.
ZARA
Leather Mule Sandals
Saint Laurent
Chandelle Mules
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)
Timeless T-Straps
Sometimes, a classic shoe just needs a brand or two to reinvent it to give it some life and a new era, which is exactly what happened at Christian Dior, Calvin Klein, Givenchy, Jacquemus, and Givenchy with T-strap heels. We all probably have (or have had) at least one pair in our closets, but they’ve likely been gathering dust. Now, unique styling options and playful colors, twists, and patterns have made T-strap heels feel fresh again.
MANGO
Strappy Heeled Sandals
CELINE
Cage Heeled Sandal
EMME PARSONS
Leandra Satin Pumps
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)
Thigh Highs
We often see thigh-high or over-the-knee boots on catwalks due to their high-impact look, but rarely do pairs that actually feel wearable debut, and this season, those are the exact styles we saw grace the runway at Chloé, Hermès, Khaite, and Ralph Lauren. It’s really all about styling, and finding ways to make over-the-knee boots look approachable but still like a statement. At Khaite, models donned them with just coats, as if to replace pants, and at Hermès, they were styled with leggings and tunics, giving the combination from the early to mid 2000s a much-needed update.
CHLOÉ
Eve Over-The-Knee Boots
Neil J. Rodgers
Meg Over-the-Knee Boot
STAUD
Sebastian Over-the-Knee Boots
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)
A Satin Touch
Satin shoes for fall might be risky, but after looking through all the pairs that debuted on the fall/winter 2026 runways this fashion month, I’m too in love with my options to care about what’s “practical.” Carven, Michael Kors, and Schiaparelli all debuted art-like footwear options in soft, shiny satin, as did Nº21, Zankov, Sandy Liang, and Loro Piana.
Shop Satin Shoes
STAUD
Sebastian Satin Mules
Source Unknown
Reva Satin Mule Heels
Why Trust Us?
At Who What Wear, fashion is our specialty. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognizable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality, and real-world wearability.
We regularly try pieces ourselves, including everything from bestselling jeans to designer shoes, speak to external experts and fashion insiders, and stay closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise and has to pass our exceptional taste levels—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.
