I don’t know about you but I get really excited about autumn shoe trends. Perhaps it’s because they have a sort of back-to-school sheen to them, even if you left quite some time ago, or it’s just a welcome change from wearing sandals. Or maybe it’s because autumn is easily the best season out there (don’t @ me, it really is). For 2021, there’s an abundance of autumn shoe trends that are worth getting hyped up about, which are perfect for the coming cooler weather. But what I love the most is that there are some fun trends that we haven’t seen for a while that are guaranteed to please plenty of fashion people.
After looking through all the runway collections for autumn/winter 2021, I’ve identified 12 trends that are key for this season. There are some classic practical boots that will easily work for right now and for years to come. But then there are the more adventurous styles (yes, platform boots, I’m looking at you), as well as the more trend-led looks, such as the socks-and-sandals combo, that I can’t wait to wear. Keep scrolling to see the biggest autumn shoe trends for the season and shop the looks too.
Nostalgia, in many ways, has been the biggest trend of the past 18 months (hello, escapism and thinking about our lives ‘before’). And no other trend has made me quite as sentimental as the school shoes look that proliferated across the runways for this season. From Mary Jane style flats at Emporio Armani to chunky and platform loafers at Loewe and Bally, respectively, all are best worn with thick socks.
While practicality ruled in 2020, this year flamboyance is creeping back into our lives. Knee and over-the-knee boots are in practically every brand’s new season looks but Balenciaga is absolutely leading the pack with Demna Gvasalia silver buckled versions being a stand-out pair. For a touch of sass, look to David Koma, for pared-back head to Fendi and for shearling-lined, you only need Acne.
Another one to bookmark if you’re tired of the minimalist aesthetic. Saturated hues are making a comeback this season and shoes haven’t been left out. Whether it’s courts at Balmain, mules at Bottega Veneta or boots at Chanel, plenty of fashion houses have us wanting to don a pair of brightly-coloured shoes to give our outfits some life this season.
Y2K continues to dominate when it comes to trends and the pointed shoe is one that’s coming back. While I may have initially been hesitant, as I experienced this trend the first time around, I’m swayed by the chic flats at both Saint Lauren and Valentino and the uber-cool boots at Tom Ford. The jury’s still out on the pointed sneakers at Marni, however.
Barely an A/W season goes by without some form of cowboy boot featuring on the runways. This year, it’s back-to-basics with classic cowboys taking centre stage. Look to Isabel Marant’s consistently cool versions or Celine’s black with silver caps for a pair that will last you years.
The trend that refuses to die is the lug sole. This boot is popular for an obvious reason: it is practical while also being stylish, which is truly the fashion holy grail. Personally, my favourite this season come from Ganni, with its Kermit green versions. But if that’s too out there, then Stella McCartney’s more sedate pine green boots might be what you’re looking for.
All hail platform boots, which have come to rescue us from the mundanity of anything safe or subtle. In sparkly lilac at Stella McCartney, pillar box red at Givenchy or in dominatrix black at Versace, these are the shoes we want to party in for 2021.
Shearling can lend itself to being both practical and impractical. Practical because it’s warm, so great for winter but impractical because it can get dirty very quickly. Whichever side you fall on the shearling debate, know this: it’s big for A/W 2021. Whether at Miu Miu and Chanel in moon-boot form, or lining slippers at Rejina Pyo and Altuzarra, you’re sure to have toasty feet if you opt for this trend.
Not into platforms but want a party shoe for 2021? Look no further than heels with an ankle strap. These delicate styles were seen in white at 3.1 Phillip Lim, a barely-there red at Halpern and wrapped around at Christian Siriano.
When it comes to details, it’s all about buckles for A/W ’21. Featured on over-the-knee boots at Balenciaga, mules at Bally, sandals at Maryam Nassir Zadeh and ankle boots at Gucci, this is the easiest way to keep your look very 2021.
The riche-est look of all comes in the form of cream shoes this season. Jil Sander’s boots were styled with a head-to-toe off-white outfit, as were the pointed boots at Khaite and Christian Siriano. Just maybe skip the red wine on your cream shoe days.
The final trend comes in the form of socks-and-sandals. As someone who has long advocated for this look, I’m thrilled. The main thing to note about this is with any kind of sandal going—not just Birkenstocks or flat versions. At Acne, open-weave socks were worn with strappy black sandals, at Rejina Pyo it was printed socks with pink mules and at Chloe there were thick, wool socks with flat buckled sandals.
Next up, the biggest autumn/winter 2021 fashion trends to know.
