13 Shoe Trends We’ll See Everywhere In 2024
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9 months ago
Run (don't walk) to get your hands on these year-defining styles
Ready to put your best foot forward this year? Step into 2024 with these stylish shoe trends, straight from the SS24 and AW24 runway.
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The Biggest Shoe Trends For 2024
While fashion may be on a high, shoes are (quite literally) hitting an all-time low, with heels hitting the ground and flats reigning supreme. Want to know more? These are the biggest shoe trends forecasted for 2024:
Trends At A Glance
- Pop of Red
- Thigh-Highs
- Blended Legs
- Kitten Heels
- Sweepers
- Flip Flops & Sandals
- Metallics
- Slouch Boots
- Ballet Flats
- Toe Cut-Outs
- Biker Boots
- Rounded Toes
- Platforms
1. Pop of Red
It’s already the colour of the year, so you shouldn’t be surprised to see red making an appearance throughout 2024. Designers at the AW24 shows opted to showcase shades of ruby, scarlet and crimson as a startling pop of colour on the runway – largely through footwear choices that clashed with more neutral colour palettes. We love a red heel, and can’t wait to see it come back to mainstream dressing.
(L to R) Sportmax AW24, Tolu Coker AW24, FROLOV AW24, Tod’s AW24
2. Thigh-Highs
Another footwear choice climbing the ranks (and legs) are thigh-high boots. Harking back to the noughties (we think Andy Sachs a la The Devil Wears Prada would definitely approve), designers have approached the trend by blending other popular shoe styles from the last few years with an extended leg. Think hitched up biker boots, ultra-covered cowboys and maximalist platforms.
(L to R) Versace AW24, Philipp Plein AW24, Mithridate AW24
3. Blended Legs
Speaking of tall boots, how about complete coverage footwear? AW24 also gave rise to the blended leg, a style that blended the shoe seamlessly into the leg of the outfit – trouser, tights, leggings or otherwise – to create an optical illusion that extends the garment into one continuous (and unbroken) sweep of colour, print and texture.
(L to R) Paul Costelloe AW24, Mark Fast AW24, Rotate AW24, Ferrari AW24
4. Kitten Heels
Not a fan of sky-high stilettos? Well, you’re in luck. In 2024, expect the return of the kitten heel, a design characterised by its teeny tiny heel. ‘Despite people often seeing these shoes as being “grandma-ish”, many designers have reclaimed the kitten heel shape and added their own spin,’ says Amy Smith, a fashion expert from Vendula London. Think vibrant colours, sculptural heels and the introduction of kitten heel boots and slip-ons.
Kitten Heels | Stine Goya SS24 (photo: James Cochrane), Remain SS24 (photo: James Cochrane), David Koma SS24, Versace SS24
5. Sweepers
Statement shoes will also come to the forefront in the form of ‘sweepers’ – AKA, shoes with 3D embellishments that extend its silhouette or let it trail onto (or sweep across) the floor. This burgeoning shoe trend will putting the drama back into footwear in 2024, with styles that toe the line of maximalism in ultra fun ways. We’re talking diamante chandelier tassels, 3D bows, streamers and metallic swathes of fabric.
Sweepers | Stella McCartney SS24, Mugler SS24, ERDEM SS24
For AW24, the trend has seemingly shifted to a bigger celebration of texture – think feathers, beads, pearls, bows, crochet and lace – with silhouettes extending beyond the heel to cover the foot, toe and leg.
(L to R) Simone Rocha AW24, Alpha Andreas Hermann Bloch AW24, David Koma AW24, Susan Fang AW24
6. Flip Flops & Sandals
Following hot on the heels of the Birkenstock revival (thank you, Barbie) is a revamp of the flip flop and sandal. ‘Multiple designers chose to send models down the runway in flip flops at various recent fashion weeks, with minimal styles seeming to be the most popular,’ comments Amy. This is definitely a more laid-back trend, but one that can also be dressed up (or down) during the warmer months.
Flip Flops & Sandals – Valentino SS24, Burberry SS24, Helmstedt SS24 (photo James Cochrane), Stella McCartney SS24
And how will sandals evolve in AW24? If you’re brave enough to get your toes out later on in the year, then expect to fall back on ultra-chunky boyish sandals (think dadcore) with block colours and sporty branding.
