We talk about shoes a lot here at WWW. Yes, that perfect pair of shoes is often essential in completing an outfit. We recently showcased the shoes that look the chicest with one of the latest It items. Next up, we thought we'd highlight the footwear silhouettes that could work best for various style aesthetics. To zero in on this, we're sharing how we define our own current aesthetics. After all, learning about different personal styles can sometimes help with your own sartorial exploration.
Keep scrolling to hear more from us, including style testimonies and visual references that showcase our aesthetics further. You'll also see the specific shoe trend we're each gravitating toward, complete with shopping recommendations if one of the silhouettes catches your eye.
The Aesthetic: Classic Yet Forward
The Shoe Trend: Barbie Shoes
"My style tends to be pretty classic with the occasional statement piece mixed in, which is why it should come as no surprise that I'm very into the Barbie-shoe trend of the moment. Whether you're dressed up or in jeans, they're the perfect standout item to make any outfit a little less boring and a lot more flattering." — Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour, senior market editor
The Aesthetic: Menswear Inspired
The Shoe Trend: Loafers
"No matter how many trends and aesthetics I try on for size, I always come back to menswear-inspired silhouettes. I have such a soft spot for classic tailoring, which I like to mix in with one or two more out-there elements to give it a fashion-person spin, whether it be baggy-fit trousers or a blazer with a crop top. As for footwear, loafers complement all of these combinations flawlessly. I'm currently saving up for this dream pair." — Anna LaPlaca, editor
The Aesthetic: Y2K Energy
The Shoe Trend: Playful, Strappy Sandals
"I'm currently all over Y2K, and my aesthetic brings in all of the nostalgia. Two aspects of the early aughts that are having a moment right now are strappy sandals and butterfly motifs. So naturally, these Blumarine sandals are high on my wish list. I am this close to talking myself into pulling the trigger on them. They'll be so good dressed up or down this summer when paired with my favorite low-rise jeans or a good miniskirt." — Sierra Mayhew, associate editor
The Aesthetic: Minimalist (With Standout Elements)
The Shoe Trend: Special Sandals
"I like to play with a range of style aesthetics, but I feel most at home in somewhat minimalist pieces that have standout elements—whether it's a special material, cool shape, or interesting detail. Both of these shoes check that box. The black sporty thong sandals from Mango have big '90s energy. They feel like something The Row would sell. I also recently styled a shoot with these Emme Parsons sandals, and they went with every look. We had to force ourselves not to use them as much as we wanted to so the shoot didn't seem repetitive. The toe-ring detail is pure design genius and feels like a little piece of jewelry." — Kat Collings, editor in chief and creative director
The Aesthetic: Bold and Statement Making
The Shoe Trend: Colorful Wedges
"It's sad to say, but I'm giving neutrals a rest. Bright, bold color is what's intriguing me at the moment, and that obsession has also translated into my footwear. I love how this pair of shoes incorporates my love of saturated color as well as one of my favorite trending silhouettes—wedges." — Indya Brown, market editor
The Aesthetic: Timeless Yet Edgy
The Shoe Trend: Knee-High Boots
"Summing up my style is a difficult task, as it's changing all the time, but I'd say that I love classic, timeless pieces mixed with some sort of edgy touch, like a sporty-sunglasses moment or a big leather jacket. Because of that, I love to pair knee-high boots with more dressed-up or romantic pieces, like a miniskirt or a sundress, to give the look a little bit of a grunge factor. The pair on my wish list? Balenciaga's Cagole boots." — Eliza Huber, editor
The Aesthetic: Classic
The Shoe Trend: Slingbacks
"I lean toward classic styles that exude a fashion-forward touch. That being said, I'm always game to try new trends that I feel comfortable in. Lately, I've been loving the Prada-inspired pointed-toe slingback heels that are having a moment right now. They look chic with miniskirts and jeans alike." — Judith Jones, senior market editor
The Aesthetic: Simple and Fun
The Shoe Trend: Slide Sandals
"My style tends to be pretty simple and casual, but I punch it up with fun shoes and accessories. I love It shoes, but if I'm going to splurge, I need them to be shoes that I can walk in and that I'll actually wear more than a handful of times. I've been thinking about this particular Versace pair a lot lately." — Allyson Payer, senior editor
The Aesthetic: Sporty
The Shoe Trend: Two-Strap Sandals
"In my 28 years, I have never once been described as anything close to athletic, yet I couldn't be more excited about the sporty-footwear trend. I'm especially into sandals with Velcro and buckle straps that are reminiscent of all the shoes I wore on the playground as a kid. I'm not sure how much longer I can hold off from buying this rubber pair." — Michaela Bushkin, senior editor, branded content
The Aesthetic: Casual
The Shoe Trend: Retro-Inspired Sneakers
"My day-to-day style is pretty casual. I like easy pieces that are still chic and elevated but aren't fussy. As a result, I continue to gravitate toward cool retro-inspired sneakers. For the most part, I pick up my sneakers from Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Italist. I also just discovered this sneaker subscription service, Kyx World, where you can have the ability to rent or swap coveted styles. Um, yes." — Bobby Schuessler, market director
"For reference, this is the pair I'm eyeing from Kyx World."
The Aesthetic: Modern and Classic
The Shoe Trend: Pointed Knee-High Boots
"I tend to wear a mix of classic and modern pieces, and I always have my eye out for timeless buys that I can wear year after year. Though this may sound a bit off for the season ahead, I can't stop thinking about pointed knee-high boots, which are suddenly everywhere and set to be big for summer. It's a trend we can directly thank Balenciaga for since the brand's Cagole boots (featured above) are one of the most in-demand pieces of the moment. To make the shoes feel right for the current season, I would style them with micro hemlines and bare legs." — Kristen Nichols, senior editor
Next, check out another key shoe trend.
-
4 Anti-Trend Outfits I Spot Every Time I'm in EuropeClassic looks that are always in style.
-
3 Non-Holiday Ways to Wear Velvet This WinterYou're welcome.
-
Hailey Bieber Just Used the TikTok Styling Hack That Will Actually Go the DistanceI'm going to use it this weekend.
-
After 15 Years as a Fashion Writer, I Know These Free Style Tweaks Will Make a Big ImpactHow to give your wardrobe a new lease on life.
-
4 Dated Sweater Trends I'm Purging From My Small NYC Closet by the Year's EndAnd the chic knitwear I'm making room for.
-
Law Roach's World: His New Book, Bag of Choice, and What He Grabs on a Target Run"[Styling] has made my world so much bigger."
-
I'm in My 20s—Here Are 6 Style Lessons I Learned to Look More Polished and Grown-UpSophisticated styling 101.
-
8 Copenhagen Street Style Trends I Plan to Replicate in New YorkPared back yet never boring.
