The 8 Shoe Trends Everyone Will Buy in 2020
Now that spring is officially here, we're diving into all of the biggest trends spotted on the runways in New York, London, Milan, and Paris. Around the office, Who What Wear’s editors have been comparing notes about the showstopping trends that have been huge during spring 2020.
While there are plenty of ways fashion will be transforming this year, today, we’re discussing the key shoe trends. There's no doubt that other, smaller micro-trends will be emerging, but these are the most important ones to have on your radar. Ahead, discover the eight shoe trends that are emerging in 2020. And if you can’t wait to wear them, shop our edit of styles to add to your wardrobe right now.
Anklets and metal-link jewelry have been everywhere this year, and shoes with chain details are now bringing them to your feet in a more permanent way.
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Several seasons ago, loafers were everywhere but have since tapered off. Well, they're back, but this time with the addition of a block heel and mixed textures. There's no doubt these are one of the biggest shoe trends of 2020.
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Mary Jane heels are a classic shape that has a long history of fashion fans. Who can forget Carrie Bradshaw discovering a pair of Manolo Mary Janes in the fashion closet at Vogue? The 2019 versions include bold colors such as fuchsia and mint green, as well as sculptural shapes, as seen at Maison Margiela.
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This season was full of minimal heels with details like toe rings and asymmetric straps—taking regular mules or Mary Janes and injecting sculptural elements into them. The colors? Most designers stuck to black or white.
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While there were plenty of new color trends, we keep seeing sunny shades of electric yellow and orange on repeat. With sneaker versions as well as luxe finishes like satin and knotted leather, there are styles across the board that will be compelling us to wear the bold hues.
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Espadrilles are returning in a huge way for spring. This time around, they're designed with everything from thick platforms and embellished straps to jewel details. And if you're looking for a fashion-forward way to wear them, lace them over pants at the ankle.
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While knee-high boots are the fall trend we can't get enough of, over-the-knee versions are everywhere this spring. We're seeing sock-like styles that fit snugly to the leg with thicker heels than their predecessors.
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Since '70s fashion emerged as one of the biggest trends of the season overall, it's no surprise that platforms were spotted all over the runways. With everything from jeweled flatforms to open-toe sandals to brogue versions, there are plenty of ways insiders are adopting them.
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Next, read about the best looks from Paris Fashion Week.
This articles was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury and runway content as well as wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, Tiffany & Co., and MyTheresa, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.