Even in the midst of a global pandemic, Fashion Month [1] is taking shape. Sure, IRL shows (LOL, remember those?) may be few and far between, but that gives us even more opportunity to zero in on the details gracing the digital runways and virtual presentations alike for fall/winter 2021 [2]. We know, we know . . . we're not even out of winter and into spring. But time as we know it is a flat circle, and, at the very least, these trends — shoes in particular — give us something, anything to look forward to.
Perhaps as a lingering effect of quarantine, comfort was top of mind, with styles like lug-soled boots, indoor shoes making outdoor moves, and the ever-divisive clog taking the runway. But that isn't to say that all the shoes radiated WFH vibes — superstacked platforms were a common theme, while knee-high boots decked out in rhinestones, psychedelic patterns, and embossed logos also played costarring roles.
Check out seven of the biggest shoe trends you can expect to see come fall.
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Supercool Clogs [3]
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Indoor-Outdoor Hybrids [4]
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Straps on Straps [5]
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Sky-High Stacks [6]
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Killer Knee-Highs [7]
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Loafers With Lift [8]
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Luxe Lug Soles [9]
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Supercool Clogs
Serving equal parts Candie's and Crocs vibes, labels like Victor Glemaud (pictured), Sandy Liang, and Veronica Beard are among the designers who incorporated wooden and plastic-soled clog variations into their respective lineups.
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Supercool Clogs
Sandy Liang fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Supercool Clogs
PF5 fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Supercool Clogs
Veronica Beard fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Indoor-Outdoor Hybrids
Fact: Lockdown has forever changed the way we do footwear (if we even do it at all), as evidenced by the slippers and slides making strides down the runway at Fendi (pictured), Proenza Schouler, and Simone Rocha.
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Indoor-Outdoor Hybrids
Proenza Schouler fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Indoor-Outdoor Hybrids
House of Sunny fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Indoor-Outdoor Hybrids
Simone Rocha fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Indoor-Outdoor Hybrids
Gabriela Hearst fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Indoor-Outdoor Hybrids
Altuzarra fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Straps on Straps
When it comes to strappy drama, more is always more. Anyway, we assume that was the idea at Molly Goddard, where models took the runway with straps wrapped up past calf-level.
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Straps on Straps
Christian Cowan fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Straps on Straps
Proenza Schouler fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Straps on Straps
Palmer//Harding fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Sky-High Stacks
Towering silhouettes that would do all five Spice Girls proud (well, except sneaker enthusiast Sporty, perhaps) elevated the looks at Vivienne Westwood (pictured), Moschino, Erdem, and more.
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Sky-High Stacks
Erdem fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Sky-High Stacks
Moschino fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Sky-High Stacks
Molly Goddard fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Sky-High Stacks
Cinq à Sept fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Sky-High Stacks
Schiaparelli fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Killer Knee-Highs
Sure, knee-high boots give every outfit a little edge, but knee-high boots decked out in major sparkle (like this pair, courtesy of Victoria Beckham [11]), printed patterns, or a combination of both? Even better.
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Killer Knee-Highs
Prada fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Killer Knee-Highs
Moschino fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Killer Knee-Highs
Fendi fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Killer Knee-Highs
Alexandre Vauthier fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Killer Knee-Highs
Jil Sander fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Loafers With Lift
The workwear staple stepped it up in every sense of the phrase at Ganni (pictured), 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Gabriela Hearst, where the classic silhouette was paired with a playful chunky sole.
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Loafers With Lift
3.1 Phillip Lim fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Loafers With Lift
Gabriela Hearst fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Luxe Lug Soles
With visions of the throwback Rocket Dog style from decades past dancing in our heads, the comfortable lug sole boot was a staple at Vivienne Westwood (pictured), Ganni, Simone Rocha, and Jonathan Simkhai.
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Luxe Lug Soles
Jonathan Simkhai fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Luxe Lug Soles
Ganni fall 2021
Fall 2021 Shoe Trend: Luxe Lug Soles
Simone Rocha fall 2021