"Reliable." That's the keyword for trends this fashion month. After scanning fashion week photos from New York to Milan, we can confirm that the overarching theme for street style footwear trends this season is a return of the classics. Old faithfuls, if you will. The type of shoes that look good, feel good and work with just about every kind of style. Some of this year's shoe trends were popular in recent seasons, but there's one style that we haven't seen at the top of the fashion charts for quite some years. All of them are shoe styles that we can—and will—actually wear in our everyday lives this autumn. Praise be!
The season's shoe trends are led by two chunky styles, which comes as no surprise after a heavy-soled summer in Tevas. For those who love heels, we've seen Bottega Veneta influence two major trends, one more classic and one more trend-driven. Of course, there have been a few cult pieces—a few from Prada, plus a dreamy pair of snakeskin Jimmy Choo boots—though less than we've been accustomed to seeing the last few years.
With investment pieces as the top choice this season, it's no surprise, then, that many of the shoe and boot trends worn on repeat across fashion month echo the shoe trends we've spotted at Zara, as they are not entirely specific to 2019. Keep scrolling to discover the five shoe trends worn on repeat across fashion month, and then see how the street style set are wearing them.
A total classic, knee-high boots have taken over street style outfits, and we're here for it. Though most of us may have continued wearing knee-high boots perennially, they have largely been absent from the fashion forefront in favour of ankle boots until now. First spotted on the Celine A/W 2019 runway in a look inspired by '80s bourgeoise Parisian women, we've seen so many different knee-high boots parading outside the shows.
Style Notes: One new thing about the way the street style set have been wearing knee-high boots this season is the way in which they've been tucking them into loose-fitting trousers. We love how Lou Lou pairs this look with an oversized waistcoat.
Style Notes: This snake-print pair from Jimmy Choo have been among the most popular so far, paired with dresses and trousers alike.
Style Notes: We've also seen them being worn in a very classic way: with jeans and a jumper. Surprisingly odd how this look is novel for influencers.
Style Notes: Emili Sindlev always tries trends out with her own personal twist. We love the colour combos of this outfit. Her olive suede boots tie the greens and browns together beautifully.
Style Notes: For a more vintage take, Bettina Looney opts for a wool skirt, an oversized blazer, a silk scarf and yellow-hued sunnies to go with her brown knee-highs.
Style Notes: Camille Charrière's patent Prada boots had fashion editors going wild on her Instagram page. Paired with her business shorts and tweed jacket, her look is very Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Working Girl.
SHOP THE TREND
From Prada (as spotted on Jessie Bush above) to Arket to the classic Dr. Martens, we imagine we're going to be seeing these boots all autumn long. Like chunky sandals, these pair so well with the puffy-dress trend we've been seeing across fashion month, as they balance out the silhouette.
Style Notes: We love how Erika Boldrin gives an edge to her tennis outfit–inspired look with her Dr. Martens–esque pair.
Style Notes: While they do look so good with dresses of any kind, we've also seen them paired with shorts and a jacket.
Style Notes: As an updated grunge-inspired look, Charlotte Groeneveld wears her chunky Chelsea boots with a plaid skirt suit.
Style Notes: If you want to commit fully to the utility/workwear-inspired look, try your boots with an oversized anorak like Tiffany Hsu's.
SHOP THE TREND
We can absolutely attribute this shoe trend to Bottega Veneta, which took this trend and turned it into a phenomenon this summer with its now-sold-out mesh-and-chain heels.
Style Notes: We've been increasingly spotted barely there shoes, and these mesh heels offer a fresh version. We love how Erika has styled her cardi and khaki trousers with her mesh heels.
Style Notes: Who What Wear Editor in Chief Kat Collings donned a pair of Neous mesh heels with her Jacquemus dress and claimed via Instagram that after walking all day in them at NYFW, they were still comfortable.
Style Notes: Deborah Reyner Sebag's nude mesh heels are nearly invisible, which works with her statement leather jumpsuit.
Open-toe mules—aka Carrie Bradshaw shoes—have been a favourite for a few seasons, but it's great to see them still going strong. Doina Ciobanu opts for a bright blue pair to match her bag and contrast her pink ensemble.
Style Notes: Bottega Veneta (honestly if I had a pound for every time I've written that during fashion month) brought out a quilted pair that were quickly adopted as favourites amongst influencers.
Style Notes: Of course, the Bottega Veneta ones weren't the only pair spotted on the streets of fashion's capitals. These Prada silk mules were another favourite amongst influencers in Milan.
Style Notes: We've seen so many blue pairs of open-toe mules this season (also spotted in Zara), but we love how designer Gilda Ambrosio goes from a head-to-toe look with this hue.
Style Notes: Pairing this brown Boyy pair with a jumpsuit is a good, simple two-step outfit idea for minimalists to try this season.
Style Notes: Matching her white open-toe mules to her sunglasses creates a frame-like effect for this showgoer's all-pink outfit.
SHOP THE TREND
Tamu McPherson's Prada shoes were spotted all over Milan Fashion Week, and the shoe style is one of the top shoe trends of 2019. For those who love flat shoes, these simply work with any outfit, so it's no wonder they're becoming wildly popular.
Style Notes: This showgoer proves that business professional can still be fashion. Just make sure you've swapped your kitten heels for chunky brogues when donning a pencil skirt and a button-down.
Style Notes: Though these might seem like a trend that minimalists will prefer, the shoes were spotted as part of some very loud outfits too.
Style Notes: We love how the Blutstein twins styled their chunky brogues with pale slip dresses and floral shirts layered underneath.
SHOP THE TREND
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