8 Fall 2020 Shoe Trends to Get on Your Radar ASAP

Making a triumphant return, over-the-knee boots were all over designer runways, from New York to Paris. While some skewed more simple and were made with leather and suede — as we saw at Celine and Givenchy — bold, bright versions and high-impact patent leather popped up at Proenza Schouler, Victoria Beckham, Saint Laurent, Balmain, and more. The common thread between all? A second-skin-like fit.

From left: Tory Burch Fall 2020, Proenza Schouler Fall 2020, Oscar de la Renta Fall 2020

Boots from the Proenza Schouler Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A boot from the Celine Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Boots from the Tory Burch Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A boot from the Oscar de la Renta Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A boot from the Isabel Marant Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Boots from the Victoria Beckham Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A boot from the Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Boots from the Rag & Bone Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A boot from the Balmain Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Boots from the Saint Laurent Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

The '90s and early aughts continue to pervade designer runways, and for Fall/Winter 2020 that means thick and chunky soles to offset more feminine pieces. Ranging from Oxfords to combat boots and lug-sole stompers, this shoe trend is perfect when you want to add a bit of grit to your look.

From left: Rochas Fall 2020, Jonathan Cohen Fall 2020, MSGM Fall 2020

Shoes from the Jonathan Cohen Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A shoe from the MSGM Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Shoes from the Molly Goddard Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A boot from the Rochas Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A shoe from the Chloe Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A shoe from the Miu Miu Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A boot from the Giambattista Valli Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A boot from the Stella McCartney Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A shoe from the Hermès Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A boot from the Nina Ricci Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Opposite of gritty lug-soles and punk-inspired boots, designers considered a more whimsical aesthetic when it comes to heels. Whether in the form of glitzy rhinestone embellishments like we saw at JW Anderson and Versace, pearl adornments as witnessed at Giambattista Valli and Y/Project, feather detailing which we spotted at Altuzarra and Prada, or lingerie-inspired design a la Fendi, these fancy and feminine heels feel as fresh with eveningwear as they do with a t-shirt and jeans.

From left: Giambattista Valli Fall 2020, JW Anderson Fall 2020, Fendi Fall 2020

Heels from the Giambattista Valli Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A heel from the JW Anderson Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A heel from the Fendi Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A heel from the Oscar de la Renta Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A heel from the Prada Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A heel from the Versace Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Heels from the Alberta Ferretti Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A heel from the Altuzarra Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Heels from the Prabal Gurung Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Heels from the Y/Project Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Perhaps the most joyful shoe trend of the Fall/Winter 2020 season, colorful boots make a major mark on designer runways. We're not just talking about earthy shades and in-season jewel tones — think ultrabright shades, from yellow to orange and green, from leather to suede, snake print to satin.

From left: Carolina Herrera Fall 2020, Oscar de la Renta Fall 2020, Dries Van Noten Fall 2020

Boots from the Proenza Schouler Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Boots from the Carolina Herrera Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Boots from the Alberta Ferretti Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Boots from the Roksanda Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Boots from the Balenciaga Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Boots from the Dries Van Noten Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A boot from the Oscar de la Renta Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Boots from the Lanvin Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Boots from the Sportmax Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Boots from the Jason Wu Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Keeping with the theme of nostalgia, sneakers are going in a decidedly retro direction for Fall/Winter 2020. From slim runners to colorblocked court shoes and perforated designs, this look is accentuated by throwback styling. Think slouchy trousers, scrunched tube socks, and '80s powersuiting.

From left: Coach 1941 Fall 2020, Louis Vuitton Fall 2020, Loewe Fall 2020

Sneakers from the Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A sneaker from the Coach 1941 Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A sneaker from the Marni Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A sneaker from the Each x Other 1941 Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Sneakers from the Loewe Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A sneaker from the Rag & Bone Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A sneaker from the Gauchere Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A Nike sneaker from the Sacai Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A chain reaction of sorts, designers from Ulla Johnson to Gucci and Sacai decked out boots, flats, and heels with heavy-metal links — no doubt a response to the buzz circulating Bottega Veneta's chain-adorned heels. The trend is much more wearable than you'd think — it's perfect for dressing up minimal or basic pieces.

From left: Ulla Johnson Fall 2020, N°21 Fall 2020, Sacai Fall 2020

Boots from the Ulla Johnson Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A heel from the N°21 Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Boots from the Sacai Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A heel from the Gucci Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Heels from the Off-White Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Flats from the Simone Rocha Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Heels from the Adeam Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Sandals from the Rag & Bone Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Another It boot for 2020? Riding boots! Witnessed at Brock Collection, Dior, Valentino, and Michael Kors Collection, among others. With some seriously chic equestrian vibes pervading the Fall/Winter 2020 collections, new-season styling is all about pairing these boots unexpectedly with feminine pieces like brocade skirts and metallic dresses.

From left: Brock Collection Fall 2020, Michael Kors Collection Fall 2020, Dior Fall 2020

A boot from the Brock Collection Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Boots from the Michael Kors Collection Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A boot from the Dior Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Boots from the Valentino Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A boot from the Coach 1941 Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Boots from the Chanel Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Boots from the Salvatore Ferragamo Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A boot from the Brandon Maxwell Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Boots from the Etro Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Though designers took inspiration from many decades, a common thread between them was vintage-inspired heels. From Victorian-inspired satin pumps at Self-Portrait to '60s-style Mary Janes at Marc Jacobs and '80s-inspired colorblocking at Saint Laurent, this look consists of lower heels, high-cut vamps, and detailing like bows, buckles, ruffles, and rhinestones.

From left: Missoni Fall 2020, Saint Laurent Fall 2020, Self-Portrait Fall 2020

A heel from the Self-Portrait Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Heels from the Rodarte Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A heel from the Dior Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Heels from the Saint Laurent Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A heel from the Marc Jacobs Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A heel from the Missoni Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Heels from the Khaite Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

Heels from the Marine Serre Fall/Winter 2020 runway.

A heel from the Petar Petrov Fall/Winter 2020 runway.