This was the summer of the flip-flop. The humble poolside companion has long been a warm-weather staple, but this year they really came into their own. In the UK, they were spotted everywhere, from the lido to the local park, corner shops to pub gardens, and unless you’re planning a trip to a place where the weather warrants a thong-toed shoe, the time has finally come to bid them farewell, and move on to sturdier styles.
If you’re in the market for something new, then the batch of autumn/winter 2026 shoe trends can provide a wealth of inspiration, and help you decide what to invest in. Winter signals the beginning of boot season – the most natural shoe choice for the tail-end of the year, given they provide protection from inclement weather. Flat soles are a sensible, comfortable and versatile option – the ideal footwear trifecta – and this season they came with characterful buckles and moto details, as seen at Jonathan Anderson’s Dior show.
Alongside his fresh Dior footwear arsenal, the designer recently collaborated with Ugg, offering the fashion set two new shoe styles to keep cosy in over the winter months. Emblazoned with the signature penny loafer detail from his eponymous collection and rounded off with a toe silhouette that is similar to the shapes he pushed during his tenure at Loewe, the shearling-lined Ugg X JW Anderson mules and boots came in the classic chestnut shade, as well as khaki and pithy orange. A directional alternative to regular slippers.
Anyone keen to add a little more height should consider trying the trending cone heels that grounded knee-high boots on the autumn/winter runways, or the spindly-stiletto-heeled sock boots that, as their name suggests, fit like a glove (sock). Seen at Kallmeyer and Chanel, they are crafted from supple gossamer-thin suede or Nappa leather that clings tightly to the calf.
A look at autumn/winter 2026’s top shoe trends
Elsewhere, the kitten heel was a reference point for many designers this season – Celine, Prada, and Proenza Schouler included – all of whom reworked pared-back silhouettes with playful, feminine flourishes. (Those looking for a little more height can turn to options from Victoria Beckham, Jil Sander, and Stella McCartney.)
Several brands reimagined the T-strap in both heeled sandal and pump form. It’s a perfect shoe for all-year-round, and in these colder months, you can pair them with socks – as seen at Dries Van Noten and Fendi.
Slippers made their mark for autumn, too, from the return of classics like Gucci’s fur-lined horsebit style to patterned and embroidered takes from Ralph Lauren and Conner Ives. A slip-on style brings an ease to daily dressing, adding a polished feel to worn-in jeans, and a laid-back mood to skirts.
Here is a rundown of the top autumn/winter 2026 shoe trends to invest in now.
The biker boot
Step into the new season in style with a swashbuckled biker boot that’s riddled with attitude, as seen at Jonathan Anderson’s Dior show. His ankle-height iterations came with gilded moto details and the “Dior” logo spelled out across the upper, while other brands leant into more classic takes with buckles and rivets.
High Engine Tie-Embellished Leather Knee Boots
Leather Biker Buckle Block Heel Mid-Calf Boots
The kitten heel
Autumn’s kitten heel marries uptown elegance with downtown edge, thanks to unexpected touches like intricate embellishments and modern hardware. For the on-the-go woman, it’s a sensible style for the 9-to-5 – with plenty of personality to boot.
The slipper
The slipper’s effortless yet trend-forward nature was illustrated at Conner Ives and Calvin Klein, where it grounded statement skirts and sequinned dresses, respectively. For autumn, it works just as well with poplin dresses and knitwear as with baggy jeans.
The sock boot
Second-skin boots – also known as “sock” boots for their supple profile – have been a fashion favourite for some time, made popular by Demna many moons ago when he released the Knife boot at Balenciaga. New-season takes are more elegant, with low heels and pointed toes that blend seamlessly underneath a skirt or dress.
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The T-strap
The T-strap sandal has made a stealth return thanks to the likes of Dior and Givenchy, which presented open-toe styles that can easily be added to your autumn rotation. We recommend leaning further into the trend with a sharp pointed toe. The shape is a natural match for an elegant midi-skirt, as seen at Calvin Klein, Dries Van Noten, and Fendi.
A.Emery
The pump
A favourite in recent seasons, the fashion pump continues to reign supreme. For autumn 2026, fresh takes walked the runway at Stella McCartney, Chanel, and Tory Burch – from barely-there glove pumps to sculptural cone heels. We love it rendered in unexpected hues and playful prints for right now – bold dressers should even consider wearing them with coloured tights.
The animal-print shoe
The autumn/winter 2026 runways went wild for animal prints. Leopard, snakeskin, zebra, and even abstract iterations appeared across footwear styles. Minimalists should take their cues from Toteme, and pair tiger-print flats with sleek tights and a faux-fur jacket. For maximalists, meanwhile, Isabel Marant’s crimson jeans are the ideal companion for a pair of zebra-print boots.
The cone heel
An extension of the fashion pump – another hero of this season – the cone heel made its mark on the autumn/winter 2026 runways. Spotted on pumps, slingbacks, and boots, the sculptural silhouette instantly sharpens your look. Use colourful pumps to punctuate simple ensembles, while cone-heel boots pair effortlessly with statement skirts.
The statement shoe
Minimalists look away now. The autumn/winter 2026 collections invited us to have more fun with our footwear, with shoes that were quite literally weighed down with fringing, sequins and tassels. At Prada, kitten heels were dripping in delicate beading, while Miu Miu adorned its trainers in dense sequins. No matter the occasion or destination, they bring a little fancy footwork to every step. Prepare to see a lot more of these Miu Miu sneakers over fashion month.
