Spring is officially upon us, and it might finally be time for those living in temperate climates to swap out the snow boots for lighter styles. After a long winter for many, the excitement about the forecast warmth is palpable. Spring can be fickle, so FN has rounded up a range of trending styles to inspire dressing for unpredictable weather, whether it’s a sandal or a boot.
Cap-toe Heels
Chanel popularized it decades ago, and the cap-toe heel is back — in classic and reimagined formations. It was the talk of fashion week when creative director Matthieu Blazy reimagined the French house’s iconic two-toned shoe in fresh ways for spring 2026, presenting a range of proportions and shapes.
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Speaking on must-have items for spring 2026, Linda Fargo, senior vice president, fashion office and store presentation at Bergdorf Goodman, told WWD in October, “Blazy’s supersoft kid leather cap-toe heel went from classic to cool in the new foot-forming leather.” Rickie De Sole, vice president, fashion director at Nordstrom, also named the cap-toes as must-haves: “Blazy reimagined Chanel’s signature cap-toe heels as slingbacks, delivering a look that’s refined, forward-thinking yet grounded in heritage.”
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Cap-toe takes can be found from Marc Fisher to Alaïa to Margaux to Marc Fisher.
High-vamp Styles
As seen in many of Blazy’s Chanel heels, higher-cut vamps are trending as well. Stella McCartney was another brand that got in on the look for spring 2026, with a sleek pointed-toe V-neck heel hitting the runway in addition to options with wide, rounded outlines. The style is known for covering more of the foot than the typical low-cut pump, making a striking statement of sophistication. Celebrities have embraced the aesthetic as well, from Barbara Palvin wearing a black block heel style that almost veered into bootie territory to Katie Holmes wearing a pair of slim black flats treading the line between loafer and ballerina.
Retro Sneakers
In the casual and athletic realms, throwback sneakers are making a statement this season as nostalgia proves its hold on the industry. Since Nike brought back its LD-1000 style, first introduced in the 1970s, the sneaker has made waves and become a site for collaboration with a range of other brands, like Aritzia. In addition to Nike’s retro renaissance, Reebok has reintroduced its Classics collection, which was modeled by new brand ambassador Karol G. The styles include the Club C 85, which was worn by Taylor Swift in her ’90s-set “Opalite” music video. Additionally, Keds released its low-profile retro runner style The Revival for spring.
Clear Styles
The celebrity-loved, decades-old clear-shoe trend appears to be here to stay. In the luxury realm, Chloé is one brand pushing the transparent narrative forward, with spring 2026 shoe styles including mules and slingbacks with simple see-through toe straps and a cup-like base, in addition to pointed kitten heels.
In another nostalgic trend moment, several brands are keeping the jelly shoe resurgence alive. Taking cues from The Row’s viral shoe from 2024, Dolce Vita and Steve Madden of Steve Madden Ltd. offer netted jelly flats, for example. And in a moment of combining two trending styles, Monse and Sperry released a jelly boat shoe as part of a collaborative collection.
Cowboy Boots and More Western Styles
Western boots might be year-round for some, but they can also be an especially useful transitional weather shoe. Even though Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour ended last year, the style remains popular. Kerry Washington recently attended a launch event for the collaboration between Stetson and The Great, donning the The Great x Stetson Cowboy Boots in brown floral from the collection to go with wide-leg jeans and a black top. Additionally, Tecovas has gotten in on the spring spirit with the Charlie Bloom, a pale yellow style with floral inlays along the shaft. In other spring-ready Western boot news, Lainey Wilson’s Golden West dropped the Louisiana-inspired Wild Magnolia boot featuring her home state’s flower.
Meanwhile, other shoe styles have received a Western treatment: Adidas reunited with Active Athlete to launch the Texas-inspired Lone Star Reppin’ Superstar, and the German brand also collaborated with The Whitaker Group on the Do Not Duplicate: Houston Rodeo Pack, featuring four sneakers.
Vibrant Color, Pattern and Embellishment
Whimsy is back this spring as shoes with fun patterns and embellishments hit the market. Over at Dior for spring 2026, Jonathan Anderson and Nina Christen played with embellishments, including oversized rosettes, bows, and more details on their shoes; the pattern was introduced with plaid in different colors. Meanwhile, Proenza Schouler presented footwear with eye-catching elements like 3D florals and fuzzy straps. Plus, Valentino’s iconic Rockstud heels, famously embellished with pyramid-shaped studs inspired by Roman architecture, are making a comeback, with twists by Alessandro Michele.
Alex Morabito, director of offer and purchasing at Galleries Lafayette, said of top spring 2026 footwear trends, “For shoes, the trend is focused on feminine styles with a primary and Pop color palette. We’re seeing a return to high-heel pumps and mules with added jewelry and embellishments, like at Dior, Proenza Schouler, Moschino.”