I'll admit, this phase of everyone trading in their heels for ballet flats, loafers, and retro, viral sneakers has been fun, especially for my feet, both of which are far too used to being squished, squeezed, and smushed into heels and then forced to walk on concrete for miles on end. But, while my feet and I have appreciated the break from elevated footwear, we've come to the mutual decision after studying fall's curation of heels that the time for all flats all the time is over.
From timeless styles like sling-backs and kitten-heel pumps to more experimental alternatives like fur-trimmed sandals and studded mules, the industry's top shoe designers simply provided one too many covetable choices for anyone to simply ignore in the name of comfort. For proof, scroll through the six heels trends below, all of which I'd gladly sacrifice a touch of flats-induced bliss for (emphasis on the word touch, since even a heels lover like me won't put up with that much pain for fashion). My guess? After one swipe, your flats will be on a one-way trip to the storage unit.
Look around, most of the heels you're seeing on Instagram, celebrities, runways, and more feature one dainty detail: a strap that loops around the back of the foot, nestling it into place. And the best is yet to come, with fall's sling-back options being among the chicest we've seen in years. From Saint Laurent's sky-high, gold-buckled style to Gucci's kitten-heeled take paired with bold stockings, today's top designers are making one thing clear: In 2023, it's all about sling-backs.
If Prada's fall collection taught us anything, it's the eternal chicness of dressing like a lady, all the way down to the shoes on your feet, which should always feature a pointed toe, a kitten heel, and, if you're lucky, a pretty bouquet of Italian-crafted white flowers. But actually, it seems that some of the chicest heels of the season aren't the super tall ones or the ones in the brightest colors. A pretty pair of pumps, rather, appear to be ruling the game.
People fear satin like they do suede, but with the right upkeep, there's really no reason to fear the lavish, decadent fabric in the form of footwear. And that's a good thing given how tempting this fall's satin-y shoe options are shaping up to be, with elegant options by Ferragamo, Miu Miu, and Gucci, more.
Believe it or not, a furry sandal are having a serious moment. Yes, they might look weird at first, but once you slip your feet into a pair and look in the mirror, you can't know just how game-changing of a shoe a fuzzy one can be. Just look to Sportmax, Khaite, Gucci, and more of 2023's hottest brands for proof that you should give the sandal version of your favorite UGG boots a go this season.
More buckles, please! Now that Miu Miu's quad-buckled sling-backs have gone completely viral on Instagram, any questions about the buckled-up shoe trend's longevity have been dispelled. Rather, I'm expecting a long and happy life for this exciting new footwear trend.
If you fell as hard as I did for Alaïa and Tory Burch's studded ballet flats but are equally as ready to hang up your anti-heels for something a tad more elevated, look no further than A.W.A.K.E. Mode and Lanvin's embellished heel selection for fall. Featuring all of the cool, edgy style of the aforementioned flats with a hell of a lot more lift, studded heels like the ones showcased in both brands' fall shows are just what you've been searching for.
