For those unfamiliar, Getty Images is a website filled with stock images, editorial photography, and video. Personally, I use it to follow celebrity outfits, street style, and red carpet appearances—to keep tabs on the trends embraced by the fashion crowd. Since I’m on it daily, I recently noticed a shift: the style set has been favoring light-brown pumps over their usual go-to black ones. And fashion icon Gwyneth Paltrow just confirmed the trend by stepping out in a pair.
This week at the Max Mara Resort 2026 show in Italy, Paltrow wore a tan short-sleeve sweater and a matching knit skirt, completing the look with a pair of glossy light-brown patent leather pointed-toe pumps. The ensemble was effortlessly chic, and more importantly, it proved that light-brown shoes can feel just as polished and versatile as black.
Similarly, a few months ago in New York, both Sarah Catherine Hook and Sadie Sink attended the Ralph Lauren F/W 25 fashion show wearing full monochromatic tan looks, each completed with light-brown pumps. Hook wore a sleek, camel-toned blazer dress, while Sink opted for a tailored approach, sporting a pleated maxi skirt, vest, and blazer in a nearly identical shade.
While black pumps remain a wardrobe staple, fashion insiders are embracing light-brown as a versatile alternative. This warm hue feels intentional, fresh, and modern—without sacrificing elegance.
As fashion continues to pivot toward subtler styling cues and tonal sophistication, expect to see even more of this hue on the streets—and runways. With that said, keep scrolling to shop the best light-brown pumps to wear them in summer and beyond.
Shop the Best Light-Brown Pumps
The Hazel is Sam Edelman's best-selling style.
No one will believe you when you tell them these are from Amazon. They look designer.
The elongated toe box and skinny heel make this shoe so sleek.
This kitten heel can take you all around the city.
Style with a black skirt or wide-leg camel trousers.
You can't go wrong with red bottoms.
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32 Affordable Ashley Olsen–Coded Picks That I Have My Eye on for SummerEffortless, luxe, and incredibly chic.
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This Anti-Trend Shoe Is What People With Chic Style Are Wearing With Minidresses This SummerIt's a classic!
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You Don't Have to Fly to the French Riviera to Look Like a Regular at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc—Just Wear ThisSofia Richie Grainge coded.
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Trust a Frequent Flyer—These Cool Sneakers Will Make Drawstring Pants Look First-Class CodedThe ultimate airport outfit.
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Fashion People in Their 30s and 60s Are Deprioritizing White Tees and Wearing This Chic Color Trend InsteadZoë Kravitz and Julianne Moore approve.
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See You in the Fall, Skinny Jeans—This Trend Is So Much Better With Flats for SummerCasual, chic, and comfortable all in one.
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The Expensive-Looking Sandal Color Every Fashion Person Is Wearing With Shorts and Dresses (Hint: It's Not Navy)It's not brown either.
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The Classic Swimwear Trend L.A. Fashion People Are Swapping Their Bandeau Bikinis ForNo fuss.
