As a petite woman, I love high heels more than most people. But as someone with an ankle injury that causes chronic foot pain, they're not the most practical footwear option in my closet. So imagine my joy when I saw street-style shots from Copenhagen Fashion Week that confirmed my biggest hope: Flat shoes are trending.
Well, ballet flats, loafers, and sneakers have been replacing stilettos among fashion-minded women for some time. But it seems we've hit Peak Flat Shoe in 2026, with It Girls in Copenhagen giving it an enthusiastic co-sign. They join trendsetters in New York and Paris in embracing high-vamp glove flats (Marie Claire's Lauren Tappan was an early adopter) and flatform snow boots that promise comfort and warmth in 2026. Soft, ruched loafers are also replacing the sturdier, classic silhouette I would normally invest in.
