Fall-Winter 2026-2027 shoes: the trends (and the styles you really need)

Every season, the runways present all kinds of styles, but in store, we can see which shoes our customers actually end up wearing. The good news for the coming cold season is that comfortable, wearable styles are in charge—the ones you buy once and wear for years. Here’s what’s worth having, without chasing trends that last a week.

1. The loafer takes center stage again (chunky styles are best)

The loafer is the shoe of the season: wear it with jeans, a skirt or office trousers. The most popular version is the chunky style, with a high, substantial sole that adds a few centimeters and keeps out the cold. Classic penny loafers with tassels or a horsebit remain a great option for those who prefer a cleaner look. Leather loafers stretch slightly with wear, so if you’re between sizes, the smaller size will fit well once they break in. Find them all in our women’s loafers and men’s loafers.

2. Combat boots and boots: the return of character

When the cold sets in, combat boots return, and there’s one name that stands out: Dr. Martens, from the timeless 1460s to the Jadon platforms. They’re the shoes that add an edge to a soft outfit — a floral dress, a long coat — and last a lifetime. They need a little breaking in at first, then they become incredibly comfortable. Discover them in the Dr. Martens women’s collection.

3. The cowboy boot is here to stay

The cowboy boot is now a modern classic: in suede or leather, with a low heel and pointed toe, it looks great with jeans and flowing dresses. It’s the boot that pulls your look together for the day without a second thought. Find the season’s styles among our women’s boots and ankle boots.

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The boots of the season

Dr. MartensCombat boots 1460 SmoothTIMBERLANDTimberland Stone Street 6-Inch Waterproof Women's Boot with PlTIMBERLANDBoots Stone Street Mid Warm LinedMoon BootCity Shearling Mid Boots Women's Suede Snow BootsCoccinelleCoccinelle Boots Women's Leather Boots with ZipCoccinelleBoots Coccinelle Leather Boots with Harness DetailCHIE MIHARAWomen's Chie Mihara Volkyria Leather Ankle BootsTIMBERLANDWomen’s Timberland Stone Street Mid Platform Boot

4. Ballet flats, but with socks

The ballet flat is back, often worn with visible socks — a look younger women love that also gives a serious outfit a more youthful feel. Pointed styles elongate the leg, while round-toe styles with a bow are the sweetest. It’s the most feminine flat for days when heels aren’t an option: browse our women’s ballet flats.

5. UGG and shearling: comfort without the guilt

As soon as the cold weather arrives, UGG shearling boots are back among our bestsellers: from the Classic to the Ultra Mini, from the Tazz with a platform to the Tasman. They’re no longer “just for home”: paired with jeans and thick socks, they’ve become a style staple in their own right. And there’s no question about how warm shearling is. Find them in our UGG for women collection — and if you already own a pair, read our guide on how to clean them without damaging them.

6. Boots: which style is really worth choosing

From September onward, “boots” is the word we hear most often, but it covers many different styles. Here’s how we distinguish them in store, from the easiest to wear to the most demanding.

The ankle boot is the workhorse: it reaches the ankle, works with jeans as well as a skirt, and a four- or five-centimeter block heel will take you through the whole day without you noticing it. If you’re buying just one pair, make it this one. Find them among our women’s ankle boots, from suede styles with block heels to leather platform styles.

The Chelsea boot has no laces: two elastic side panels, and it slips on in three seconds. We recommend it for anyone who gets dressed in a hurry in the morning and anyone with a high instep, because the elastic gives where laces would pinch. This year, it almost always comes on a platform sole, which adds a few centimeters of height and makes it less formal.

L has already been mentioned for its character, but it also works as a practical shoe: lug sole, grip on wet ground, and a very long lifespan. Dr. Martens 1460s remain the benchmark; yellow nubuck Timberland 6-Inch boots are the warmer, waterproof alternative. Both need a few weeks to break in: that’s normal, not a fit issue.

Après-ski boots are essential when it’s really cold, and they’re no compromise: Moon Boot are now a design classic worn in the city as well as on the slopes. If you’re heading to the mountains, they’re the only boots on this list that can really handle it.

The knee-high boot, slim and close-fitting, is the shape the runways have pushed most this year. It’s also the style we’re most honest about: in-store, demand is still for ankle boots, so we only keep a few pairs at a time. If that’s what you’re looking for, message us before ordering and we’ll tell you what we actually have at that moment. The rest of the selection is in women’s boots, while styles with a long shaft are in women’s tall boots.

