Honestly, we should have seen this coming the second Law Roach started whispering about "deep cherry" tones months ago. But when Zendaya stepped out in New York City last October to support Tom Holland’s Bero launch, the internet didn't just notice—it basically short-circuited. She wasn't just wearing a dress. She was wearing a custom, floor-length burgundy leather Louis Vuitton gown that looked like it was poured onto her. But the real kicker? The shoes.
They weren't some random off-the-shelf pair. They were her signature Christian Louboutin So Kate pumps, perfectly color-matched to that exact shade of oxblood. That moment solidified the Zendaya burgundy shoes trend as the definitive fashion vibe for 2025 and moving into 2026.
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It’s a mood. It's moody, expensive-looking, and weirdly versatile.
Why Burgundy is Killing the Traditional Red Trend
For a long time, "cherry red" was the girl. We saw it everywhere on TikTok—red tights, red bows, red everything. But burgundy? Burgundy is the grown-up version. It’s got these deep brown and purple undertones that make it look like "quiet luxury" but with actual personality.
Zendaya’s choice to stick with the So Kate silhouette is a power move. Her stylist, Law Roach, has famously said she’s been wearing these 120mm (that’s nearly 5 inches, by the way) stilettos since she was 14. They are notoriously painful. Like, "I can’t feel my toes" painful. But on the red carpet, they create a line that makes her look ten feet tall.
When you see that flash of the red Louboutin sole against a burgundy upper? It’s meta. Red on red-ish. It works because burgundy acts as a "new neutral." It doesn't scream for attention like a bright scarlet, but it definitely doesn't disappear like a black pump.
The Casual Side: The Row and the Tabi Factor
If you think this is just about six-inch heels, you're missing the best part of how she actually dresses off the clock. Zendaya is a fan of the "ugly-chic" shoe.
Take April 2025, for example. She was spotted at the School of Style event wearing The Row’s square-toe leather ballet flats in—you guessed it—deep burgundy. She paired them with cream slacks from Guest In Residence (Gigi Hadid’s brand). It was the perfect "pop of color" that wasn't actually a bright color.
- The Brand: The Row (Olsen twins' label, very pricey, very minimalist).
- The Style: Flat, square-toed, almost clinical.
- The Vibe: "I'm incredibly rich but I also value my arches."
She’s also been known to rock the Maison Margiela Tabi in similar wine-dark shades. Those are the split-toe shoes that look like goat hooves to the uninitiated but are basically a secret handshake for fashion nerds. By wearing burgundy in these polarizing shapes, she’s proving the color can handle "weird" just as well as it handles "glam."
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How to Wear the Zendaya Burgundy Shoes Trend Without Falling Over
Look, most of us aren't Zendaya. We don't have a private car waiting ten feet away, and we definitely don't have Law Roach checking our hemlines. If you want to jump on the burgundy footwear train, you've got to be strategic.
1. The "Sandwich" Method
Zendaya did this perfectly at the Bero event. She had a burgundy dress and burgundy shoes. If you're wearing burgundy loafers or flats, try wearing a burgundy sweater or even just a lip color in the same family. It "sandwiches" the outfit and makes it look intentional rather than like you just grabbed the only clean shoes you had.
2. Texture Overload
Burgundy looks its best when the material is interesting. Think patent leather, suede, or even velvet. A matte burgundy shoe can sometimes look a bit "office wear from 2005," but a patent leather burgundy slingback (like the ones Miu Miu and Saint Laurent are pushing right now) looks incredibly current.
3. Denim is Your Best Friend
High-waisted, dark-wash denim with a burgundy pointed-toe boot is a top-tier combination. It’s less harsh than black and more sophisticated than brown. It’s that "I tried, but not too hard" aesthetic.
The On Running Collaboration: Burgundy Goes Tech
We can't talk about her shoes without mentioning her massive partnership with On, the Swiss sportswear brand. In late 2025, she dropped the Cloudzone Moon sneaker. While the primary colors were neutrals, the "Be Every You" campaign heavily leaned into those autumnal, deep red accents that she’s been championing.
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It shows that the trend isn't just for evening wear. It’s moving into performance gear and "gorpcore" (that outdoorsy, functional style). Seeing a tech-heavy running shoe with burgundy hits feels fresh because it breaks the "bright neon" rule of gym clothes.
Where to Actually Buy the Look
If you don't have a Louis Vuitton or Louboutin budget, don't sweat it. The high street is currently obsessed with this.
- Mango and Zara: They’ve both released "Bordeaux" pumps that mimic the So Kate silhouette but with a much more manageable 80mm heel.
- Adidas: Keep an eye out for Gazelles or Sambas in the "Collegiate Burgundy" colorway. They sell out fast because they give that same Zendaya-off-duty energy.
- Reformaton: Their "Agathea" loafer often comes in a gorgeous black cherry leather that’s perfect for the office.
Is This Trend Going to Last?
Fashion is fickle, obviously. But burgundy is one of those "cyclical" colors. It comes back every few years, but right now, it’s peaking because of the move away from "Barbiecore" pinks and bright "Brat" greens. We’re in a period of moody, grounded colors.
Zendaya didn't invent burgundy, but she gave it a specific kind of modern armor. By wearing it in tough materials like leather and pairing it with sharp, aggressive silhouettes, she moved it away from "grandma's closet" and into "it-girl staple."
If you're going to invest in one pair of shoes this season, skip the white sneakers for once. Go for the oxblood, the maroon, the merlot—whatever you want to call it. Just make sure the toe is sharp and the confidence is high.
Next steps for your wardrobe:
Start by auditing your neutrals. If you usually reach for black boots with your jeans, swap them for a burgundy leather pair. The contrast with blue denim is much softer and looks significantly more expensive. If you're feeling bold, try a monochromatic look—pair a burgundy skirt with matching tights and shoes. It creates a continuous vertical line that mimics that "column" effect Zendaya uses to dominate every room she walks into.