They’ve Arrived: The 8 Shoe Trends That Will Dominate 2026

2026 has so much in store for us, at least when it comes to our wardrobes. One of the most exciting categories of any season is, in my opinion, shoes and that’s certainly no exception for the upcoming year. In addition to the vivid color palettes that are defining the season, the spring/summer 2026 collections are introducing a number of new shoe trends that we already know will land in fashion people’s closets in record time.

I zoomed in on hundreds of runway images and can say with certainty that the eight shoe trends I’m presenting here will have the biggest impact. With the high-vamp heels that will have everyone overlooking flats again to the elegant two-tone vibe inspired by the new-era Chanel, consider this list your North Star for all things stylish footwear. Continue on to get your fill of the major spring/summer 2026 shoe trends to know.

High-Vamp Heels

Flat shoes have dominated the fashion conversation in recent years, but the spring 2026 runways are giving us a big reason to revisit our heels. Designers including Chanel, Alaïa, and Toteme took the silhouette of classic pumps and updated it with one forward detail: a high vamp. The high-cut, higher coverage detail echoes the power-dressing heel silhouettes of the ’80s, a decade that’s increasingly relevant for next season.

Two Tone

All eyes were on Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel debut this season and it was the shoes that insiders were buzzing about the most from the collection. They featured innovative takes on Chanel’s signature black-and-white aesthetic with pieces like contrast-tone heels. But two-tone shoes popped up elsewhere in the collections, too, like the sophisticated driving loafers at Dior and the chain-embellished T-strap pumps at Ferragamo that indicated the dominating shoe color of 2026.

Woven Textures

Woven details are usually synonymous with vacation dressing, but designers are using the warm-weather texture on shoes that go far beyond the beach. For instance, the woven leather slingbacks at Ralph Lauren or the woven loafers at Miu Miu that bring a coastal feel to city wardrobes.

Ballerina Sneakers

Are they sneakers or are they ballet flats? Hybrid “sneakerinas” have been popping up all year from athletic brands like Puma and Adidas, but now designers are adding their luxury spin on the trend. At Prada and Dries Van Noten, the sneakers arrived in delicate satin finishes while at Fendi and Onitsuka Tiger, they came in vibrant colors like pink, green, and red.

Derby Shoes

Not quite as formal as loafers or oxfords but with more sophistication than your average ballet flats, derby shoes are the surprising new style that’s just right for a dose of everyday polish. In his debut Celine spring 2026 collection, Creative Director Michael Rider sent model after model down the runway wearing what first appeared to be regular flats with their slim soles and glove-like fits, but upon closer inspection featured lace-up details. Sportmax, Lanvin, Miu Miu, and Ralph Lauren all followed suit with their respective takes on the derby shoe, indicating that it’s set to become the It flat of 2026.

Pretty Bows

One of the signature elements of Jonathan Anderson’s new Dior is none other than the bow. Thick, tube-like bow details arrived on the shoes in his debut collection, and the detail felt at once sweet and sophisticated. Jacquemus likewise sent out point-toe pumps finished with delicate bows and Erdem’s ballet flats came with large moiré bows affixed to the top. Whether on flats or heels, modern bows are set to be a major shoe trend.

Western Boots

Western details are subtly making their way back right now, and the latest item to emerge is none other than Western boots. Designers introduced ankle and knee-high boot silhouettes in their spring 2026 collections that were decidedly sleek and modern instead of on-the-nose. They arrived slouchy and distressed at Miu Miu and glossy and sharply pointed at ACNE Studios.

Embroidery

Maximalism is so back. All across the collections, we’re noticing an explosion of bright colors, prints, and intricate details but nowhere is that seen more than in shoes. Embroidery, beading, and tasteful sequin finishes are the defining details of spring’s standout shoes, marking the arrival of a brand-new maximalist era in fashion.