Last fashion month was defined by its debuts, from Louise Trotter’s love letter to craftsmanship at Bottega Veneta to Matthieu Blazy’s unbridled joy at Chanel. Designers helped mark the onset of a new chapter by putting their best foot forward, presenting a slate of Spring 2026 shoe trends that felt classic yet inventive, wearable but aspirational—tricky tightropes that the industry's creative class were able to walk without breaking a sweat.
In their Spring 2026 collections, brands built on shoe trends that have worked well in past seasons, though with some choice tweaks. Mesh flats graduated to high heels. Last year’s naked shoes were, somehow, made even more see-through. Unsurprisingly, given its astounding commercial success, the ubiquitous slender sneaker trend also prevailed—this time, though, it broke from the minimalist norm, with Prada, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, and Dries Van Noten incorporating vibrant prints and flashy textures that challenged a less-is-best mentality.
