Is your wardrobe starting to feel a little stale? No worries—spring’s biggest shoe trends are here to rescue you from the doldrums of getting dressed. (Nothing has the power to make your go-to outfits feel fresh quite like some shiny new footwear.) Most of our favorite trends this season lean minimalist, from backless loafers to understated flats and slim, uncomplicated sneakers, meaning they’re especially easy to wear. But if you prefer to make more of a statement, embellished heels and boho clogs are also having a big moment in 2026. Dive into our absolute favorite shoe trends of the season below, complete with curated selects and styling tips.
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1. Barely there soles
The extra-thin sneaker was one of last year’s most popular trends, and nearly every brand now offers its own iteration for 2026. (Just ask Dries Van Noten, Celine, and Prada, which all showed them on their spring 2026 runways.) Unlike blister-inducing strappy heels or slip-prone, leather-soled loafers, these shoes are delightfully fuss-free—and the svelte shape makes them feel a little more elevated than your standard sneakers. The look isn’t limited to this category—one of our favorite spring boot trends is the super-slim silhouette—but it’s certainly the easiest way to try it.
Styling tip: Skip the no-shows and ankle socks—instead, go for crew socks in a bold color (maybe cherry red or icy blue) to emulate our favorite recent street-style looks.
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2. Ladylike pumps
This foot-hugging, low-heeled silhouette is a welcome alternative to stilettos, which run the risk of sticking in sidewalk cracks. With a strong designer backing this season from the likes of cool-girl labels Khaite and Toteme, this trend has a back-to-work energy, ideal for styling with the relaxed tailoring and pencil skirts we’re seeing everywhere this season. They’re perfect for transitional-weather outfits when you want to look put-together and on-trend all at once.
Styling tip: Stick to earthy neutrals and vampy shades like burgundy and chocolate brown, which hew closer to what we saw on the catwalk and will go with everything in your closet.
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So many labels—Bottega Veneta, Celine, Calvin Klein, Tod’s, Ferragamo, you name it—showed backless loafers for spring that it’s a sure bet we’ll see them everywhere as the weather warms up. The shoes have been becoming more and more casual over the past few years, with suede and ruched iterations gaining ground over their stiffer counterparts. The mule silhouette, meanwhile, is pretty much as relaxed as loafers can get, and we’re already daydreaming about wearing them everywhere from the office to the airport.
Styling tip: Avoid socks entirely and instead focus your efforts on the rest of your ensemble. Why not some wide-leg trousers, a crisp shirtdress, or airy linen pants?
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4. V-neck shoes
The latest way to spice up an otherwise understated pair of shoes is borrowed from your knitwear collection. This season, labels such as Chanel, Balenciaga, and Stella McCartney have replaced the usual curved vamp at the top of their flats and heels with a V-shaped cut, lending them a slightly surreal quality.
Styling tip: These shoes do plenty of talking on their own, so give them room to breathe with a simple outfit. Try a T-shirt, straight-leg jeans, and a trench—or go with a cashmere cardigan and a slip dress.
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Embellishment is everywhere at the moment, and spring’s catwalks brought us glittering flapper dresses and feather-encrusted skirts in spades. But perhaps the easiest (and maybe most exciting) entryway into the trend is fancy footwear. Beaded pumps at Tory Burch and Dries Van Noten, rosette-embellished heels at Dior and Proenza Schouler, metal accents at Balenciaga and Calvin Klein—more is more, just like in the shoe collection of a certain Sex and the City character. These picks play into the look without being too tough to wear regularly.
Styling tip: This is going-out footwear, so lean in and wear it with your nicest eveningwear and wedding-guest dresses of all hemlines. (It’ll also look great with wide-leg jeans that just kiss the floor.)
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6. Studded clogs
While studded bags had their moment last year, studded shoes are just stepping into the spotlight—and clogs are at the forefront. Versace, Bottega Veneta, Moschino, Zimmermann, and Simone Rocha all showed studded clogs for spring, making us want to slip into a peasant blouse and some flared jeans ASAP. Plus, thanks to sturdy heels and adjustable straps, these finds are some of the most walking-friendly statement shoes you’ll encounter this season.
Styling tip: Why fight the bohemian vibes? These picks will look lovely with bootcut denim and flowy dresses. Heeled options also work well for dressier events, like dinner dates and casual weddings.
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7. Commuter footwear
As more and more of us head back to the office for the majority of the week, fashion is responding with work-appropriate footwear oozing with personality. Oxfords, derbies, and loafers popped up practically everywhere we looked on the spring runways, including at Loewe, Jil Sander, and Simone Rocha. (Call them grandpa shoes.) Put a cheeky spin on the classics with a pair of buckled flats from Bass, nod at Celine’s jazz shoes with Reformation’s lookalikes, or try your hand at the sneaker loafers (snoafers?) trend with New Balance’s viral pair.
Styling tip: While these picks will obviously work with your weekday wardrobe, try styling them with patterned socks, a featherweight sweater, and a miniskirt for off-duty outings.
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