Alpha Ingrid Pettersson AW24 (c) James-Cochrane
7. Metallics
Metallics were everywhere on the runway this year – from clothes, accessories and makeup to the shoes walking down the catwalk. It’s safe to say that super shiny shoes will be all the rage in 2024, popping up in traditional shades of gold and silver as well as coloured metals (our bet is on shades of pink, green and orange), glitter and sequins.
Metallics – Burberry SS24, David Koma SS24, Versace SS24, Philipp Plein SS24
Where colourful metallics set the bar early in the year, however, AW24 suggests we’ll be going back to solid silvers and (occasionally) sparkles. Think liquid metal, with an emphasis on ultra-smooth, clean finishes.
(L to R) Bora Aksu AW24, Mark Fast AW24, Huishan Zhang AW24, Mithridate AW24
8. Slouch Boots
Nostalgia-driven trends will continue to swell in popularity in 2024, with an emphasis on Y2K and early 2010s styles. ‘After previously being popular in the early 2000s, slouch boots look like they may become trendy again in 2024,’ confirms Amy. ‘However, in contrast to the boho style of the 2000s iterations, there seems to be more emphasis on the boots being wider and more slouchy, with some designers introducing versions that were adjustable or could be cinched in at the legs.’
Slouch Boots | Alexander McQueen SS24, Versace SS24, Mithridate SS24, David Koma SS24
9. Ballet Flats
Balletcore is also still going strong, meaning we can expect to see more people wearing ballet flats over the next year. A popular feature on the street style circuit, ballet flats have really come into their own – with designers playing with shapes, materials, cut-outs and accessories for 2024.
Ballet Flats | Chanel 2023/24, ERDEM SS24, Valentino SS24, Simone Rocha SS24 (photo: Daniel Sims)
The AW24 runway revealed that ballerinas will be a year-round transeasonal staple in 2024 – although with even greater emphasis on literal ‘ballet’ features, such as straps and bows. It is the year of the coquette, after all.
(L to R) Mfpen AW24 (James Cochrane), Molly Goddard AW24, Simone Rocha AW24, Emilia Wickstead AW24
10. Toe Cut-Outs
Ready to get your toes on show? You might have to, if you want to be on trend in 2024. Open and peep-toe shoes are stepping into the spotlight in a big way, as designers look to elevate classic footwear styles with cheeky and uncharacteristic cut-outs. We’re talking chopped up brogues, extended sock boots with open toes, sandal-boot mash-ups and pointed heels that extend beyond the toeline.
Toe Cut-Outs | APUJAN SS24, Versace SS24, Gestuz SS24 (photo: James Cochrane), FROLOV SS24
11. Biker Boots
Cowboy boots might be riding off into the sunset, but bikers are quickly speeding in to take their place as a leading shoe trend in 2024. A slightly bulkier design than the cowboy, biker boots come with a flatter sole and unstructured design – usually black – and covered in buckles. While the two boot styles remain fairly popular, we’re also seeing some amalgamation of the two, with minimally designed, goth glam boots.
Biker Boots | GANNI SS24, Sunflowers SS24, Gestuz SS24 (photos: James Cochrane)
12. Rounded Toes
As for shapes, expect to see shoe trends become more circular (literally) in 2024. Kitten heels may call on the pointed toe for their signature silhouette, but the runway has been signalling a shift towards rounder shapes around the toes. From mules and heels to ballet flats, expect a more academia-led rounded feel shaping the future of footwear.
Rounded Toes | Valentino SS24, Stella McCartney SS24, Mark Kenly Domina Tan SS24 (photo: James Cochrane), Chanel 2023/24
13. Platforms
And finally, the last shoe trend we see being big in 2024 is the humble platform – the only added height proving popular amongst footwear fans. ‘Even though platform shoes have never really gone out of fashion, they have recently been overshadowed by the reemergence of ballet pumps in street style,’ muses Amy. ‘It appears as though all kinds of shoes may be given platforms next year, as shown by models appearing in platform loafers, sandals and boots.’
Platforms | Molly Goddard SS24, Paul Costelloe SS24, Philipp Plein SS24, Simone Rocha SS24 (photo: Daniel Sims)
Featured image: Munthe SS24 Backstage (photo: Bryndis Thorsteinsdottir)
