Last fall, I asked a colleague where their coat was from, and to my surprise, I was met with the age-old response: "It's from Zara." It was a simple yet chic black high-neck wool coat. Another category I remember this happening with over the years is the brand's shoes. Since our editors and readers are longtime Zara fans, I went through hundreds of the retailer's product pages to curate an edit of the best outerwear and shoes right now.

For fall 2026 coats and jackets, my mind first went to classic wool coats, and while scrolling, I found many different silhouettes depending on your preference: high-neck, oversize, double-breasted, single-breasted, and belted. Another staple of the season is trench coats, with a variety of timeless options available for $119.

In the shoe department, knee-high boots, ballet flats, sporty Mary Janes, and pointed-toe kitten heels are the standouts, starting under $60. Shop these and more ahead.

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If you're ever in need of fresh ways to style ballet flats, Alexa Chung should be one of the first people you look to for inspiration. She's been wearing them for the entirety of her life in the public eye, and she's never without fresh, inspired styling ideas that include them. Her latest ballet-flats outfits came during a recent trip to Paris, during which she was spotted wearing them on two occasions. She paired them with the coolest pant trend to wear with ballet flats right now: camouflage pants.

Camo pants are undoubtedly cool again, and wearing them with something so classic and delicate, such as ballet flats (or ballet pumps), makes them look surprisingly elegant. On one occasion, Chung completed the outfit with a blue button-down layered over a white T-shirt, and on the other, she paired the combination with a navy sweater layered over a pleated camisole. Both are excellent head-to-toe outfit ideas, but the takeaway here is the combination of camo pants and ballet flats.

Scroll on to see Chung's looks and shop cool camo pants and pretty ballet flats.

Camo Pants + Ballet Flats on Alexa Chung

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Parisians are defining my fall wardrobe one category at a time. First, it was color trends, with royal purple and burgundy leading the charge, and now it's flat shoe trends. I always pay close attention to the shoe choices chic French women make. What type of heel height they pair with trousers or, say, a pair of shorts. I've noticed, more often than not, they choose a flat sole: a ballet flat, loafer, thing-soled boot, you name it.

With that in mind, I wrote down the three flat-shoe trends French women are wearing this fall. Scroll on to see which ones made the list and how to style them.

3 French Woman-Approved Shoe Trends for Fall 2026

High-Vamp Flats

Also called a glove flat, this modern take on a ballet flat features a high vamp silhouette and sleek profile. French women keep it within arm's reach every fall for its versatility and wearability. It looks great with jeans and trousers.

Riding Boots

Designed to mimic the look of traditional riding boots, these tall, knee-high boots offer a clean look with pencil skirts and shorts in the fall.

Ruched Loafers

No fall shoe rack is complete without a loafer, and in a French woman's shoe closet you'll note a specific style: the ruched loafer. It features a gathered toe box with soft pleats around the curve of the shoe. It's a refined style people love, with the casual elegance of a Parisian fashionista.

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If you're looking for fresh jeans-and-shoe styling inspiration, you've landed in the right place. A Parisian pairing is suddenly making its way out of France, with some of the chicest women in London and New York putting their own spin on the timeless two-piece.

Whilst bootcut jeans and ballet flats has long been a fixture in the wardrobes of France's best-dressed women, this week I spotted Dakota Johnson stepping out in New York, giving the look a NYC spin. Wearing it with Valentino's Wool Crepe Jacket (£4300), Dakota tapped into the fur-trimmed jacket trend that's gathering pace in the city. Her ever-so-slightly cropped bootcut jeans brought a relaxed edge to the polished jacket, while a pair of black ballet flats kept the look sleek and grounded.

Then, across the pond, I spotted Lila Moss roaming around London in almost exactly the same combination. Whilst Dakota's jeans finished at the ankle, Lila's fell slightly longer, but both shared the same gently flared silhouette that feels effortlessly French and just a little retro.

With sightings now spanning Paris, New York and London, this specific jeans-and-shoe pairing is looking increasingly like a contender to knock straight-leg jeans from their long-held top spot. If you're feeling inspired by the stylish crowd, read on to shop the bootcut jeans and ballet flats I'd recommend adding to your autumn rotation.

