It’s Confirmed: These 6 Heel Color Trends Will Define 2026

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heel color trends for 2026 are shown in a collage of runway images, showing the heel color trends red, gray, two-toned, yellow, chocolate brown and cloud dancer
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)
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We may be in the throes of wintertime, but that harsh reality will in no way fetter self-professed shoe freaks from fantasizing about every trend they'll be wearing come spring (our editors included). Nothing can beat the almost sacrilegious experience of stepping outside on the first proper day of spring in a pair of pumps. Forget feeling the sun on our skin! Finally, being able to swap out your winter boots for sandals, sneakers, or stylish heels? That's really the stuff of our dreams. Of course, every footwear-related fantasy is eventually tempered by reality, if not by current weather, then by our current bank accounts. Unfortunately, we can’t justify spending a fortune every season on the more "impractical" options—ahem, heels. Don't hate the messenger, but we've all had lapses of judgment that lead us to buy pairs we know are too uncomfortable, go over budget for a buzzy designer pair, or adopt a fleeting trend. No judgment here, friends!

Despite these common pitfalls, that doesn’t mean you have to give up on shopping for heels altogether. There's a simple way to still dip your toe in new heel trends without stepping out of bounds: embrace color. By shifting your focus away from investing in specific trending silhouettes to the season's biggest color trends, you'll be able to toe the line between investing in a pair that is both functional and fashionable. If that's not enough to convince you, simply think of how a pair of heels in a colorful shade can break up the monotony of your boring basics. Simply put, bright pumps give a whole new meaning to the phrase of putting a "peep in one's step," making them one of the best ways to indulge your fantasies this spring. But if you struggle with impulse control, you'll want to keep scrolling as we've curated the 6 best heel color trends to buy in 2026. These heel colors are bound to reach new heights.

1. Cloud Dancer

Heel color trends for 2026 are shown in a collage of runway images, showing the color cloud dancer. On the top left, a close photo of a model's foot shows white pointed kitten heels on Sportmax's spring runway. On the top right, a cropped photo shows a model walking in Saint Laurent's spring runway show, wearing a leather jacket, a white button-down, a black leather pencil skirt, black sheer tights, and white pointed pumps. In the bottom left, a close-up photo shows a model's foot in a high-vamp pointed white pump at Stella McCartney's spring show. On the bottom left, a close photo shows a model wearing a navy leather fringe skirt with white kitten heels in Bottega Veneta's spring show

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; Pictured: Sportmax S/S 26; Saint Laurent S/S 26; Stella McCartney S/S 26; Bottega Veneta S/S 26)

Frankly, there's no better way to step into the new season than by incorporating one of the most talked-about color trends: cloud dancer. Dubbed by the color of the year by Pantone, this shade stands out from the typical stark white we see in design spaces because it draws inspiration from the clouds to create a soft, airy hue meant to evoke the emotion of a fresh start. Although one could argue that white isn't a "new" color trend, designers have made it feel fresh in their spring collections by focusing on footwear. From Stella McCartney to Saint Laurent, we've seen classic silhouettes ranging from high-vamp pumps to pointed slingback heels made shaper simply through incorporating this color trend. The result is a series of cloud-inspired white heels that anyone would dream about getting their hands on this season.

2. Slate Gray

Heel color trends for 2026 are shown in a collage of runway images featuring the color slate gray. On the top left, a close-up photo shows a model walking down the runway in Stella McCartney's spring show, wearing a long cream trench coat, black leather shorts, and gray high-vamp round-toe pumps. On the top right, a close-up photo shows a model's foot wearing gray pointed pumps walking in Saint Laurent's spring show. On the bottom right, a model walks in Bottega Veneta's spring show wearing rimless sunglasses, a gray crocodile trench coat over a tan leather shirt, a yellow slip skirt, a tan clutch bag, and gray shearling heels. On the bottom left, a close-up photo shows a model in Calvin Klein's spring show walking down the runway wearing gray pinstripe trousers, a red crocodile crossbody bag, and gray mules

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; Stella McCartney S/S 26; Saint Laurent S/S 26; Bottega Veneta S/S 26; Calvin Klein S/S 26)

