If you've ever looked for an affordable alternative to The Row's $820 Elastic Ballet Slippers, which are now sold out, there's one option that consistently comes up for $722 less: Madewell's Greta Mary Jane Flats.

Even beyond their "The Row on a budget" comparison, I've seen them pop up on my TikTok For You page, recommended as walking shoes you can do 20,000 steps in. For people who aren't big on wearing sneakers, the Greta Mary Jane Flats are often categorized as a niche option that is both chic and comfortable.

As the product description reads, "Our best-selling leather ballet flats have a perfectly squared-off toe, an elastic Mary Jane strap, and dozens of five-star reviews. Plus, our MWL Cloudlift Lite padding makes it feel like you're walking on a... well, you know." The black colorway is a staple, but they also come in on-trend burgundy.

Keep scrolling to shop the $98 shoes.

Madewell Greta Mary Janes

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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.

Shop More Flat Shoes for Fall 2026

If you're on the East Coast, you've probably felt a recent dip in temperatures. It seems like fall has arrived early, and many retailers have stocked their shelves with a variety of fashion items perfect for the season ahead. A little hack I love to use for finding unexpected deals on popular items is to browse through TJ Maxx.

Recently, the retailer has been adding on-trend fall shoes from a range of contemporary and designer brands. Since making top-tier shopping recommendations is what I do best, I've hand-picked a few pairs worth buying just for you. Keep scrolling to uncover your soon-to-be favorite fall shoes.

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.

My aunt and I have pretty opposite styles and preferences when it comes to clothing. While I tend to lean minimalist, she prefers maximalism. Another way we're different is where I have a closet with only one pair of sneakers for the gym, it's one of her favorite items to buy, and she has quite the collection. She's a busy mom, and since she knows I online-shop for work, she'll sometimes text me with shopping requests. This time, she asked me to go through the Zappos sale (20% off with the code FALL20) and send her the best on-sale sneakers before the discounts end tomorrow, September 29.

Knowing her taste, there were a few things I started scanning for as I scrolled: colorful options, animal prints, interesting silhouettes, and unique details—options she wouldn't deem "boring." I knew she'd appreciate Adidas's Mary Jane sneakers, silver Pumas, and cheetah-print Reeboks. For a designer option, I had a feeling she'd want to see the pink-and-red satin ones from Marc Jacobs.

Ahead, shop these and more sneakers on sale at Zappos—including styles under $60.

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$60 and Under

Over $60

As we turn the corner into autumn, there is only one category of fashion I can think about: shoes. After six months of toe-baring, foot-flaunting styles, I, for one, am more than ready to put my monthly pedicure on pause and turn my attention towards the wonderful world of closed-toe styles. Now, as much as I adore a practical pair of trainers and swoon after the Parisian polish of timeless ballet flats, what my heart truly yearns for come autumn is loafers. Specifically, those with a ruched toe.

There's something inherently autumnal about a "back to school" loafer, and its preppy charm has fashion people hooked. Defined by the soft, gathered detailing across the front, following around the toe box, this finishing touch transforms the otherwise staid shape of the minimalist go-to into something altogether far cooler. There's a good reason Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi have long been fans of The Row’s Soft Leather Loafers, and after a scroll through my social media feeds, it seems they're far from the only ones on the ruched-loafer hype.

Having cast my seasoned eye over the masses of stylish pairs on the market right now, I’ve done the legwork to bring you the best of the best, divided by price. So whether you’re after an affordable suede pair or a more maximalist embellished style, keep scrolling to see and shop the best ruched loafers on the market right now. Consider this the only shoe update you'll need this season.

The Best Ruched Loafers on the Market Right Now

1. Under £100

Style Notes: Loafers and white socks are a classic combination, but if you’re after a way to make them feel a little less Michael Jackson and a little more autumn chic, make sure you choose a longer pair of jeans. This way, the flash of white will feel more deliberate.

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2. Under £250

Style Notes: Perfect for transitional days, Marilyn’s look (pictured above) is exactly how I’ll be styling loafers this autumn. The soft structure of her black midi skirt keeps things smart, whilst the blue shirt provides a subtle pop of colour. On cooler days, throw on a trench coat for a functional yet stylish look.

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3. Over £500

Style Notes: I adore the polished feel that Kendall's The Row Soft Leather Loafers bring to her outfits. Whilst her red skirt, black jumper and Ralph Lauren cap would look just as cool with trainers, the loafers elevate the timeless combination with a preppy finish.

