It's about that time of year when we start thinking about what we will replace our flip-flops and strappy sandals with. Will it be satin mules and peep-toe pumps, like in fall 2025, or will there be new styles? To give you the best answer, we looked at the biggest shoe trends that emerged on the runways during designers' fall/winter 2026 collections.
In case you need a refresher, some of the larger themes for fall and winter 2026 centered on modern heirlooms, wild embellishments, and shifting proportions, which have been driving fashion. Unsurprisingly, these ideas also trickled down to what we saw south of the ankle with footwear.
An array of heels walked the runways, including everything from heavily ornamented styles to two-tone versions. Sex appeal made a big comeback, and sleek, sharply-pointed leather boots made a resurgence. Colors ranging from jewel tones like royal purple to shades of blue injected some fresh color on the runways. That isn't all, however, and we have some predictions about the major footwear trends that will be big in the coming months. Ahead, get a closer look at the biggest shoe trends from the fall/winter 2026 runways.
The Shoe Trends for Fall/Winter 2026
Heavy Embellishments
Beaded and embellished shoes were all over the runways. Now that they're starting to trickle into new arrivals sections, fashion insiders have their wallets ready. Ahead, explore everything from Prada's kitten heel pumps to Miu Miu's sneaker versions.
Shop the trend:
High Vamps
One silhouette we saw again and again on the runways? High vamp designs. At Toteme, we saw sleek white styles, while at Khaite and Calvin Klein, they were executed in glossy black.
Shop the trend:
Two-Tone
In 2026, we've already seen two-tone shoes on the rise, thanks in large part to Matthieu Blazy at Chanel. While this has been a longtime signature of Chanel, we're now seeing other brands, including McQueen and Ferragamo, showcase their take on the dual-colored shoes.
Shop the trend:
Royal Purple
The royal purple shade swept the runways and emerged as the #1 color of the season. It's no surprise, then, that the shade is also huge in footwear.
Shop the trend:
Sexy Boots
It wouldn't be fall without a great boot to know. For the season ahead, we expect sexy leather boots to be the biggest trend in the category. Styles from Tom Ford, Gucci, and Celine are finished in black leather, pointed toes, and high heels.
Shop the trend:
Shades of Blue
Yet another color trend to know? Shades of blue. The tones range from light powdery blue to robin egg blue.
Shop the trend:
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear, fashion is our speciality. 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 best-selling 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.
This article was previously published and has since been updated.