Almost in direct opposition to the more lively shades spotted in shows, we saw designers turn to a moodier alternative: slate gray. If cloud-dancer is about embracing a more sanguine disposition, then slate gray is about acquiescing to the gloom—at least when it comes to your closet. The color itself has been around for a couple of seasons now, but a confluence of recent current events and cultural aesthetics has made slate gray one of the most compelling heel color trends of the moment. While so much of the allure of slate gray can be attributed to the rise of quiet luxury or even the recession, in truth, what's kept it relevant is the shades' ability to adapt to different sartorial lenses. Like shifting winds in a storm, slate gray can oscillate between stark minimalism and brutal maximalism, as shown in a sleek mule loafer at Calvin Klein's spring show or a shearling pump at Bottega Veneta. It can effortlessly represent the full spectrum of feelings, or rather personal styles, cementing it as a must-shop color this year.

3. Espresso Martini

Heel color trends for 2026 are shown in a collage of runway and street-style images, featuring the dark chocolate heel color. On the top left, a close-up photo shows a model's foot walking down the runway at Dior's spring-summer 2026 show, wearing a chocolate-brown pointed pump adorned with gold hardware in the shape of a "C". On the top right, a cropped close-up photo shows a model walking down Versace's runway wearing a black leather eel-skin pencil skirt styled with a matching jacket, a brown structured handbag, white short socks, and dark brown pointed slingback heels. On the bottom right, a close detail photo from Tory Burch's spring show depicts a model wearing a navy blue pleated skirt with high-vamp pointed pumps in a dark brown shade adorned with chain hardware. On the bottom left, a photo from Chanel's spring runway show depicts a model walking away from the camera wearing a light tan fringe trench coat with an oversized tan suede bowler bag and chocolate brown pumps

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; PICTURED: Dior S/S 26; Versace S/S 26; Tory Burch S/S 26; Chanel S/S 26)

If there's one thing that's clear from spring collections, it's that creative directors weren't afraid to serve up a new spin on some of the more classic neutral colors. Case in point: espresso martini. Although one might argue that designers including this shade could be them trying to “reheat nachos”, or rather, recreate the commercial success chocolate brown has had over the last few seasons, footwear on the runway tells a different story. From Chanel to Dior to Versace, we saw shades of dark brown surface in the form of square-toe heels, lady-like slingbacks, and hardware-adorned pointed pumps in a way that was indicative of a desire not to conform to what's trending but to make traditional heel silhouettes a bit tastier. Moreover, by incorporating variations of espresso martini, each newly appointed creative director—Matthieu Blazy, Jonathan Anderson, and Dario Vitale—managed to nod to the rich history of each prospective luxury house while putting their best foot forward. We’ll toast to that.

4. Chili Pepper

Heel color trends for 2026 are shown in a collage of runway and street-style images, featuring the chili pepper red heel color. On the top right, a close photo depicts a model walking down the Tory Burch runway wearing a low-slung white pencil skirt with a two-tone belt, gold chain bracelet, and red pointed pumps adorned with a gold chain. On the top left, a photo shows a model from Ferragamo's spring runway show walking away from the camera wearing a white striped dress with wood bangles, a black clutch bag, and red pointed ankle strap pumps. On the bottom right, a photo depicts a model walking down Attico's runway show wearing a white asymmetrical dress, a zebra handbag, and red peep-toe platform pumps. On the bottom left, a close photo shows a model at Prada's spring show wearing bright red pointed kitten heels adorned with bows.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; PICTURED: Tory Burch S/S 26; Ferragamo S/S 26; The Attico S/S 26; Prada S/S 26)

For those who are tired of the same "old" shoe color trends, designers have also cooked up spicier alternative this season that we're dubbing “chili pepper.” Not to be confused with the darker merlot hues that have dominated runways recently, the defining difference of this warmer color is that it’s so bright in comparison to its predecessors that it should come with a warning label (yes, it's really that hot). The shade itself isn't the only reason footwear feels more zesty this season, as designers paired the color trend with sultrier details, in a way that can only really be described as, well, spicy. For example, Prada transformed a pair of pointed kitten heels from prim to risqué by incorporating slinky straps across the top that tied into a pristine bow, thereby creating a form of toe cleavage. Similarly, at Tory Burch, Ferragamo, and The Attico’s shows, pumps got even saucier with details such as ankle straps, curved heels, high-vamps, platforms, and even peep-toes. It seemed that designers wanted to make it clear that if you’re going to wear chili pepper red, you might as well commit to taking a couple of risks while you're at it.