Shop Ruched Loafers Over £500:

Last time I visited London, there was one sneaker brand I noticed people wearing the most by far when out and about: Adidas. Again and again, I saw them across the city, from Dalston to Soho. Given its collaborations with brands and designers like Miaou, Wales Bonner, and Yohji Yamamoto, it's especially popular among people in fashion.

When you think of Adidas, you might picture traditional pairs like Sambas and Superstars, but even around New York City, I notice less conventional styles all the time, like the Taekwondo Shoes, which went viral in 2025. Other examples include the Barreda Mary Jane, Samba Jane Shoes, and Tokyo MJ Shoes, all of which are Mary Jane sneakers. Then there are ballet-inspired ones like the Ghost Sprint Ballet and Taekwondo Mei Ballet, and various animal prints have been trending too, such as cow, deer, giraffe, leopard, and zebra.

Ahead, shop Adidas sneakers in a range of silhouettes, colorways, and prints, including on-sale options for up to 40% off—all under $150.

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Barreda Mary Jane

Ghost Sprint Ballet

Japan

Samba Jane

Taekwondo

Taekwondo Mei Ballet

Tokyo

Tokyo MJ

Camo pants have officially made their way back into the fashion conversation, and this time around, the styling feels noticeably different. Rather than leaning into their utilitarian roots, the coolest outfits of 2026 are pairing camouflage with shoes that feel sleek, polished, and even a little unexpected. It’s that contrast that makes the print feel fresh again—and far removed from the way you might remember wearing it years ago.

The easiest way to approach camo pants right now is to treat them like any other statement pant and let the shoes determine the direction of the outfit. Sleek black flats can instantly make a loose pair feel more refined, while strappy heeled sandals create an unexpectedly elevated contrast. Leather boots give the print a cool fall-ready edge, and pointed-toe heels are an easy way to dress camo up without making the outfit feel overly styled.

Ultimately, the best shoes to wear with camo pants in 2026 are the ones that balance out the print rather than compete with it. Clean lines, streamlined silhouettes, and polished finishes make even the most oversized cargo-style pair feel intentional. Whether you’re styling camo casually for daytime or giving it a dressed-up spin for night, these shoe pairings are proof that the trend has a lot more range than you might expect.

Shoes to Wear With Camo Pants in 2026

Get the look: Boatneck top + Camo pants + Long necklace + Block-heel ballet shoes

Get the look: Crisp button-down shirt + Camo pants + Pointed-toe heels

Get the look: Denim jacket + Fringe top + Camo pants + Flats

Get the look: Tank + Camo pants + Tall boots + Layered necklaces

Get the look: Layered shirt + Camo pants + Designer ballet flats

Get the look: Printed button-down shirt + Camo pants + Fringe bag + Black heels

Get the look: Plain t-shirt + Camo pants + Pointed-toe flats + Sleek bag

Get the look: Oversized coat + Sweater + T-shirt + Camo pants + Chunky loafers

Get the look: Jacket + T-shirt + Camo pants + Bandana + Open-toe heels

Get the look: Long-sleeve shirt + Camo pants + Flip flops + Bright bag

Three magical words for any fashion person are, once again, in our vocabulary: It's boot season. There's simply no easier avenue to a chicer fall outfit than a good pair of boots. The only problem is the vast number of options to choose from. No one should have to narrow them down without some assistance, and I'm here to provide just that. Given my profession, I'm very familiar with seasonal trends and retailers' stock at any given moment, so trust that you're in good hands.

Whether your goal is to invest in classic ankle boots or add the trendiest style of the season to your collection, I've found the best options for you. My only advice is to shop now because history shows that as temperatures drop, so do the in-stock units of the best options. Without further ado, scroll on to peruse the best boots of fall 2026, chosen by yours truly.

The Best Boots of Fall 2026

My go-to shoes for the past few falls have been knee-high boots, and that remains the same this season. Since I get cold easily but still like wearing dresses and skirts with tights this time of year, I like that they cover more of my leg to keep me warmer. One of my most-worn outfit formulas once the weather gets chilly is a sweater, turtleneck, or cardigan with a pleated wool midi skirt and knee-high boots.

As soon as the temperatures start dropping, I wear Vagabond's Blanca Boots all the time. I also have Frye's Campus Boots, which have been popular for years now.

If money were no object, my absolute dream pair would be from Miu Miu. With a distinctive bubble sole referencing Miu Miu's early 2000s archive, the Stretch Nappa Leather Boots stole my heart as soon as I saw them on the fall/winter 2026 runway. Another wish-list pair is Tory Burch's Cap Toe Knee High Boots, and other editor-favorite brands that come to mind are Carel and Miista.

