The month of August is when I officially start my fall fashion prep work. As a style obsessed content creator, I take the fall season very seriously. It’s not only my favorite time of year weather-wise, but is also arguably the best season for fashion. Sure, summer is a close contender with all the fun occasions to dress up for (weddings, graduation parties, pool days, etc), but nothing beats the coziness of fall collections allowing you to layer up on the newest outerwear and knit pieces.
While my fall shopping research tends to include an array of the season’s usual go-tos– denim, jackets, and sweaters– I am sometimes quick to forget that shoes are and always will be the essential part of any wardrobe regardless of the current season. So when it comes to fall, we of course need to focus on the footwear. The fall runways have hinted at some new styles emerging, including some that literally shine, while street stylers are proving the freshest sneakers actually take notes from the past. Here are the five biggest footwear trends for fall, including favorites from StockX.
ASICS Gel-Kayano 14 Kith Cream Scarab
adidas and New Balance have been taking the fashion world by storm with smart collaborations (Wales Bonner, Aimé Leon Dore to name a few) and updated, modern colorways. As Gen Z continues to tap into Y2K fashion culture, brands have been taking notes from past decades and updating classic silhouettes. So it’s no surprise that ASICS is the next brand making a statement this fall. The brand has always been popular with both athletes who favored the shoe’s technical running design and suburban dads who needed the supportive cushion for trips to Home Depot. But now ASICS has found its footing (pun intended) in the fashion world. When it comes to fall sneaker trends, it’s all about embracing your normcore roots, with chunkier silhouettes and timeless early 2000s styles coming back bigger than ever. The ASICS Gel-Kayano 14 collab with Kith in Cream Scarab is a trendy choice. The Gel-Kayano 14 style is my all-time favorite from the brand, with its mesh upper and lining and the classic ASICS formstripe on the side panels. Pair this sneaker with vintage Levi’s and an oversized rugby shirt and you’ll be the epitome of normcore dad style.
Saint Laurent LE Loafer Penny Slippers
I’m not going to lie– sometimes (read: all the time) I get impatient during my fall fashion shopping “research” and need to buy things on my wish list ASAP. These Saint Laurent LE Loafer Penny Slippers are one of those instances. But now I have first-hand proof that these are the loafers you need for fall (and life). Quiet Luxury will still be just as major this upcoming season and I can’t think of a better category to splurge on some stealth wealth than a footwear staple. Loafers aren’t a groundbreaking style in footwear trends– I am well aware. But they are a timeless and essential part of a capsule wardrobe. So instead of buying a trendy pair, invest in a quality style that you’ll never get sick of. These Saint Laurent loafers are made from the softest leather. My favorite part is the small, tonal logo hardware accent on the vamp. If someone’s really paying attention to the details, they’ll be impressed with your subtle nod to luxury. And to the everyday bypasser, you look just as chic and elegant.
New Balance 1906R x GANNI in Egret
I wrote back in April that every trendsetter needs a pair of New Balance 1906R sneakers. I predicted they would be everywhere this summer season. And well, I wasn’t wrong if I do say so myself. The 1906R style is still on the rise going into fall and this next collaboration proves it. The Danish contemporary brand GANNI paired up with New Balance again for another limited-edition collaboration on three iconic sneaker styles. One of those styles was, you guessed it, the New Balance 1906R. Inspired by the 2000s running styles, the collaboration sneaker brings a touch of GANNI’s eccentric tastes in the vibrant retro colorway. I love the vintage-looking cream color in the base with the pop of bold yellow. The sneaker features a technical design with flexible ACTEVA LITE cushioning and ABZORB SBS pods at the heel for an extra supportive feel. The sneaker combines vintage-looking design choices with modern details for a shoe that feels current yet classic. It’s a collaboration that really feels fresh and exciting and I’m all for it.
adidas x Wales Bonner Samba in Silver
I am so excited about this next sneaker that it may or may not already be shipped and delivered to my apartment (I’m more of a hands-on shopping “researcher” what can I say). I am going on record to predict the adidas x Wales Bonner Samba in the silver colorway will be everywhere this fall, especially since metallic is one of the biggest color stories to come out of the Fall/Winter 2023 runway shows (never forget the viral Miu Miu show with the glittery sans pants look). Other brands are taking note, with footwear and accessories getting the glazing treatment for the fall season. I love how the adidas x Wales Bonner Samba in silver blends together both retro and futuristic elements for a shoe that truly shines (literally and figuratively). The base of the sneaker shimmers with a mirrored silver finish while the brown vintage-looking sole grounds the futuristic colorway back down to earth. It’s the sneaker of the season so get on it now before fall is in full swing
Miu Miu Ballerinas
There’s a few core aesthetics that have been transitioning seamlessly into new seasons, including Quiet Luxury, 90s Minimalism, and Balletcore. And it’s a footwear staple in this last core that has my shopping on overtime. Ballet flats have dominated summer and are already becoming the “It shoe” of the fall season (sorry Sambas). Take one look at any of your favorite cool girl’s Instagram feeds and you’ll see a slew of different ballet flats. The timeless shoe has been a staple in Mary Kate and Ashley’s closets since forever, and I’m not going to lie, I thought my ballet flats would stay hidden in my closet since 2008. But Miu Miu and their balletcore aesthetic revamped the classic flat and made them relevant once again. So it’s only fitting to wear the style that restarted the trend: the Miu Miu Ballerinas. The silk pair is a must-have, but I love this black leather iteration for fall. The leather base and rubber heel keeps this luxury staple more durable in any unexpected weather conditions, while the knit logo label on the elastic band makes these ballet flats worth splurging on.
Bottega Veneta Puddle Ankle Boot
Barbie may have been summer’s biggest movie, but the film’s influence on fashion transcends any season. I loved following Margot Robbie’s press tour outfits as she reinterpreted a different iconic Barbie outfit at every red carpet (“Solo in the Spotlight” Barbie was a fave). So yes, Barbiecore is still hotter than ever. For fall, it’s all about channeling our best “Barbie in the rain” look with the Bottega Veneta Puddle Ankle Boots in the color gloss. I love the funky shape of these rubber boots. They poke fun at the “ugly shoe” trend but still look sleek and playful with the rubber material and tonal pink color. The best part is these rubber boots are made from fully biodegradable polymer rubber, free from any synthetic chemicals. It’s a step in the right direction when it comes to environmentally friendly luxury footwear.
