Not so long ago, spotting a flat shoe on the runway felt like a novelty. You may have caught a glimpse of the occasional ballet flat or gladiator sandal in a spring/summer or Cruise collection, but they were usually the exception, not the rule. For decades, heels were upheld as the epitome of femininity, while flats were viewed through a purely practical lens.
Fast forward to 2026 and a noticeable shift is underway. Across the spring/summer 2026 runways, flat shoes are no longer cameo appearances but integral players in the styling and overall direction of many collections. At Louis Vuitton, every look was grounded in slipper-style flats. Meanwhile, at Dries Van Noten, streamlined trainers accounted for the vast majority of footwear, while Jil Sander leaned into androgyny with loafers and polished derbies anchoring nearly every look.
Our obsession with flats may have begun with the addition of a clean white trainer to tailoring or a simple ballet flat to offset partywear, but as the runways prove, it has evolved far beyond that. Styling with flats now feels more elevated than ever before, and opens up new proportions and sharper contrasts, allowing us to play with silhouette in a way that feels deliberate rather than practical.
As a fashion editor who has always preferred a flat to a heel, I have scoured this season's runways to find out which flats were trending, so you don't have to. Read on for the results.
5 Flat Shoe Trends to Take Note of for Spring 2026:
1. BACK TO SCHOOL FLATS
Style Notes: From croc-textured derbies at Chanel and Dior to lace-ups at Victoria Beckham and Jil Sander, a theme of preppy androgyny ran through multiple collections. Chunky, masculine-leaning footwear was styled deliberately against contrasting pieces such as form-fitting dresses, fluid skirts and even sharp mini hemlines. Opt for clean, pared-back styles with minimal detailing and play around with the softer silhouettes and textures in your wardrobe.
Shop Back to School Flats:
A heritage brand.
A classic with a textural twist.
Elevate with an on-point sock pairing.
Just add a tailored column skirt.
A softer silhouette.
2. CHUNKY FLIP-FLOPS
Style Notes: The barely-there thong sandals, or elevated flip-flops as they are also known, dominated last spring/summer. This season, the runways embraced a bolder iteration. The chunky flip-flop is the ugly sister to the barely-there original, with a subtle flatform sole and squishy straps that make more of a statement than its predecessor. It's cooler and edgier, yet incredibly versatile, pairing with everything from wide-leg jeans to slip dresses.
Shop Chunky Flip-Flops:
Available in five colourways.
For a Y2K vibe.
Available in 6 colours.
Love the contrasting textures!
Made from sustainable materials.
3. BACKLESS LOAFERS
Style Notes: The loafer trend was bound to take on a new form sooner or later, and this one is spring certified. We all remember the first time these backless loafers emerged, and our obsession with Gucci's fur-lined Princetowns. This time around, there's more variety on offer, from chunky suede round-toed styles to structured collapsibles. You can style as you would a regular loafer, but there's also an opportunity to experiment with sock pairings and hem length for a statement look.
Shop Backless Loafers:
The perfect workwear pair.
A chunkier, rounded toe works well with casual day-to-day looks.
A fashion editor favourite.
These will look great with cropped jeans.
Butter yellow is here to stay.
4. MAXIMALIST BALLET FLATS
Style notes: Spring/summer dressing allows us to prioritise fun over practicality, which is why our outfits tend to take on more of our personality the moment the sun graces us with her presence. On the runway, the ballet flat was used to inject interest and playfulness into otherwise pared-back looks. At Erdem they were adorned with oversized velvet bows, while Balenciaga embellished them with dome-like studs. At Givenchy, they were colourblocked and patent, and Giambattista Valli brought them centre stage with delicate embroidery and beadwork. If you're a minimal dresser, a statement pair with jeans will always a win. If you're a maximalist, play around with colour and texture.
Shop Maximalist Ballet Flats:
Can't wait to wear this with barrel leg jeans.
Floral appliqué is huge this season.
Occasionwear dressing for the year sorted.
The perfect wedding guest pair.
Embellished footwear was all over the SS26 runways.
5. STREAMLINED TRAINERS
Style Notes: The trainer landscape has never been so intricate. What was once a choice between a clean white trainer, a colourful pair of Adidas Sambas or a chunky dad trainer has evolved into a complex web of choices spanning silhouettes, colourways, materials, and brand allegiances. And yet, for Spring/Summer 2026, a style has emerged that disrupts it all: the streamlined trainer. An extension of the ballet trainer trend, this style offers the comfort and athleisure appearance of a trainer but with a more refined profile, delivering the same styling versatility as a ballet pump. At Dries Van Noten, they were paired seamlessly with tailoring, while at Miu Miu they complemented ditsy floral mini dresses.
Shop Streamlined Trainers:
It's all about the sleek black trainer this season.
Pair with white jeans for a tonal look.
For the ultimate sleek look, choose satin.
For neutral lovers.
The new clean white trainer.