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Every fall, I tell myself this is the season I'll finally commit to wearing heels casually, and every fall, I'm back in flats by the second week of October. As a "10k+ steps a day" girl, I find it hard to pull that off in high heels. This year, I'm not even pretending. Plus, after a month of scrolling through fashion week street style, the flats were so good that I barely noticed stilettos.

To be clear, I'm not tossing my high heels. They're still a staple, and they'll be ready for the next wedding, gala, or night out. I'm just pausing on buying new pairs so I can put my shoe budget toward the flats below. Keep scrolling for the seven styles I'm betting on this fall.

Jazz Shoes

If ballet flats have started to feel a little too sweet, meet their cooler cousin. Jazz shoes have the same low profile but with a lace-up front and a slightly sturdier sole. They're also one of the rare trends you can comfortably walk in all day.

Classic Ballet Flats

Did we really think ballet flats were going anywhere? We've seen them in every color and with every embellishment imaginable, and now, fashion people are going back to the simple version. A black or nude pair with a rounded toe goes with trousers, denim, and dresses, which is exactly why I keep reaching for mine.

Mesh Flats

Mesh flats were supposed to be a summer thing, but they're sticking around this year. People are wearing them with socks or picking darker shades like black and chocolate brown, so they make sense in cooler weather. It's an easy way to keep a summer favorite in rotation for a few more months.

Pony-Hair Flats

A little texture makes even a simple outfit look more polished, and pony hair is the texture of the season. Look for leopard print, rich brown, or classic black, and wear them anywhere you'd normally wear plain leather flats.

Cool-Girl Sneakers

Chunky sneakers had their moment. The pairs fashion people are wearing now are slim, low-profile, and a little retro. Think suede, a thin sole, and a colorway you won't see on everyone else. They're absolutely cool girl coded.

Soft Loafers

Loafers show up every fall, but this year's version is softer. Instead of a chunky lug sole, fashion people are going for slim loafers with a thin sole or a lower vamp. You still get the polish of classic loafers in lighter shoes.

Almond-Toe Flats

Why choose between a round toe and a pointed toe when almond-toe flats land right in between? The shape lengthens the look of your foot without the sharp edge of pointy flats. Wear them with ankle-length trousers, and they look just as sleek as heels.

Fashion moms are our biggest style inspirations here at Who What Wear. Since they're always on the go, balancing school drop-off with meetings and after-work dinner plans, they know how to dress in a way that's comfortable, practical, and endlessly stylish. One person we look to the most is Hailey Bieber because she always makes it look easy. Her recent outfit is a perfect example of effortless cool and sophistication without relying on high heels, trousers, or a dress.

While out for dinner in L.A. this past week, Bieber was photographed wearing a polished denim ensemble. She styled a fitted tweed jacket as a top; paired it with low-slung, relaxed jeans; and grounded the outfit with black ballet mules. True to her signature off-duty style, she accessorized with retro sunglasses and a tote bag from The Row.

If you follow Bieber's off-duty style, you know she loves ballet flats, especially paired with jeans. While she's typically seen in classic flats or those with a block heel, she's now making the case for heeled mules, and we're here for it. The easy slip-on silhouette suits a busy, on-the-go routine, and the streamlined shape creates a balanced contrast against baggy jeans. Plus, the slight heel adds just enough lift for a touch of sophistication.

Even if you aren't a mom, taking a page from Bieber's style playbook by pairing heeled ballet mules with jeans is the ideal solution for days when uncomfortable heels are out of the question. To re-create the look, scroll down to discover the chicest heeled ballet mules and jeans.

On Hailey Bieber: Chanel jacket; Repetto Camille Mules ($440); The Row Margaux Bag ($4900)

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Soon the leaves will fall, and NYC sidewalks will be covered in snow, but until then I'll be wearing my ballet flats. If you saw my shoe rack, you'd think I hate heels. On the contrary, I love a casual pump. But my feet don't. I've always struggled to accept that beauty is pain. Sometimes, beauty is comfort. Especially when you're a commuter. With summer sandals demoted, three spots have opened up on my shoe rack, and I'm looking for new ballet flats to fill them.

