Walk through Soho or scroll through your feed for five minutes and you’ll see it. The vibe has shifted. Hard. For years, we were trapped in this cycle of "look good, suffer later," cramming our feet into narrow loafers or those sky-high stilettos that make your calves scream. Not anymore. Honestly, the current mood is less about "fashion is pain" and way more about "I might need to sprint for a bus at any moment." If you’re wondering what shoes are in style, the short answer is anything that looks like it belongs on a 1990s geography teacher or a professional marathoner.
It’s weird. It’s clunky. But it’s also the most practical footwear era we’ve seen in decades.
The Death of the "Minimalist" Sneaker
Remember the Common Projects era? Those ultra-slim, white leather sneakers that cost $400 and felt like walking on a piece of cardboard? They’re basically ghosts now. If your shoes don't have some "meat" on them, you're behind the curve. We’ve traded slim silhouettes for maximum cushioning and aggressive outsoles.
Take New Balance, for example. Specifically the 9060 or the 2002R. A few years ago, these were "dad shoes" you’d find in the clearance bin at a suburban mall. Now? They’re the gold standard. Why? Because the "gorpcore" movement—think hiking gear but for people who only walk on pavement—is still dominating everything. People want tech. They want ABZORB midsoles and N-ergy cushioning. They want to feel like they’re walking on a cloud made of high-grade synthetic foam.
It isn't just about comfort, though. It’s an aesthetic rebellion. In a world that feels increasingly digital and polished, there’s something grounding about a chunky, "ugly" shoe. It’s tactile. It has texture. Brand like Salomon have exploded because their XT-6 model looks like a piece of industrial equipment. It’s got Quicklace systems and Sensifit cradling. Do you need all that to go to a coffee shop? No. Does it look cool? Absolutely.
The Rise of the "Grandpa" Aesthetic
We have to talk about the loafers. But not the dainty ones. We’re talking beefy, lug-sole loafers. Think Dr. Martens Adrian or the Prada Monolith. This is the "Light Academia" look meeting "90s Grunge." You’ve got people wearing these with white crew socks—a move that would have been a fashion crime in 2015—and oversized pleated trousers.
It works because it bridges the gap between formal and "I don't care." You can wear a pair of chunky Blackstock & Weber loafers to a wedding or to get groceries. That versatility is exactly why they’ve stuck around.
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What Shoes Are In Style When You Actually Need to Dress Up?
Okay, so you can't wear a trail runner to every event. When the occasion calls for something sleeker, the "Kitten Heel" has made a massive comeback. It’s a relief, honestly. We’re seeing brands like Miu Miu and Prada lead the charge with pointed toes and tiny, manageable heels.
It’s a very 1990s office-siren look. It’s sharp. It’s professional. But you don't need a podiatrist on speed dial after wearing them for three hours.
- Pointed-toe Slingbacks: These are everywhere. They add a bit of "edge" to a basic pair of jeans.
- The "Biker" Boot: Heavy buckles, square toes, and distressed leather. This is the influence of brands like Balenciaga and Miu Miu trickling down. It’s a tough look that balances out a soft, flowy dress perfectly.
- Mary Janes: But make them weird. Think velvet fabrics, multiple straps, or metallic finishes. Sandy Liang has basically turned the Mary Jane into the "it" shoe of the 2020s.
The Sambas and Gazelles Are Still Here (Sorta)
We can't ignore the Adidas Samba. It was the shoe of 2023 and 2024. But because everyone and their mother owns a pair now, the trend is fracturing. If you want to stay ahead of what shoes are in style, you’re probably looking at the Adidas SL72 or the Gazelle Indoor. It’s the same "slim, retro indoor soccer" vibe, but with more color. Bright greens, punchy yellows, and deep burgundies are replacing the standard black-and-white.
It’s about "pop." If your outfit is boring, your shoes shouldn't be. That’s the rule now.
Why Technical Specs Actually Matter Now
People are getting smarter about their feet. You can't just sell a flat sole anymore. The "barefoot" or "minimalist" shoe movement, led by brands like Vivobarefoot, has actually influenced mainstream fashion. Even if people aren't going full "toe-shoe," they are looking for wider toe boxes.
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The industry is responding. Even Nike is leaning harder into the "Vomero 5" aesthetic—a shoe that is objectively a high-performance running shoe from the late 2000s. It has Zoom Air cushioning. It has plastic caging on the side for stability. It’s breathable. This shift toward "performance-as-fashion" means we’re finally prioritizing the anatomy of the human foot over the whims of a designer who never walks anywhere.
Expert podiatrists like Dr. Miguel Cunha have often pointed out that the flat-soled "plimsoll" shoes of the past were a nightmare for arch support. The current trend of high-stack height (thicker soles) and rocker bottoms is actually much better for people with plantar fasciitis or general foot fatigue. Fashion is finally healthy. Sorta.
The Sustainable Elephant in the Room
We have to acknowledge that "what's in style" is increasingly being dictated by materials. Allbirds might have lost some of its cool factor, but the shift toward bio-based foams and recycled knits is permanent. Veja is still the king of the "conscious" sneaker. Their V-10 and V-12 models use wild rubber from the Amazon and recycled polyester. They’re a bit stiff at first—honestly, they take forever to break in—but they are the "safe" choice for anyone who wants to look stylish without feeling like they’re destroying the planet.
Breaking Down the "New Prep"
If you look at what's happening in the "Prep" world, it’s all about the Wallabee. The Clarks Wallabee is a strange shoe. It’s moccasin-stitched. It has a crepe sole that picks up every bit of dirt on the sidewalk. But it’s iconic.
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It represents a move away from the "Hypebeast" era. People are tired of chasing the latest limited-edition drop that costs $2,000 on StockX. They want "heritage." They want things that have been around for 50 years. This explains why Birkenstock is currently a multi-billion dollar juggernaut. The Boston Clog is basically the unofficial uniform of every creative person in Brooklyn and East London.
It’s cozy. It’s easy. It’s ugly-cool.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Purchase
Don't just buy what’s on a "Hot List." Buying shoes is expensive, and buying the wrong ones is a waste of space. Here is how to actually navigate the current market:
- Audit Your Closet First: Do you wear mostly wide-leg trousers? You need a shoe with some "heft" (like a lug-sole loafer or a chunky sneaker) so the fabric doesn't swallow your feet. If you wear straight-leg or slim pants, look at the retro-runners like the Adidas SL72 or the Nike Cortez.
- Prioritize the Midsole: If you’re buying sneakers for daily wear, check for tech. Look for "EVA foam," "Polyurethane," or "Zoom Air." If the sole is just a flat piece of rubber, your back will hate you by 4:00 PM.
- Go Up Half a Size: Many of the current "it" shoes (especially New Balance and Salomon) run a bit small or narrow. Always check the "true to size" ratings on sites like Goat or Hypebeast before dropping $150.
- The "Two-Year" Rule: Ask yourself if the shoe is too "trendy." Those giant red boots from MSCHF? Dead in two months. A pair of Boston Clogs or New Balance 990s? They’ve been cool for decades and will be cool for decades more.
Invest in the "ugly" stuff. Your feet will thank you, and honestly, you’ll look a lot more like you know what you’re doing than if you were still wearing those tiny, painful loafers from 2014. Style is currently leaning into comfort, utility, and heritage. Embrace it while it lasts.