It's My Job to Spot Shoe Trends—9 Pretty Styles That Are Ruling 2024

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(Image credit: @elizagracehuber)

I've been spending much of my time lately combing through the thousands of looks from the spring/summer 2024 runway shoes to inform our big new-season trend report. This lengthy process was made all the more time consuming, as I kept getting distracted by all the pretty shoes I found on my travels. Admittedly, I am a shoe person but one who can usually contain herself, only backing or buying into the shoe trends I genuinely think have merit and will have a positive impact and push forward my style. I certainly didn't expect to fall (hard!) for nine of them!

For the year ahead, designers have presented a range of shoe trends, including, but not limited to, a continuation of mary janes and styles finished in rich ruby red that echo the season's defining colour. I'll admit, 90% of the shoe trends for 2024 aren't exactly practical either—there are bows, fragile heels and soft fabrications to eat up. But they are fun, and will bring joy to even your most basic outfits. However, if comfort really is your main concern, rest assured there is a shoe waiting for you in the midst...

Ahead, see the nine biggest shoe trends for 2024, including the styles to shop now. Then, why not take a peek at handbags while you're at it...

1. Topped With a Bow

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF ERDEM)

Style Notes: This season, bows cropped up across clothing and accessories, though shoes were perhaps the most charming iteration. Erdem's incorporation of bows extends beyond ornamentation, nor does it adhere to practicality either—its floppy, ground-skimming bows were a deliberate choice; one that transforms each step into a nuanced state of elegance.

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF ERDEM)

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2. Mary Jane? I Know Her! 

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF 16ARLINGTON)

Style Notes: The resurgence of the mary jane has had a significant impact on fashion for 2024, with the shoe style appearing on countless runways. As seen at 16Arlington—the brand favoured heeled styles over flats—it bestowed every look with a timeless sophistication. These shoes aren't just accessories; they're a continuum of grace.

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF 16ARLINGTON)

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3. Walking Flower Beds

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF CHLOÉ)

Style Notes: Corsage detailing might have been big over the past few months, but the trend still has steam in 2024. Now, I'm seeing more and more floral shoes enter the discussion. Chloé's petal pile-up makes for an interesting texture, but you can also find more sculptural, modern styles on the market if your style is less whimsical.

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF CHLOÉ)

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4. Gold Accents

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF FERRAGAMO)

Style Notes: After a solid year of silver stealing focus, gold is back on the style agenda, with dresses, bags and suiting all paying homage to the metallic. On shoes, you'll notice lots of gold accents will begin to infiltrate the market. Think gleaming heels, contrast toe caps and chunky adornments, including studs and snaffles.

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(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES/FERRAGAMO )

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5. Let it Slip

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF JW ANDERSON)

Style Notes: This season, a spotlight has been shone on slip-on house shoes. Delivering more than just comfort, suede clogs and shearling-lined booties signify a lifestyle shift, blurring the boundaries between home and the outside world. Cosy and cool, follow JW Anderson's lead and wear yours with sleek outerwear for a fun juxtaposition.

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF JW ANDERSON)

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6. Ruby Red

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF MSGM)

Style Notes: There may be no place like home, but this shoe trend is too pretty to keep cooped up indoors. Red shoes, be they fancy heels or flats, were all over the runway—this shouldn't come as a surprise seeing as bright red has been the biggest colour trend of the past year—and offer an easy way to pep up your outfits for 2024.

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF MSGM)

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7. Socks and Sandals 2.0 

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF VICTORIA BECKHAM)

Style Notes: Socks and sandals might be your dad's forte come summer, but Victoria Beckham just presented the combination a wholly different context. Pairing knee-highs with stacked-sole sandals, the look becomes spicy (and posh).

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF VICTORIA BECKHAM)

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8. Built-In Anklets

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Fendi)

Style Notes: With footwear being as much an accessory as any jewellery trend, its a natural evolution for the two to combine. For 2024, Fendi showcased that the hybrid anklet-shoe offering form, function and a little flashiness in one.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Fendi)

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9. Return of the Flip-Flop

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(Image credit: COURTESY OF CHANEL)

Style Notes: Unless you're jetting off in the next few months, this is a trend you'll probably want to revisit. Although simple, the humble flip-flops's hold on 2024 can't be ignored. Seen all over the fashion month circuit, it was Chanel that cemented this as a need-to-know shoe trend. How cute as those tiny interlocking Cs?

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(Image credit: GETTY IMAGES/CHANEL)

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This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.