We’ve just about made it to 2023, everyone — and just like every other year, we can expect another four seasons of returned classics, questionable trends, and innovative designs that all push fashion into the future. Thinking ahead, I’d like to take a moment to make a few style predictions for what this next year will hold for us in the shoe department.
What’s here to stay?
Mules
- Birkenstock has racked up quite the list of high-brow cosigns: brands like Rick Owens, Manolo Blahnik, Jil Sander, and now Dior have all jumped on the Birk bandwagon. We can expect to see cozy, slipper-chic mules on the streets and all over our timelines well into 2023.
Minimal clogs
- Futuristic, easy to style and comfortable, platform clogs have been the most functional yet unpredicted trend. Check out Proenza Schouler’s Forma Clogs, or the Bottega Veneta Puddle shoes for reference.
Roomy knee-high boots
- Givenchy’s Shark Lock Boots are a playful take on the floor-length pant trend, and a refute to the skin-tight legging-heel look that Balenciaga has been pushing for so long. In the same vein, cowboy boots have been making a comeback in black and dark brown.
Short curved-heel ankle boots
- Warped heels look better on-foot than they do on the shelf. They add a modern touch to ankle boots that would otherwise be a bit too basic. See these Manu Atelier Duck Stretch Vegan Leather Booties for reference.
Buckles
- Buckles are the newest method of revamping gladiator shoes and age-old Mary Janes, adding a goth-chic edge by means of a black to silver contrast. See the new Versace Aevitas Pointy Platform Boots and AMBUSH “A” Buckle Mary Janes for reference.
Sleek leather Chelsea boots
- Make your timeless Chelsea boot stand out amongst the Prada Monolith crowd with a flatter sole, like these Wandler Rosa Boots.
Closed-toe heels
- Open-toes have had their moment for a while now, and it’s time for them to hibernate for the Winter months ahead. Got a pedicure that you just have to show off with your outfit? Try a pair like these Zara Mid-height Mesh Slingback Heels.
What’s OUT:
Questionably-cute clunky rubber boots
- Bottega Veneta’s Tire Leather Chelsea Boots made quite the slime-lime splash on the runways back in 2020 — a trend that Balenciaga continued to breathe life into with their polarizing Croc Rubber Rain Boots. Since the fashion world’s departure from questionable ironic-style, we’re seeing a predictable return to the familiarity of classic, feminine shapes like the pointed toe. Rubber boots are here to stay, just with more form-fitting designs like Chanel’s newest High Boots, which come in two mid-calf or thigh-high options.
Color-clashes
- The last two years have been all about minimalism and earth tones: a radical change from the obsession with Louis Vuitton’s Archlight Sneakers in bright retro colors, and the Gucci rhinestone-bedazzled Flashtreks from a few years ago. It-girls are largely nostalgia-driven, leading the way towards lower-profile designs like the Adidas Gazelle Shoes.
Jordan 1s/Dunks
- It’s no secret that the public’s opinion on Nike shoes has been on the rocks for the last two years. In 2021, it seemed like the Low “Black and White” Dunks (or affectionately referred to as “Pandas”) were everywhere. Yet, because of the impossible competition with online-shopping bots these days, hot Nike sneakers have become less and less accessible. It doesn’t help that they continuously release off-season-looking shoes, completely unaligned with the minimalist wave. Substitute these for a pair of New Balance 990V2 sneakers in gray/tan.
Leather lace-up boots
- They’re tired. Until combat boots can find a way to adapt to an ever-modernizing shoe game, they’ll forever be relics of a 2010’s Tumblr-alternative aesthetic. Try a pair of platform Chelsea boots like these from VLOGO.
Padded heels
- Give those Bottega Padded-Slide-style heels a break, because she’s been overworked. Granted, they were cute at first, but now the shoe market is too saturated with them. Substitute these for a pair of on-trend slingback heeled mules, like these from Gianvito Rossi.
2D white canvas shoes
- Thin white canvas shoes like Keds and Vans are out; they’re basic, and in a not endearing way. Bleach-white draws attention to… nothing. They’re boring and two-dimensional, and you’d be better off with a fresh pair of Nike Air Force 1’s.
Mid-calf medium-brown suede slouch boots
- Unless you’re dressing up in 2010-auntie-core for whatever reason, I would leave these in the darkest corner of your closet. Medium-brown suede has a knack for looking dust-covered even if they aren’t, and they’re difficult to style with recent fashion trends in mind. Try swapping them out for black, white, or dark brown cowboy boots like this pair from Stella McCartney.
Ballet flat with a contrast toe
- Yes these are iconic, but definitely not timeless or classic. It seems like with the rise of athleisure and functional style, people have finally caught onto their dysfunctionality. Not only are the soles unsupportive, they’re also not durable, and can’t hold up against pants that aren’t skinny-fit. Try substituting them for heeled mules, like these Skya Pointed Toe Mules from Sam Edelman.
Good or bad, I am so excited to see what kinds of shoes come in, or come back into style this year… I guess we’ll just have to wait and find out! Which styles do you think deserve to stay?