With a strict budget, I set out to find the best ballet flats under $200. I'm turning to my favorite budget-friendly retailers: J.Crew, COS, and Dolce Vita. After hours spent, I found three contenders. The first is a modern take on a classic; the second is ready for the barre; and the third is a true, timeless ballet flat. Each met my standards for comfort, wearability, and chicness. Scroll on to see which ones I've added to my shoe rack, and shop more editor-approved under-$200 ballet flats.

The Best Ballet Flats Under $200

The J.Crew Verona Ballet Flats

My review: From morning meetings to happy hour, the J.Crew Verona Ballet Flats ($148) were a comfortable companion. I logged around three miles walking the streets of NYC; through potholes and puddles, the high-vamp silhouette and elastic trim kept me snug. The center-seam detail was a pleasant surprise when I looked down at the round-toe flats. With any new shoe, I expect a "break-in" period, eased with Band-Aids, but with the J.Crew Verona Ballet Flats, I didn't need a single one. That alone earned them a spot in my shoe rotation. Simply, slip on and go.

Colorways: To fill the ivory gap on my shoe rack, I chose Rosey Vellum in Italian leather. They also come in rich burgundy, Eggplant Athene, and the classic Black.

Sizing tip: True to size—Available in half sizes from 5 to 12; I'm an 8.5.

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The COS Satin Ballet Flats

My Review: Clearly, I'm picky about flats. From the fit to the look, I make no excuses. The COS Satin Ballet Flats ($149) meet all my standards. True to the flats' ballet origins, this square-toe shoe features a satin construction, dainty bow, and soft frame. The ruched effect on the sides creates a beautiful visual detail unique to them. These satin flats appear in the "In Our Closets" section of the fall 2026 edition of the Who What Wear 100 list—worth a read if you like to be in the know.

Colorways: In addition to the chocolate, you can find them in an olive Khaki shade as well.

Sizing tip: Available in sizes 6 to 12, with no half sizes—I recommend sizing up.

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The Dolce Vita Ritla Ballet Flats

My Review: A friend recently asked me for my go-to classic all-black ballet flat. I told her the Dolce Vita Ritla Ballet Flats ($135); they're another top choice that requires no "break-in" period. The cushioned sole provides comfort. The slim, short-toebox look will remain timeless for years to come. And the ease of styling makes these true everyday ballet flats.

Colorways: Four colorways in total—the Black Leather, Dark Brown Suede, Light Pink Crinkle Patent, and Silver Crinkle Patent.

Sizing tip: True to size, with sizes available from 5 to 13 and limited half-sizing.

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Shop More Editor-Approved Under $200 Ballet Flats

Keep scrolling to shop more under-$200 ballet flats from editor-loved brands like Madewell, Tony Bianco, Massimo Dutti, and more.

Fall has officially arrived at Nordstrom. If you've been looking to give your wardrobe a little facelift for the new season, you've landed in the perfect place. As a shopping editor, I spend hours browsing top retail sites like Nordstrom. Lately, I've seen an abundance of on-trend footwear styles. Right now at Nordstrom, you can shop a wide variety of flats, boots, and sneakers that will earn you endless compliments this fall and beyond.

I've dug through the latest shoe arrivals, and I've seen so many gorgeous styles, including pretty ballet flats, tall boots, and chic Adidas sneakers, to name a few. In the mix, you can expect a variety of stunning footwear options that'll go with so many of your favorite fall outfits. Keep scrolling to dig through these picks today.

Best Nordstrom Flats for Fall

Classic flats will always be a great addition to your fall wardrobe. On top of that, you can expect Mary Janes and loafers too. Not to mention the wide variety of leathers, fun colorways, and interesting details that can be found among my top picks.

Best Nordstrom Boots for Fall

Fall and winter are boot season. Whether you're into tall styles or you're more of an ankle-boot person, there's a variety of brown and black leather options, including beautiful suede styles.

Best Nordstrom Sneakers for Fall

Low-profile sneaker silhouettes still reign supreme among the fashion set. However, cool, athletic-inspired styles prove that chunky sneakers can be cute, especially for a workout.

