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

Every season, the runways showcase everything, but in-store we can clearly see which shoes customers actually end up wearing. The good news for the coming cold season is that comfortable, wearable styles are taking centre stage - the kind you buy once and wear for years. Here's what is worth having, without chasing trends that last a week.

1. The loafer takes centre stage again (especially if it's chunky)

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 centimetres and keeps you well protected from the cold. Classic loafers with tassels or a horsebit remain popular too, for those who prefer a cleaner line. Leather stretches slightly with wear, so if you're between two sizes, the smaller one will mould to your foot nicely. Find them all in women's loafers and men's loafers.

2. Combat boots and boots: character returns

When the cold weather arrives, combat boots return, and there's one clear reference point: Dr. Martens, from the timeless 1460 to the platform Jadon. They're the shoes that add edge to a soft outfit - a floral dress, a long coat - and they last a lifetime. They require a little breaking in at first, then become incredibly comfortable. Find them in the women's Dr. Martens collection.

3. The Texan boot isn't going anywhere

The Texan boot is now a modern classic: in suede or leather, with a low heel and tapered toe, it looks great with jeans and fluid dresses. It's the boot that pulls your daytime look together effortlessly. Find the season's styles among the women's boots and ankle boots.

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The season's boots

Dr. Martens1460 Smooth combat bootsTIMBERLANDTimberland women's Stone Street Mid boots with platform soleTIMBERLANDStone Street Mid Warm Lined bootsASHASH Flare ankle boots in dark suede with medium heelASHFAME women's suede ankle boots with 5 cm heelUggUGG Classic Mini Heritage suede and shearling bootsASHASH Hasley ankle boots with studded detailsASHASH Flame Lily Moto Bootie leather ankle boots with buckles

4. The ballet flat, but with socks

The ballet flat is back, often worn with a visible sock — a styling choice younger women love that also freshens up a serious look. Pointed versions elongate the leg, while round-toe styles with a bow are the sweetest. It is the most feminine flat shoe for days when heels are not an option: browse the women's ballet flats.

5. UGG and shearling: comfort without the guilt

As soon as the cold arrives, shearling UGG boots are once again among the most requested: from the Classic to the Ultra Mini, from the platform Tazz to the Tasman. They are no longer "just for home": paired with jeans and thick socks, they have become a fully-fledged style staple. The warmth of shearling is also beyond question. Find them in women's UGG — and if you already have a pair, read our guide on how to clean them without damaging them.

6. Boots: which shape is really worth choosing

From September onwards, "boots" is the word we hear most often, but it covers very different shapes. Here's how we distinguish them in store, from the easiest to wear to the most demanding.

The ankle boot is the reliable all-rounder: it reaches the ankle, works with jeans as well as skirts, and on a four- or five-centimetre block heel it carries you through the entire day without making its presence felt. If you are buying just one pair, make it this one. Find them among the women's ankle boots, from suede with a block heel to leather platform styles.

The Chelsea boot has no laces: two elastic side panels and it slips on in three seconds. We recommend it to those who get dressed in a hurry in the morning and to anyone with a high instep, because the elastic gives where laces would pinch. This year, it almost always comes on a platform sole, adding a few centimetres of height and moving it away from an overly formal look.

The lace-up boot has already been mentioned for its character, but it also works as a practical shoe: lug sole, grip on wet surfaces, and an exceptionally long lifespan. Dr. Martens 1460s remain the benchmark; the yellow nubuck Timberland 6-Inch boots are the warmer, waterproof alternative. Both require a few weeks to break in: this is normal, not a fit defect.

The après-ski boot is for when it is truly cold, and it is not a fallback: Moon Boot is now a design piece worn in the city and not just on snow. If you are going to the mountains, it is the only boot on this list that genuinely holds up.

