Embarking on new season fashion trends might feel intimidating, but dipping a toe into the world of new shoe trends can often feel a whole lot more manageable. After all, not only do they take up a smaller percentage of your look than a head-to-toe outfit but they're also much easier to switch out for an emergency spare pair should you regret your choice by lunch time.
But what are the shoe trends this festive season?
Whether you're a heel wearer or into comfier kicks, you're looking for something that'll make a statement or you're in the market for a timeless new pair that'll see you through several seasons to come, autumn/winter 2023 has got it all.
Here are the 7 key shoe trends that you're about to start noticing everywhere…
After years of the square-toe reigning supreme, it's time for a new silhouette to take centre stage. While the rounded-toe might be popular in the world of ballet flats right now, thankfully it's not the shape we're seeing across the rest of the industry. Instead, it's all about the point. And not just any point… The sharper, more aggressive the point on your shoe, the more on-trend it is. Whether you're shopping for boots or courts, stilettos or flats, if your shoe looks like it could potentially puncture a football you're on the right track. Unless, of course, you're a footballer.
Nothing says party season like a little metallic action. But while we have a few more months to wait until those Christmas events kick off, some of our favourite fashion houses have decided to bring the party forward ever so slightly, with some pretty major silver footwear options for winter. The perfect way to zhush up a full-length knit, to offset an angelic white tight moment or bring a high fashion edge to your date night look, we'd be lying if we said we weren't sold the minute we spotted the first pair hit the runway.
The Mary-Jane might be the nostalgic silhouette on the top of most shoe-lovers radars right now, but it'll soon make way for the T-bar take. A super traditional school shoe shape in its flat iteration, for winter its targeting a more established womenswear look. Heeled, and most commonly monochrome in hue, it's a surprisingly versatile look that can be worn with everything from officewear to jeans and even evening dresses. To avoid looking too twee it's wise to pair yours with something perhaps a little risqué, with sheer or lace accents a failsafe option.
Doing a sharp 180 from the aforementioned twee sentiments, another of the season's key shoe silhouettes is a whole lot heavier. Oversized, chunky loafers with a wide rubber sole that look as though you may have raided the outdatedly-stereotypical ‘menswear’ section in your local department store, this trend is all about leaning into the ‘Wrong Shoe Theory’. Whether you're in a super sexy pants-over-tights look, a workwear skirt suit or your comfiest jeans, there's nothing that wouldn't benefit from a bulky loafer this winter.
It's the simplest way to elevate your look.
A shoe trend that lends itself nicely to ticking off not one but two trends on this list, the court shoe is back in a big way this season - and you'd be wise to make yours pointed. Once seen as the workwear staple of office-goers everywhere, it's fast becoming one of the hottest shoe trends to plump for regardless of the occasion. Sure they look great with a trouser suit, but have you ever worn yours with an evening gown? A denim midi skirt? A knitted maxi dress? A boilersuit? We hate to say it, but yes, this is another silhouette that really lends itself to the viral Wrong Shoe Theory.
‘Boots for winter’ is about as obvious a trend as ‘florals for spring’ but while we can almost sense Miranda Priestly's eye roll already hear us out. While ankle books and knee-highs have been fighting for our attention over recent years, there's an unexpected sibling that's sneaking up on the inside lane ready to steal our hearts. The midi boot sits, as you should've guessed by now, midway between the ankle and the knee, and is just slightly taller than the classic Dr. Martens shape. Similar in style, this season it's also all about ensuring yours are laced-up from top to toe.
For those of you who are seeing heels, hearing ‘points’ and recoiling at anything metallic, let us serve up a peace offering via the season's final hero shoe trend; the souped-up sneaker. Certainly comfier than anything else on this list, sometimes nothing will do but your favourite trainers. But, for this season in particular, substance needn't override style as both come together in beautiful harmony courtesy of several major fashion houses; many of which have collaborated with sneaker-stalwarts. Cecilie Bahnsen x Asics and Miu Miu x New Balance, we're looking at you.
For more of the season's fashion forecast, take a look at our hero trend report for autumn/winter 2023.
Believe it or not, the official start of winter is only just arriving.
For more from Glamour UK's Fashion Editor Charlie Teather, follow her on Instagram @charlieteather.
