One stylist said retro-style hiking boots will be popular this fall. Edward Berthelot/Getty Images Business Insider spoke with stylists about which shoe trends are in and out this season. The experts said split-toe sneakers, animal-print styles, and retro hiking boots will be popular. However, stilettos, classic ballet flats, and shoes with chunky soles are on their way out. The cooler seasons typically mean pulling out warmer clothes and switching up your go-to pairs of shoes. To help you decide what to grab out of the closet — or keep stored away for now — Business Insider spoke with three professional stylists to share their takes on this year's fall shoe trends. Here's what they said. The split-toe sneaker is becoming more mainstream. Edward Berthelot/Getty Images As the name suggests, split-toe shoes have a divided design that separates the big toe from the others. According to Abby Young, lead stylist and CEO of Abby Young Styling, this style is getting some more attention this season. The split-toe design has been around for decades, with Maison Margiela's Tabi — seen on Bad Bunny at the 2024 Met Gala — becoming one of its most recognizable iterations. The design has shown up in boots, flats, and other styles, and Young said split toes are now becoming increasingly popular in sneakers. This fall, animal print is back. Moritz Scholz/Getty Images From classics like snake and cheetah to more adventurous patterns like tiger and dalmatian, animal print is back, according to Kendra Sharpe, stylist and founder of Kendra Sharpe Styling and Creative. "The time is now to try new prints you might have wanted to try," Sharpe said. "I think it's easier in fall because you can do a boot, you can do a loafer ... you're actually getting more material, so you can kind of incorporate that into your style a little bit more." Retro hiking boots are trending. Edward Berthelot/Getty Images Patrick Kenger, the lead personal stylist and founder of styling and image consulting company Pivot, told BI that retro-inspired, utilitarian hiking boots are starting to come back into style. Kenger said this style of boot almost looks like it's ready for winter with a lug sole and O-ring laces. Unlike more tactical hiking boots, though, the trending styles have more of a retro-inspired look. Stay comfy in slipper-style flats. Moritz Scholz/Getty Images According to Sharpe, slipper-style flat mules are having a moment. She specifically recommends satin styles, pops of color, and square toe options. The stylist said the appeal lies in the laid-back, elevated vibe. Effortlessly style your fall apparel with unstructured suede loafers. Moritz Scholz/Getty Images Kenger said he's been seeing unstructured suede loafers gain some traction lately. These loafers tend to have a softer construction, with the stylist pointing to brown suede as a particularly popular option. "They're very soft and organic-looking and pair with more natural fabrics, like flannels and other fall materials," the stylist said. On the other hand, it's time to say goodbye to shoes with chunky soles. Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images According to Sharpe, chunky-soled loafers are giving way to sleeker, lower-profile versions. "Everything that's got a platform or a chunky sole is more out, and anything lower profile and sleeker is more the way to go currently," Sharpe told BI. Kenger also said he's noticed a similar shift in sneaker styles, which are getting even slimmer. The skinny silhouette is also showing up in low-profile Chelsea boots. Statement shoes are replacing quiet luxury. Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images For a long time, quiet luxury was the way to go. But Sharpe said fashion is starting to transition to the opposite end of the spectrum. "Everyone is thinking more about statement, color, texture, print, and having a little bit more fun with their shoes," the stylist told BI. There are different ways to embrace the trend depending on how bold you want to go, Sharpe said. That could mean shoes that have feathers or sequins, or simply stepping away from neutrals by opting for a brighter color than you'd typically wear. Consider swapping out stiletto heels for sculptural designs. Edward Berthelot/Getty Images This season, Young said the typical straight stiletto heels are being replaced by more interesting shapes. The stylist told BI that heels are leaning more artistic, with options ranging from tapered cone shapes to abstract sculptural designs. "I saw a swirly gold circle heel, and then I saw a seashell of a heel," she told BI. "Just crazy, abstract types of heels." Basic ballet flats are getting an upgrade. Edward Berthelot/Getty Images Classic leather, round-toe ballet flats are giving way to less traditional versions. Instead, Young said she's seeing softer fabrics like satin, as well as sneaker-ballet hybrids that combine the low-profile shape of a flat with details like laces and scrunched heels. Sharpe has also noticed classic leather ballet flats getting updates through satin, texture, color, and Mary Jane details. Read the original article on Business Insider