Ahead, shop the chicest pairs—whether you have a Zara budget or The Row money.

Shop Knee-High Boots

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.

With autumn finally here and temperatures finally starting to drop, it’s time to pack away my sandals until next spring and replace them with some warmer alternatives. Now you might initially be thinking that I’ll be pulling out a pair of boots, and although I’m very loyal to them throughout winter and early spring, after a long heatwave here in the UK, they still feel too warm for the current weather. Not to mention that I find them much harder to style with my jeans, skirts and tailored trousers. So, for autumn 2026 specifically, I’m on the hunt for some stylish flat shoes to see me through until it gets really chilly at the end of the year.

My first port of call for inspiration? The runway, of course, and the autumn/winter 2026 shows were filled with a plethora of different flat-shoe trends that are set to dominate the upcoming season. And you’ll be pleased to know that there’s something to suit everyone, from easy slip-on mules that minimalists will love to statement-making faux fur styles that every maximalist dresser will be wearing this season.

And after hours of scrolling through the look books of my favourite designers, I’ve narrowed my attention down to the five standout trends that everyone will be wearing this autumn. But the best part? I’ve rounded them up for you below.

Keep scrolling to discover the five flat-shoe trends set to dominate autumn 2026.

5 Flat Shoe Trends I'm Wearing Instead of Boots This Autumn

1. Slide-On Mules

Style notes: With comfort at the forefront of my mind this season, now is the perfect time to hop on the slide-on mule that designers are backing for autumn 2026. They’re comfortable, easy to style and, most importantly, will never go out of style. And don’t just take it from me; the likes of Zimmerman and Magda Butrym are also big fans of the backless mule trend.

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2. Faux-Fur

Style notes: Cosy season has officially started, and I can’t think of a trend that encapsulates this better than the faux fur flat shoe. Not only do they feel extremely warm and comfortable, but they’re also an easy way to dress up classic jeans, dresses, or skirts if you’re more of a pared-back dresser like me.

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3. Violet Purple

Style notes: Throughout autumn, I tend to stick to neutral hues like black or brown, but the bright purple colour that I spotted on the autumn/winter runways is calling to me. It’s sure to earn you compliments and is an easy way to add interest to an otherwise neutral outfit, but something about this colour still manages to feel extremely expensive and wearable. Consider me convinced.

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4. Snake Print

Style notes: For autumn 2026, fashion people have their eyes set on a classic pattern that both minimalists and maximalists can get behind. Enter the snake print flats. With a pattern that’s bold enough to add interest to an outfit, but a colour palette that remains neutral and easy to style, I have a feeling that we’ll be seeing snake ballet flats, trainers and more everywhere this season.

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5. Embellished

Style notes: Looking for an easy way to add some texture to your autumn outfits? The embroidered flat shoe trend has you covered. Showcased on the catwalk by the likes of Miu Miu and Absent Findings, the pretty footwear trend feels perfect for all of my upcoming formal events without me having to pull out an uncomfy pair of heels.

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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

Obviously, sneakers and loafers are go-to shoe choices for fashion people to look cool and effortless. While sneakers and loafers clearly remain a staple, this fall's other trending flat shoes offer an equally cool, effortless alternative. In fact, after scrolling through my Saved images on Instagram, the shoe styles in question seem to be in heavy rotation for some of the most fashionable in New York City (including some of my colleagues). New Yorkers are known for their forward aesthetics, so it's no surprise these modern shoe silhouettes are essentials.

Keep scrolling for four of the chicest fall flat-shoe trends that will make any ensemble that much more stylish. You'll also notice visual inspiration from fashion people in NYC, along with shopping picks if you want to add one or all of the shoe trends to your closet.

Ballet Flats and Jazz Shoes

Of course ballet flats were going to be on this list—especially the absolute classic choice Olympia Gayot (the creative director at J.Crew) is wearing here. Speaking of J.Crew, the label has a chic pair of derby shoes, or jazz shoes, right now. I've also been spotting this trend on fashionable New Yorkers.

Animal-Print Flats

This flat shoe trend isn't so much shape-specific but focused on the print. Whether they're mules, ballerinas, or Mary Janes, flat shoes in animal print (any pattern—from leopard to zebra) are a stylish choice for 2026.

Flat Boots

A flat boot or a style with a super-low heel is a sleek and modern choice to wear this fall. Plus, it's going to bring more comfort than a super-high heeled boot.