It's Cinderella-Shoe Summer: Glass-Inspired Heels, Crystal Flats, and Jelly Styles Are Everywhere
Rachel Hochhauser, the New York Times best-selling author of Lady Tremaine, has spent years exploring the cultural power of Cinderella's story, and she has a few thoughts on why the iconic shoes still captivate us.
Cinderella shoes have always been fashion's ultimate fantasy footwear: part fairytale, part transformation symbol, and now, a major trend. Cinderella shoes are part of the dream most fashion people had at a young age. Fairytales and Disney movies shaped many "dream closet" purchases, and now, they're influencing one of fashion's biggest footwear trends. Across the spring/summer 2026 runways and on the stylish women who live at the top of my Instagram feed, I'm seeing transparent heels, crystal embellishments, iridescent finishes, and barely-there silhouettes finally replacing chunkier sandals as the season's most enchanting shoe choice. The trend taps into fashion's growing appetite for whimsy and romance while simultaneously embracing a modern kind of glamour that's incredibly wearable.
Few people have thought more deeply about the never-ending appeal of Cinderella shoes than Rachel Hochhauser, the New York Times best-selling author of Lady Tremaine. After spending years immersed in the fairytale and exploring its cultural power while retelling the iconic story from the "evil" stepmother's perspective, she's noticed the same magical footwear appearing everywhere, from social media feeds to designer collections, and has a few thoughts on why the iconic shoes still captivate us.
"An unexpected side effect of publishing my debut novel—Lady Tremaine, a retelling of Cinderella from the so-called 'evil' stepmother's perspective—is that not a week goes by without someone sending me a version of the Cinderella shoe," Hochhauser says. "Glass heels, crystal mules, iridescent strappy sandals… My DMs have become a clearinghouse for the most enchanting footwear on the internet. After months of joyful perusal, I've made an executive decision: This is Cinderella toe summer, by which I mean it's time to embrace shoes that put your pedicure on full display. Making you feel like a princess is a nice side effect."
Her observation isn't just a clever name for the trend; it's a reflection of how designers have somehow reimagined the iconic glass slippers for 2026. Rather than literal costume-like heels, today's Cinderella shoes come in the form of barely-there PVC pumps, jelly heels, crystal mesh flats, and shimmering satin sandals with romantic details that feel like a fantasy.
"The glass slipper is fashion's original It shoe, an artifact from a fairytale that exists across cultures and centuries built entirely around the idea of transformation," Hochhauser says. "I didn't put the iconic crystal heels in my novel (the whole point of the book is that our fairytales are overdue for an update), but I'm not above the myth of a shoe that changes your life. Just ask me about my yearslong search for the holy-grail perfect boot—a conversation for another day. Glass slippers, though? We have options. I have only one amendment to the Cinderella-shoe canon: We should get to keep both shoes and buy them for ourselves."
It Girls Wearing the Cinderella-Shoe Trend
Straight off the Chloé runway, this shoe trend was initially spotted during its fashion week debut and the following season on attendees.
The style quickly gained popularity, with Chloé's take propelling the trend into the spotlight. Since then, it has become a fan favorite, celebrated in a wide range of colors.
Here, Iris Law styles them for a vacation in Italy. A full head-to-toe Chloé look is perfected when the finishing touch is this dazzling shoe trend.
Here's your reminder that they're not just for vacation. Tessa Thompson wore them for a walk in New York City. Steal her look by styling the trend with a slip skirt and fun tank top.
If you haven't seen enough of Chloé's Knotted Jelly Mules, here's one last look at them. They're the perfect finishing touch to any look.
The brand also showcased shoes on the runway that nail the trend, and we predict they will win over the hearts of fashion lovers next.
This trend doesn't stop with Chloé. We've seen jelly styles, glass-inspired heels, embellished flats, and more adding a princess-approved detail to the shoe world.
Shop Our Favorite Styles
Get your hands on the cult Chloé style.
The transparent detail on these shoes is very Cinderella.
There's something about mesh flats that feels princess-like.
The jelly sandals of last year are still making their rounds.
Heavenly makes Cinderella shoes that made me do a double take.
Every detail on this pretty pair of shoes is perfection.
Tory Burch takes the fashion crowd behind the scenes with these shoes that bare all the details.
Fancy footwork.
These are bound to sell out quickly since it's midsummer.
A pair of shoes that will get them talking.
A work of art.
This is an easy pair to have on hand for busy summer days.
It's the jelly detail on the straps for us.
Alaïa always does it best.
This take is worth taking an up-close look at.