Everyone in fashion has their thing, whether it's a fixation on vintage denim or an extensive jewelry collection. For me, one of those items is shoes.

Going into this next season, Nordstrom is having its Savings Event right now, with up to 25% off fall fashion, so I went through to find the best on-sale shoe trends.

For ballet flats, Mango has an under-$70 options, and cap-toe shoes are one of the biggest trends of the season, such as two discounted pairs from Tory Burch: the Slingback Cap Toe Pump and the Cap Toe Ballet Flat. Knee-high boots are a staple in my fall wardrobe as well as Mary Janes, and another silhouette at the top of my wish list is pointed-toe kitten heels, inspired by a pair I can't stop thinking about from The Row.

Below, shop these five fall shoe trends, on sale at Nordstrom through September 23.

Shop Nordstrom's On-Sale Fall Shoe Trends

Ballet Flats

Cap-Toe

Knee-High Boots

Mary Janes

Pointed Toe Kitten Heels

This transitional-weather period is when our wardrobes need to be ready for anything. Think smart layers that can be thrown on if a chill sets in, swapping out cut-offs for jeans and turning to colours that feel more in tune with the changing seasons. Personally, I like to start with my shoes, and it seems one of our favourite chic A-listers agrees. After months of vibrant colours and toe-baring styles, Dakota Johnson shows that sometimes, nothing's better than the classics, stepping out this week in a pair of rich burgundy ballet flats.

Spotted in New York City, Dakota gave her casually polished press-junket look a sleek lift with a pair of maroon flats. The berry hue worked perfectly with the muted vinyl finish, injecting some strong yet subtle colour into the otherwise neutral look. Her French-feeling ensemble of a cropped checked blazer, black tank top and distressed cropped jeans would’ve looked just as polished with black or beige, but luxe burgundy adds a chic autumnal touch.

And as cooler weather continues to creep closer, ballet flats in this deep shade of red feel like a no-brainer to polish the jeans, trousers and heavy skirts we're about to wear on repeat. Take a cue from Dakota and shop the best burgundy ballet flats below.

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There are a handful of shoes that will be trending for fall 2026 that feel less like trends and more like wardrobe staples. One, in particular, that's at the top of my wish list is low-heel pumps. My dream pair is The Row's $1050 Liisa Kitten Three, but I've found alternatives like Aeyde's Cari Pumps, which are half the price. For a block heel, I love Suzanne Rae's rose-colored City Slippers, and I already own Vagabond's Blanca, my favorite knee-high boots that I've worn the past few falls. Loafers, like G.H.Bass's Whitney Weejuns, are always timeless. Then there are ballet flats, which are my most-worn style year-round.

For options that feel more like true trends, royal purple ballet flats are popping up right now, such as Alex Mill's Prince Street Ballet Flats in violet patent leather. Jazz shoes are a divisive trend that took me by surprise. They were popularized by Celine and its creative director, Michael Rider, then seen on the runways of Bottega Veneta, Jil Sander, and Miu Miu as well.

There are also two-toned, croc-embossed, and satin shoes; the sneakers of choice will be soft, low-profile styles; and last fall, our editors were loving high vamps, which we'll be continuing to wear.

Shop Fall 2026 Shoe Trends

Ballet Flats

Croc-Embossed

High Vamps

Jazz Shoes

Knee-High Boots

Loafers

Low-Heel Pumps

Mary Janes

Purple

Satin

Soft Sneakers

Two-Tone

With over five years of experience as a fashion editor, I ought to know better than to say I'll never wear a particular trend again. Fashion moves in cycles, bringing past styles back into rotation so that they feel brand-new—provided they're styled thoughtfully. One example is the "dated" denim trend I just spotted on Katie Holmes.

This week, Katie Holmes was photographed at JFK Airport with her boyfriend, Jason Yarmosky. For the travel day that brought her from Italy to NYC, she wore a casual yet elevated outfit: a chunky sweater and frayed-hem jeans. She paired the two with patent-leather Mary Janes and a large tote bag.

Having closely observed her street-style choices over time, I know Holmes has an extensive footwear collection. Choosing Mary Janes over any other option was clearly intentional. The laid-back silhouette and raw, frayed details of her jeans provided a sleek contrast to the glossy, polished leather of her flats.

