There are few things I love more than shopping for shoes, and I will come up with any excuse to order new ones. Luckily, 2025 has provided plenty of them. The thing is the types of shoes that are included in a well-balanced wardrobe don't change all that much. You have pumps, sneakers, loafers, kitten heels, flat sandals, and so on. What does change from year to year is the trends within these categories. The good news is that a lot of these trends can be pretty timeless, so it's not like you have to replace your entire shoe wardrobe each year. If you are seeking replacements for some of your essential shoes, you clicked on the right story.
As I did a month ago with basics, I compiled the most 2025 version of every type of shoes you may need—nine of them, to be exact. Some of them may seem a bit specific, but if you're wearing a certain type of Mary Janes, for example, people will know you're a fashion person with one glance. If you're ready to shop the freshest version of practically every shoe style out there for 2025, keep scrolling to see my curated list.
Flat Sandals: Suede Flip-Flops
Everyone's talking about suede sandals, and they're already selling out left and right. If you ask me, they look more expensive than any other sandal trend on the market.
Loafers: Ruched
Ruched loafers have been popular for a minute (thanks in large part to Saint Laurent's It pair), and the trend has continued into 2025. I see this one sticking around for a while.
Kitten Heels: Peep-Toe
Peep toes were prominent on the spring/summer 2025 runways, and I find the coolest way to wear the trend is in the form of kitten heels.
Mary Janes: T-Bar
Classic Mary Janes are still wildly popular, but if you want something far fresher, go for a pair with T-bar straps. Compliments will follow.
Sneakers: Sporty, Retro
Sporty, retro sneakers from the likes of Adidas, Miu Miu, Puma, and Dries Van Noten (to name a few) show no signs of slowing down. The popular styles sell out as soon as they're stocked, so act fast.
Ballerina Flats: Almond-Toe
If you're feeling a bit bored with traditional ballet flats, seize the opportunity to invest in a pair of almond-toe ballerinas, which are far more elevated and versatile.
Pumps: Slingback
You can't go wrong with good basic pumps, but if you want your outfits to look even more elegant and fashion person coded, you need a good pair of slingback pumps in your closet.
Mules: Slipper
Shoes that resemble hotel slippers but are for outside wear are what all the cool girls are wearing. Choose them in an elevated material such as suede, leather, or satin to ensure it doesn't actually look like you're wearing bedroom slippers.
Boots: Exotic Skin–Embossed
The fall/winter 2025 runways proved that rich, exotic skin–embossed leather is coming back, mainly in the form of snake and croc. Consider it a continuation of 2024's leopard-print craze.
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