10 Shoe Trends to Step Up Your Style in 2026: Wedge Sneakers, Flip Flops, Lace-Up Ballet Flats, & More | Teen Vogue
By Carter Sullivan
2026 is a blank canvas for the weird and the wonderful when it comes to shoe trends. We've spent so long in the depths of minimalism that the pendulum is slowly but surely pushing the boundaries of maximalism again. We're finally seeing the rise of all things whimsy! Beyond the theatrics, neutral simplicity will still have its place in the new year.
Designers let their imaginations run wild with artistic interpretations of the classics and quirky evolutions of our 2026 trend predictions. (Yes, are still taking it.) Teen Vogue gathered intel from the latest collections, industry insiders, and celebrity stylists to break down the shoe trends set to take over in 2026.
1. Sleek sneakers
While there are many out there, fitted and sleek silhouettes will be bigger in 2026 footwear, says stylist , the mind behind 's dreamy ‘fits. “The runways are already pointing toward slim, low-profile silhouettes from jazz shoe-inspired trainers to refined flats,” Ospina tells Teen Vogue, leaving plenty of opportunity to pair your footwear with playful accessories. “With designers like Miu Miu and Prada favoring ultra-thin soles and clean lines, I also expect graphic socks and tights to play a bigger role, becoming the final styling detail that makes these understated shoes feel fashion-forward,” she says. Y2K darlings and are excellent references for incorporating printed tights into your wardrobe.
adidas Originals
Black Taekwondo Sneakers
Onitsuka Tiger
Mexico 66 Sneakers
2. Slouchy boots
In 2026, slouchy boots will become the ultimate it-girl shoe. Balmain showed relaxed suede ankle boots in desert tones, gave us bedazzled slouchy cowboy boots, and McQueen models strutted the runway wearing knee-high boots ruched at the ankle. Whether you want to show some leg in the summer or layer up in the winter, they ooze chic confidence and work well across seasons.
Free People
Bridget Belt Slouch Boots
UGG
Heritage Utility Mini Boot
3. Lace-ups
Remember when made hot pink inescapable, and made everything lime green? Movies and music have always been trend indicators, so a renaissance of period-inspired shoes is on the horizon. “Between the Marie Antoinette [by] Manolo [Blahnik] collection, the costuming in or the upcoming movie, the collective consciousness has been infiltrated,” stylist and fashion commentator tells Teen Vogue.
MIISTA
Consuelo Baillerina Flat
adidas Originals
Taekwondo Mei Ballet Sneakers
4. Ultra-point toe
From Dior to Chloé, the pointy court shoe is becoming a runway mainstay. We saw studs and deep-toe cleavage at Balenciaga, lace-up flats at Schiaparelli, while Maison Margiela played with pastels, and Chanel softened the trend with its signature contrast toe. “For the 2026 season, the focus sharpens on the point—elongated, precise heels that redefine femininity through line, not volume,” says celebrity stylist who has dressed celebs like . “Marc Jacobs and McQueen, among others, both showed extremely extended pointed shoes which reminded me of the historically inspired pieces by ,” Ra adds. On the runway, designers elevated this timeless classic with pops of color and laces. Your local thrift store should have some cute vintage finds.
GANNI
Patent Leather Studded Accents Slingback Flats Women's Size: 7
Christian Louboutin
Patent Leather Pumps Women's Size: 9 | IT 39
5. Garden florals
Florals for spring are hardly groundbreaking, but brace yourself for a whole lot of flower power in footwear. Ganni and Chloé opted for pastel floral prints, while Dior went big with 3D floral designs, and Giambatisita Valli models wore slingback flats adorned with pink roses. Plus, they were featured in the latest season of . Florals were last mainstream in the early 2010s, so in 2026, we can expect the trend to return in a more antique, vintage style.
Cecilie Bahnsen
x The North Face Quilted Water Repellent Slip-On
GANNI
Multicolor Buckle Strap Ballerina Flats
6. Ballet flats
To no one's surprise, ballet flats are not going anywhere. They are a truly versatile shoe with comfort at its core. While the classic ballet flat will continue to be a crowd favorite, in 2026, expect to see more experimental styles like square toes, soft leather that hugs the outline of your toes, thick ballerina-inspired straps popularized by the likes of Miu Miu and Margiela, and the ultimate athleisure .
Puma
Speedcat Ballet Suede
Jeffrey Campbell
Dancerina Mary Jane Ballet Flat
7. Loafers
There's a preppy air to a lot of 2026's hottest shoe trends, but that doesn't mean a classic can't be a conversation starter. From patent red classics at Loewe to slipper mules at Bottega Veneta, loafers are in their fun era. They are the perfect canvas to experiment with print and texture, so go wild and always pair them with a great sock.
Coach
Penny Loafer
SoftWalk
Vista Loafer
8. Statement heels
The trends that ruled the late 2000s are making a return, so now might be the best time to raid your 2010s archive. Heels used to be ornamental works of art, but the 2026 statement heel is a tongue-in-cheek play on excess. At Vivienne Westwood, heels were decorated with pearls, plaid, and 3D flowers, while at Balmain, sandals were adorned with seashells. In addition to Miu Miu's celeb-approved , the two-tone chain-accented Mary Janes also caught our attention. But if heels aren't your thing, you can bring the same eclectic essence by wearing the boldest pair of flats you own.
Sam Edelman
Witney Feather Embellished Pump
miu miu
Denim Chain-Link Accents Slingback Pumps Women's Size: 8 | IT 38
9. Flip-flops
Known for some of 's most popular , it's no surprise that celebrity stylist predicts that flip-flops will be a staple in 2026. Flip flops were all over the spring runways. Balenciaga gave us chunky thong sandals, and Coperni featured flip-flops with transparent straps. “The , classic or otherwise, is a perfect way to either stay clean and simple but with a casual element, or they can add a random color pop of character without doing too much,” Trigg tells Teen Vogue.
Gap
Jelly Flip Flops
Tory Burch
Leather Platform Flip Flops
10. Wedge sneakers
The rise of sneaker wedges has been culminating over the last year, and 2026 is set to give it its moment, especially with 's stamp of approval. The most iconic sneaker wedge of them all is the . They're high-top shoes with a hidden wedge heel and Velcro straps instead of laces. In the early 2010s, they were seen on every model and celebrity. Now, the iconic shoe is growing in popularity again and is set to make a comeback.
Isabel Marant
Bekett Wedge Sneakers
Converse
Chuck Taylor All Star Wedge Platform
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is an editor, writer and reporter specializing in culture, current affairs, and entertainment based in London, England. She covers celebrity style and sustainability in fashion as a freelance writer at Teen Vogue. She has also worked on Emmy-winning news stories as a broadcast journalist at CNN International and ...
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