One stylist said retro-style hiking boots will be popular this fall.Edward Berthelot/Getty Images Business Insider spoke with stylists about which shoe trends are in and out this season. The experts said split-toe sneakers, animal-print styles, and retro hiking boots will be popular. However, stilettos, classic ballet flats, and shoes with chunky soles are on their way out. The cooler seasons typically mean pulling out warmer clothes and switching up your go-to pairs of shoes. To help you decide what to grab out of the closet — or keep stored away for now — Business Insider spoke with three professional stylists to share their takes on this year's fall shoe trends. Here's what they said. The split-toe sneaker is becoming more mainstream. Edward Berthelot/Getty Images As the name suggests, split-toe shoes have a divided design that separates the big toe from the others. According to Abby Young, lead stylist and CEO of Abby Young Styling, this style is getting some more attention this season. The split-toe design has been around for decades, with Maison Margiela's Tabi — seen on Bad Bunny at the 2024 Met Gala — becoming one of its most recognizable iterations. The design has shown up in boots, flats, and other styles, and Young said split toes are now becoming increasingly popular in sneakers. This fall, animal print is back. Moritz Scholz/Getty Images From classics like snake and cheetah to more adventurous patterns like tiger and dalmatian, animal print is back, according to Kendra Sharpe, stylist and founder of Kendra Sharpe Styling and Creative. "The time is now to try new prints you might have wanted to try," Sharpe said. "I think it's easier in fall because you can do a boot, you can do a loafer ... you're actually getting more material, so you can kind of incorporate that into your style a little bit more." Retro hiking boots are trending. Edward Berthelot/Getty Images Patrick Kenger, the lead personal stylist and founder of styling and image consulting company Pivot, told BI that retro-inspired, utilitarian hiking boots are starting to come back into style. Kenger said this style of boot almost looks like it's ready for winter with a lug sole and O-ring laces. Unlike more tactical hiking boots, though, the trending styles have more of a retro-inspired look. Stay comfy in slipper-style flats. Moritz Scholz/Getty Images According to Sharpe, slipper-style flat mules are having a moment. She specifically recommends satin styles, pops of color, and square toe options. The stylist said the appeal lies in the laid-back, elevated vibe. Effortlessly style your fall apparel with unstructured suede loafers. Moritz Scholz/Getty Images Kenger said he's been seeing unstructured suede loafers gain some traction lately. These loafers tend to have a softer construction, with the stylist pointing to brown suede as a particularly popular option. "They're very soft and organic-looking and pair with more natural fabrics, like flannels and other fall materials," the stylist said. On the other hand, it's time to say goodbye to shoes with chunky soles. Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images According to Sharpe, chunky-soled loafers are giving way to sleeker, lower-profile versions. "Everything that's got a platform or a chunky sole is more out, and anything lower profile and sleeker is more the way to go currently," Sharpe told BI. Kenger also said he's noticed a similar shift in sneaker styles, which are getting even slimmer. The skinny silhouette is also showing up in low-profile Chelsea boots. Statement shoes are replacing quiet luxury. Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images For a long time, quiet luxury was the way to go. But Sharpe said fashion is starting to transition to the opposite end of the spectrum. "Everyone is thinking more about statement, color, texture, print, and having a little bit more fun with their shoes," the stylist told BI. There are different ways to embrace the trend depending on how bold you want to go, Sharpe said. That could mean shoes that have feathers or sequins, or simply stepping away from neutrals by opting for a brighter color than you'd typically wear. Consider swapping out stiletto heels for sculptural designs. Edward Berthelot/Getty Images This season, Young said the typical straight stiletto heels are being replaced by more interesting shapes. The stylist told BI that heels are leaning more artistic, with options ranging from tapered cone shapes to abstract sculptural designs. "I saw a swirly gold circle heel, and then I saw a seashell of a heel," she told BI. "Just crazy, abstract types of heels." Basic ballet flats are getting an upgrade. Edward Berthelot/Getty Images Classic leather, round-toe ballet flats are giving way to less traditional versions. Instead, Young said she's seeing softer fabrics like satin, as well as sneaker-ballet hybrids that combine the low-profile shape of a flat with details like laces and scrunched heels. Sharpe has also noticed classic leather ballet flats getting updates through satin, texture, color, and Mary Jane details. Read the original article on Business Insider