Keep scrolling to see how Holmes styled this look, then shop the best frayed-hem jeans and Mary Janes to take you from the last days of summer straight into fall and beyond.

The Outfit on Holmes

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Early autumn is perhaps my favourite time of year, not least of all because it affords me the opportunity to embrace my long-time favourite accessory: tights. And, stocking me up on styling inspiration, I can see that Kate Moss is as pleased as I am, stepping out amid the maelstrom of New York Fashion Week events in a semi-sheer pair styled with an LBD. Where I typically pair my 15-deniers with knee-high boots or at least a pointed-toe heel, Kate sidestepped both, instead stepping into a pair of flat, French-looking shoes I would have assumed wouldn't work. Trust Kate to prove me wrong.

Selecting a pair of black ballet flats, Kate crafted a look that would have been just as at home on the streets of Paris. Practical enough for trotting up the city, the simple flats lent her outfit an elegant foundation, which she accessorised into a totally sophisticated look.

With their totally flat silhouette, I'd always assumed that a ballet flat-and-tights pairing would cut the leg off, shortening the frame, but I must admit that Kate's look does anything but. Perhaps it's the tonal black shades of the tights and shoes, which create one sleek, fluid line that then flows seamlessly into her LBD for a cohesive, elongated look.

Wrapped up in a cream jacket and topped with a pair of oversized sunglasses, Kate kept her styling uncomplicated and chic. At last confirming that my tights can look just as chic with a minidress and ballet flats as they do with any heeled boot, I'm ready to take this styling inspiration to the ground. If you're feeling similarly inspired, I think I've just found my new favourite early-autumn pairing.

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We're officially in the middle of that weird time of year in which it might feel like summer one day and fall the next. On the days when it still feels like summer, it's understandable if you don't want to keep dressing like it's mid-July. What's one to wear? The outfit Zoë Kravitz just wore in NYC is an excellent idea.

If you've spent any time in New York lately, the all-black outfit Kravitz was photographed wearing will probably look familiar because it includes the skirt trend and classic flat-shoe style all the cool New Yorkers are wearing. The skirt is a knee-length slip skirt, and the shoes are high-foot ballet flats, which she paired with a black tank and wraparound sunglasses. Wear this look, and you'll fit right in, from Tribeca to the Upper East Side.

Keep scrolling to see Kravitz's look and shop the NYC cool girl–approved skirt and flat-shoe trends.

As Seen on Zoë Kravitz

On Zoë Kravitz: Thistles sunglasses; The Row Denzel Tank ($690) and shoes; Cou Cou Intimates The Slip Skirt ($78)

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This summer, I made a conscious effort to give my jeans a break and live in shorts, skirts, and dresses instead. Why? Honestly, I needed a reset. By the time winter rolls around, I'm usually so burned out on my denim collection, and I want to make sure that doesn't happen again this year. But with fall already on the horizon, I'm starting to think about bringing jeans back into my rotation and figuring out which styles I want to wear again. One silhouette that's quickly made its way to the top of my list? Slim bootcut jeans. I spotted Kate Moss wearing a pair this week in London, and I happen to have a favorite pair from Levi's.

Finding the shoe that makes slim bootcut jeans look chic rather than "dated" can feel a little tricky, especially when it's too early to pull out boots. However, Moss makes it seem easy by opting for classic black ballet flats. The very traditional, timeless style perfectly grounds the late '90s to early 2000s silhouette, making them feel modern again. Plus, since I live in New York City, where walking is my preferred mode of transportation, there's really no more comfortable choice than ballet flats—well, other than sneakers, which you won't find me wearing with denim.

When it comes to styling the flats-and-jeans look, I could take inspiration from Moss again and finish the outfit with a tie-neck button-down shirt and a leather top-handle bag. Or, I could go for a Chloé-esque blouse with a slouchy shoulder bag, a white T-shirt with a trench coat, or a fitted sweater with a suede belt. The styling possibilities are endless.

Scroll on to discover and shop the chicest slim bootcut jeans and ballet flats to invest in now.

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