5 Fall Shoe Trends You Can Start Wearing Now

It’s been quite an Americana summer, with trends such as coastal-inspired fashion and Western wear popular in both city streets and suburban neighborhoods. No one did a double-take this year when spotting cutoff denim shorts paired with cowboy boots, or a Western-style dress with ballet flats.

And even though the warmer months are coming to a close in many places, country-inspired fashion isn’t taking a break anytime soon. In fact, it’s being  updated for fall. This coming season, shoe trends are all about updating classic styles with a bit of edge. Ballet flats will look slightly different and cover more of the foot (called a glove flat), oxford loafers will get a face lift (or just a literal lift), and boots from designers such as Coach and Miu Miu are extra slouchy and loose on the calf. Classic dark fall colors also rule: The fall/winter 2024 runways were filled with dark greens, browns, blacks, and oxblood shades. 

Below are five top shoe trends we’re loving, so you can start shopping for fall now. 

Slouchy Boots

The fall/winter 2024 runways showed slouchy boot styles that feel fresh and new. These specific slouchy boots are not like the ones we all wore in the early 2000s, which typically featured a high heel and a lot of suede. This year’s style is more of a leather combat boot with a loose, relaxed fit in the shaft, complete with a flat heel. They’re effortlessly cool and a lot more comfortable. 

Shop the trend: 

• Coach Tara Biker Boot 
• Dr. Martens Anistone Hi Leather Biker Boots
• Valentino Garavani VLOGO Signature Engineer Boot

Over-The-Knee Boots 

Americana-inspired looks for fall are all about plaids, earthy tones, and a mix of masculine and feminine accessories. Adding a tall boot to the look adds to the charm. Designers such as Bally debuted sky-high boots that go over jeans and under skirts and extend far beyond the knee. Can you spot where the shoe ends and your actual outfit begins? No? That’s part of the point. 

Shop the trend: 

• Vivaia Round-Toe Water-Repellent Wool Over-the-Knee Boots
• Kelsi Dagger Brooklyn Logan Over-The-Knee Boots
• Tuckernuck Exclusive Camel Suede Waterproof Velma Boots

New Ballet Flats 

Ballet flats have made a comeback in recent years, and they’re definitely not the ones we were rocking in the early 2000s. For this fall, ballet flats come in mesh or leather and extend over the top of the foot. This silhouette is called a glove flat, and was seen on the Marni and Bevza runways. It’s a perfect way to rock the ballet trend for work, or for when temperatures get a little too chilly to have your whole foot exposed. 

Shop the trend: 

• Reformation Britt Ballet Flats
• Raye Colette Flat
• Jeffrey Campbell Evermore Jewelry Flats

Updated Loafers

Thanks to the “office siren” trend on social media, women are rethinking their work wardrobes. The look is all about having fun with your office attire while still remaining professional. Think: chunky jewelry, fitted pencil skirts, ’90s turtlenecks, and a bold red lip. Brands including Gucci and Victoria Beckham are hawking a heeled loafer, too, though any take on the style will be “in” for fall.

Shop the trend: 

• Duke + Dexter Wilde Bow Penny Loafer
• G.H. Bass Womens Marion Buckle Weejuns Loafer
• Ganni Black Cleated Naplack Loafers

Exposed-Ankle Mules

Brands such as Dries Van Noten have been putting a unique spin on the mule for decades, but for fall 2024, the exposed ankle paired with a heeled silhouette was all over the runways. You can wear this style with a slim trouser, pencil skirt, or full-length skirt and it’ll feel fresh and new. This shoe might not be practical for walking through a city, but it’s the perfect pair to keep under your desk and easily slip on after a long commute. 

Shop the trend: 

• 3.1 Phillip Lim Downtown Mules
• Staud Women's Wally Mid Heel Mules
• Tory Burch Pierced Mule