Spring has arrived! There were moments this winter in NYC where it felt as though we’d never see the day, but alas, slowly the rigid blanket of cold is lifting off of our shoulders and being replaced with a trench instead of a puffer. Thank god. As far as footwear goes, I much prefer a summer shoe. I have no issue slinging a flip flop on the NYC subway system, nor walking 10,000 steps in my Tabi ballet flats. I may be in the city, but I want my dogs to feel free! I want to feel the wind between my toes.
On the Spring/Summer runways last September, the footwear options were endless, and now that they are finally dropping in store, we’re officially excited for our upcoming shoe wardrobes for the season. Ahead, are the biggest Spring/Summer show trends for 2026
Knife Point
From left: Balenciaga SS26; Saint Laurent SS26; Ferragamo SS26.
Launchmetrics
Ultra-pointy pumps were a fixture on the Spring/Summer runways this year. Most notably at Saint Laurent, where Anthony Vacarello sent the exact same shoe out with every single look, only varying colours and fabrications. All of them were sky high stiletto pumps with an elongated, severely pointed toe. Elsewhere, Pierpaolo Piccioli’s debut Balenciaga collection featured pointed toe court shoes, and Maximillian Davis’ Ferragamo featured a series of patent leather mules.
Shop The Trend:
Leather Lace Ups
Clockwise from left: Celine SS26; Jil Sander SS26; Prada SS26.
Launchmetrics
Preppiness is back thanks to the likes of Michael Rider, who offered a Spring/Summer Celine collection that was filled with just that, including little white leather lace up shoes perfect for Spring. Jil Sander’s Simone Bellotti had a similar stroke of genius, fusing a kind of vintage Prada sport silhouette with a traditional Oxford shoe for something a little more laid back, while Prada went for a classic patent leather Oxford.
Shop The Trend:
Walking On Water
From left: Loewe SS26; Miu Miu FW26; Jil Sander FW26.
Launchmetrics
While more of a trend during the recent Fall/Winter 2026 shows, a water shoe theme emerged amongst designers, namely Simone Bellotti and Miuccia Prada. At Jil Sander’s Fall/Winter 2026 show, satin and leather water style shoes appeared on the runway. Over at Miu Miu, Mrs Prada brought the bubble soles from her 1999 collections back in the form of slip-on leather water shoes. At Loewe, it was a little more rain shoe than water shoe, as heeled clear court shoes came down the runway. If you’re looking for a sportier option this Spring, consider the water shoe!
Shop The Trend:
Fancy Footwork
Clockwise from left; Chanel SS26; Dior SS26; Chanel SS26; McQueen SS26.
Launchmetrics
The Spring/Summer season was one of plenty of fun amidst the court shoes and brogues, as demonstrated by Sean McGirr at McQueen, who resurrected Lee McQueen’s famous Spring 2003 rosary strappy sandals with a horn heel, while over at Chanel, Matthieu Blazy sent a series of pony hair slingbacks down the runway. At Jonathan Anderson’s Dior debut, the Irish designer offered up a series of satin mules with twisted rosettes at the toe, all pointing towards a surge towards fun footwear.
Shop The Trend:
Colour Pop
From left: Hermes SS26; Prada FW26; Acne FW26; Courreges SS26.
Launchmetrics
It was the season of the coloured boot on the Spring/Summer 2026 runways. At Courréges, a pair of blue sock boots intercepted the otherwise fairly neutral collection, and at Hermes, mustard yellow suede riding boots came out every few exits, while at the Fall/Winter shows this past month, we saw embellished yellow boots from Prada, and electric blue suede options from Acne Studios. ‘Tis the season for a brightly coloured boot!
