These Shoes Are OUT, According to Experts

We all have our go-to fall shoes we wear year after year—classic black ankle boots, anyone? While there's nothing wrong with these staples (and you absolutely should keep wearing them!), we bet you're looking to invest in a few new shoe styles this season to keep your vibe fresh and current. The issue is simply deciphering exactly what's worth testing out and what you should avoid for the most of-the-moment look. 

To help pinpoint the shoe styles that are in and out in the world of fall footwear, we tapped some of our favorite shoe designers to spill on everything you should toss and try right now. Some of these picks may surprise you, while others may be totally right up your alley (as in you'll want to whip out your credit card and add them to cart ASAP).

Keep scrolling for the ultimate fall shoe guide—and shop some of the absolute musts of the season. 

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In: "Mid-shin boots are the perfect style this season, especially when paired with cropped denim. Velvet is also proving a standout texture for fall, and we're excited to be introducing this with a modern twist," Dear Frances designer Jane Frances told us.

Out: "You can put the flatforms away this season," Frances says.

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In: "I'm really into embroidered booties or booties with fringe—anything that has more flair and movement," Rebecca Minkoff told us.

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In: "For fall, I'm really excited about mules, especially our square-toed Gem or Gywnne versions on low-block heels. They are great to wear all day, for weekend or work. I'm also obsessed with white! Our Calvin mules are really cool with a pointed toe—they have a real '90s Calvin Klein vibe to them," ASKA designer and creative director Kate Gordon told us.

Out: "I'm over spiky stilettos and lots of hardware on shoes. For fall, I like something refined and chic," says Gordon.

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In: "Feminine sneakers are the It shoes for this season," says Kaanas creative director Liliana Acevedo. "I'm all about the touches of metallic and embossed leather details combined with soft shades of blush and sand."

Out: "High-tops had their 15 minutes of fame, and now we're off to a softer, sportier look."

Related: Chrissy Teigen Is a Major Fan of Her Aquazzura Shoes

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In: "For fall, I think velvet, the color crimson (almost a blood red), iridescence, and embroidered embellishments are all looking really fresh," designer and celebrity stylist Neil J. Rodgers told us.

Out: "Heavy soles and crystal embellishment are a bit tired," Rodgers advises.

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In: "This season, look for styles that incorporate soft suede, braids, and rich embroidery that celebrate the '70s and the decade of carefree, classic style embodied by icons like Joni Mitchell and Bo Derek," says Nick Brown, CEO and founder of Soludos.

What shoe style will you try first this season? Let us know in the comments below.

Opening Image: Sandra Semburg

Bobby Schuessler
Market Director

Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent over seven years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retialers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises. He has also worked across a variety of other media brands and fashion retailers like Refinery29, PureWow, Men's Health, and Gilt covering commerce, trend reporting, women's and men's fashion, home, and lifestyle.