Another fashion month has come and gone, so now that the spring/summer 2027 shows are officially behind us, the real work begins. As a fashion editor, now is the time when I sit down and truly do a proper deep dive into the collections. I’m scrutinizing each look, zooming in on every detail, and scanning the season at large so I can be sure to take it all in and do a proper analysis of what to know about next-season fashion. First up, it’s the shoes I’m fixated on.

While clothes might garner the most buzz in the immediate aftermath of a runway show, shoes and accessories will eventually drive the bulk of sales—and therefore, shape style the most. Designers were aligned on several fronts with the silhouettes and finishes of the footwear that graced their runways, and several spring shoe trends are becoming clear. First, things are getting more opulent, maximalist and well, fun. Heels arrived with crystal and floral appliqués and embellished with gemstones. Flats, too, are getting more interesting with academic-inspired brogues, derbies, and oxfords all but overtaking the humble ballerina flat.