7. Sneakers, the foundation for everything else

None of these six types replace sneakers: they complement them. And here too, the season has a clear direction, summed up in two words — suede and low profile. The bulky silhouette of recent years has given way to low, slim terrace styles, and suede has replaced smooth leather in almost all the new versions.

We have a strong selection of adidas Originals — Samba, Handball Spezial, Gazelle — while Premiata takes a more tailored approach and ON covers the technical side, for those who really walk. L'he other trend to move beyond the niche is animal print: cow, leopard, and pony hair are no longer unusual on an everyday sneaker.

The full discussion, model by model, is in the fall-winter sneakers guide. Suffice it to say that if you were to buy just one pair this season and walk a lot, this is probably the one.

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The sneakers we're talking about

Adidas OriginalsShoes adidas Stan SmithRHUNRhun Sneakers 2020 Fluffy in DenimAMA brandAMA Brand Slam 4744 Leather SneakerRHUNRhun Sneakers 2019 in Grain LeatherCasadeiSneakers Lace-Up Wedge Suede CasadeiAdidas OriginalsSneakers adidas Originals Samba OG in SuedeSauconySneakers Saucony ProGrid Guide 7Adidas Originalsadidas Handball Spezial suede sneakers

How to choose (the boutique’s advice)

If we had to recommend two pairs to invest in this season, they would be a chunky loafer (the shoe you’ll wear most, from the office to the weekend) and a combat boot or ankle boot with a block heel (to add character to autumn’s relaxed looks and cover the days when loafers won’t do). With these two, plus a pair of UGG for cold days, your seasonal wardrobe is already sorted. The rest is a matter of personal taste. Explore our full selection of women’s shoes and men’s shoes from an authorized retailer.

For men, the question we hear most often isn't about style, but performance: what holds up in the rain, in dry cold, and through a day at the office. L've covered it in detail in our guide to men's winter shoes.

For boots, the biggest category of the cold season, we’ve written a separate guide: fall-winter boot guide.

A shoe is only visible if your trouser length lets it show, and that’s where more purchases go wrong than in choosing the style. Where the hem should fall with ankle boots and lace-up shoes is explained in the seasonal trouser guide.

Frequently asked questions

Which shoes are in style for fall-winter 2026-2027? The key styles are chunky loafers, lace-up boots (such as Dr. Martens), cowboy boots, ballet flats worn with socks, and sheepskin UGG. These are comfortable, wearable styles rather than runway shoes.

What is the most versatile shoe of the season? The chunky loafer: it pairs with jeans, skirts and tailored trousers, works from day to night and keeps out the cold thanks to its thick sole.

Can you wear UGG outside? Yes. Today, sheepskin UGG, from Classic styles to Tazz platforms, are worn with jeans and thick socks as stylish shoes, not just around the house.

How do you choose lace-up boots for the first time? Leather lace-up boots need a few weeks to break in as the leather softens. Choose your usual size (or size down if the style doesn’t come in half sizes) and wear them gradually at first. For foolproof styling, also read the colors of fall-winter 2026-2027 and how to style them. For the right size and breaking them in, see the Dr. Martens size guide.

Which boots are in style for winter 2026-2027? Ankle boots remain the most sought-after style, followed by Chelsea boots with platform soles and lace-up boots. Knee-high fitted boots dominate the runways, but in everyday life, ankle boots are the most popular.

What are the most comfortable boots for everyday wear? Ankle boots with a four- or five-centimeter block heel: they give you just enough height, distribute your weight and stay comfortable for hours. Chelsea boots are the second most comfortable option, especially if you have a high instep.

If you’re looking for lace-up boots, the women’s lace-up boots we currently have — Dr. Martens, platform soles and lace-free styles — are on a separate page.

If you're putting together your seasonal wardrobe, the piece that completes the picture is our guide to Fall-Winter 2026-2027 bags: soft shapes, suede and brown taking the place of black.

For an overview of the season — fabrics, colors and silhouettes — see our general guide to Fall-Winter 2026-2027 fashion trends.

Above the shoes comes everything else: if you're refreshing your seasonal wardrobe, the knitwear guide explains how to read a sweater's label and what really changes between pure and blended cashmere.

For outerwear — coats, down jackets, parkas or bombers — there's a guide of its own: how to choose by reading about the insulation and membrane.