The knee-high boot, slim and close-fitting, is the shape the runways have pushed most this year. It is also the one we are most candid about: in-store, genuine demand remains focused on ankle boots, so we keep only a few pairs at a time. If that's what you're looking for, write to 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 the styles with long shafts are in women's high boots.

7. Sneakers, which remain the foundation of everything else

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

We have real depth in adidas Originals — Samba, Handball Spezial, Gazelle — while Premiata takes the more tailored approach and ON covers the technical side, for those who really walk. The other trend to move beyond the niche is animal print: cow, leopard and pony hair are no longer exceptions on everyday sneakers.

The full breakdown, model by model, is in the fall-winter sneaker guide. Here, suffice it to say that if you were to buy just one pair this season, and you walk a lot, this is likely to be it.

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The sneakers we're talking about

AMA brandAMA Brand Slam 4744 Leather SneakersSauconySaucony Jazz Original Nylon and Suede SneakersSauconySaucony ProGrid Guide 7 SneakersCasadeiCasadei Lace-Up Wedge Suede SneakersAdidas Originalsadidas Originals Samba OG Suede SneakersONCloudhorizon 2 Lightweight Hiking ShoesAdidas Originalsadidas Handball Spezial suede sneakersSauconyShadow 6000 Sneakers - Retro Running Style

How to choose (the boutique's advice)

If we had to recommend two pairs to invest in for the season, they would be a chunky loafer (the shoe you will wear most, from the office to the weekend) and a combat boot or a block-heeled ankle boot (to add character to soft autumn looks and save the days when loafers are not enough). With these two, plus a pair of UGGs for cold days, your seasonal wardrobe is already sorted. The rest is personal taste. Explore our full selection in women's shoes and men's shoes, from an authorized retailer.

As for boots, the biggest chapter of the cold season, we have written a separate guide: autumn-winter boot guide.

A shoe is only visible if the length of the trousers allows it to show, and this is where more purchases go wrong than in choosing the style. Where the hem should end with ankle boots and lace-ups is explained in the season's trouser guide.

Frequently asked questions

Which shoes are in fashion for autumn-winter 2026-2027? The key styles are chunky loafers, combat boots (such as Dr. Martens), Western boots, ballet flats worn with socks and sheepskin UGGs. They are comfortable, wearable styles rather than runway shoes.

What is the most versatile shoe of the season? Chunky loafers: pair them with jeans, skirts and tailored trousers, wear them from day to evening, and rely on their chunky soles to keep you warm in cold weather.

Can UGGs be worn outside the home? Yes. Today, sheepskin UGGs, from the Classic to the platform Tazz, are worn with jeans and thick socks as a true style statement, not just at home.

How do you choose combat boots for the first time? Leather combat boots require a break-in period of a few weeks as the leather softens. Choose your usual size (or go down one size if the style is not available in half sizes) and wear them gradually at first. For effortless styling, also read the colors of autumn-winter 2026-2027 and how to style them. For the right size and break-in period, see the Dr. Martens size guide.

Which boots are worn in winter 2026-2027? The ankle boot remains the most requested style, followed by the Chelsea boot with a platform sole and the combat boot. On the runways, tall fitted boots dominate, but in everyday life, demand centres on ankle boots.

What is the most comfortable boot for everyday wear? The ankle boot with a four- or five-centimetre block heel: it gives you just enough height, distributes your weight and can be worn for hours. The Chelsea boot is the second-most comfortable, especially if you have a high instep.

If you're putting together your seasonal wardrobe, the piece that completes the picture is the guide to autumn-winter 2026-2027 bags: soft shapes, suede and brown replacing black.

For an overview of the season - materials, colours and volumes - the general guide is autumn-winter 2026-2027 fashion trends.

The rest comes after the shoes: if you're rebuilding your seasonal wardrobe, the knitwear guide explains how to read a sweater's label and what really changes between pure and blended cashmere.

Outerwear - coat, puffer, parka or bomber - has its own guide: how to choose it by reading the filling and membrane.