5. Banana Peel

Heel color trends for 2026 are shown in a collage of runway and street-style images, featuring bright-yellow heels. On the top right, a photo depicts a model standing backstage at Loewe's spring show wearing a green mini dress, a black clutch bag, and yellow pointed kitten heels. On the right, a close photo from Ferragamo's spring show depicts a model's foot walking down the runway wearing banana-yellow pointed heeled mules. On the bottom right, a cropped photo shows a model walking in Bottega Veneta's show wearing a blue striped button-down shirt with a navy blue woven leather skirt styled with bright butter yellow pointed kitten heels. On the bottom left, a close-up photo from Victoria Beckham's spring runway show depicts a model's foot wearing mustard yellow ankle-strap sandals.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; PICTURED: Loewe S/S 26; Ferragamo S/S 26; Bottega Veneta S/S 26; Victoria Beckham S/S 26)

Do you know the old adage, “If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen”? Well, designers didn’t take those words to heart, as the consistent through-line in spring collections was them turning to other food-adjacent colors when chili pepper didn’t suit their taste buds. One shade that was seemingly in everyone’s pantry? Banana peel. No, you didn’t slip up reading that sentence. Yes, banana-hued heels are becoming a thing. The inevitable takeover of bright yellow began a few seasons back when everyone had a hearty appetite for all things butter yellow: purses, pumps, the works. Although butter yellow might be making its way to the back burner, banana has stepped up to the plate this season. From Loewe to Ferragamo to Bottega Veneta to Victoria Beckham, we’ve seen banana yellow heels ranging from a sort of unripe shade that's brighter than butter to an almost hybrid between mustard and banana—we know it sounds unappetizing, but trust that it looks appealing. It’s proof that if you spend enough time scouring the collections, you’re sure to find a shoe color trend that satisfies you.

6. Not One, But Two

Heel color trends for 2026 are shown in a collage of runway and street style images, showing the two-tone shoe trend. On the top right, a close-up photo from Fendi's spring show depicts a model carrying a knitted baguette styled with two-tone peep-toe pink and brown sandals. On the top right, a cropped photo shows a model walking in Ferragamo's spring runway show wearing an oversized cream cashmere layered over a gold fringe dress styled with a black fringe scarf, an orange clutch bag, and two-tone t-strap pointed heels. On the bottom right, a close-up photo from Tibi's spring show depicts a model's foot wearing black mules with a contrasting white ankle strap. On the bottom left, a cropped photo from Chanel's spring runway shows a model wearing a gold fringe top and matching skirt styled with white and black high vamp pumps.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; PICTURED: Fendi S/S 26; Ferragamo S/S 26; Tibi S/S 26; Chanel S/S 26)

Of course, there are those of us who struggle to pick a single shade to shop for the season, as much, if not more, as we do to try limiting ourselves to buying one pair of trend-forward heels. Thankfully, the shoe gods have heard our prayers this season. Across spring collections, we saw creative directors embrace not one, but two colors, in the form of two-tone slingbacks, pumps, mules, and so much more. At Chanel, high vamp pumps in white, nude, and black were adorned with contrasting piping and dipped toes. While at Ferragamo, patent black leather pointed-toe pumps felt even sharper with a contrasting t-strap detail. Similarly, we saw a “minimalist” take on the two-tone shoe trend at Tibi with a pair of black mules with contrasting straps. But possibly the best example of designers embracing the “more is more” ethos this season could be found in Silvia Venturini’s final collection for Fendi—playful peep-toe sandals embraced maximalist aesthetics through jubilant color pairings (think: bubblegum pink and chocolate brown). Whoever said that you had to choose one heel trend, or color for that matter, never saw spring collections coming. Consider this your permission slip to embrace color this season.

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Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
Freelance Fashion Editor

Jasmine Fox-Suliaman is a freelance writer and editor living in New York City. What began as a pastime (blogging on Tumblr) transformed into a lifelong passion for unveiling the connection between fashion and culture on the internet and in real life. Over the last decade, she's melded her extensive edit and social background to various on-staff positions at Who What Wear, MyDomaine, and Byrdie. More recently, she’s become a freelance contributor to other publications including Vogue, Editorialist, and The Cut. Off the clock, you can find her clutching her cell phone as she's constantly scrolling through TikTok and The RealReal, in search of the next cool thing.