Spring/summer shoe trends 2023: the standout styles fashion editors want you to know about
The best spring/summer shoe trends 2023 to help you step into spring in style and where to buy them
With the new season in full swing, the spring/summer shoe trends 2023 are the ideal way to bring your look bang up to date. With a range of styles available there is something for every taste, from office-ready styles, to perfect partywear options. We round-up our favorite shoe trends and how you can shop them right now.
Who doesn’t love a shiny new pair of shoes? The spring/summer shoe trends 2023 are one of the easiest way to tap into the latest spring/summer fashion trends 2023, as there is definitely a crossover between the fashion and footwear looks for the season ahead. From London to New York and Milan to Paris, the 2023 runway shows put forward plenty of shoes to get excited about, with occasion styles, office-ready attire and casual weekend looks all putting their best foot forward.
Whether you’re after one of the top boot trends that you can wear as part of a spring capsule wardrobe or you’re looking ahead to pedi-season with some spring sandals and comfortable flats, the latest shoe trends 2023 covered every style whim. As well as the essentials, there were some serious statement-makers too. From quirky sculptural heels to super shiny fabrics, expect your footwear to take on a starring role in your new season outfits. Ready to dip your toe in some spring/summer shoe trends 2023? Here’s our favorite looks, shoeaholics, take note.
Spring/Summer SHOE TRENDS 2023
1. Ballet flats
One of the hottest spring/summer shoe trends of 2023, ballet flats featured on both the 2022 and the 2023 runways. Thanks in part to the resurgence of noughties trends, this sleek and slim-lined shoe has made itself known. From the neon hues at Tod’s to shiny strappy designs at Simone Rocha, ballet flats appeared in many different guises, and they're perfect for adding a uber feminine feel to your best midi dresses, or a Parisian vibe when exploring how to style jeans.
Dainty and elegant, ballet flats are often spotted with a chic bow design as seen at Tod’s and a rounded toe, mimicking the shoe that they draw their name from. For the spring/summer shoe trends 2023, Tod's added a more practical twist, with sturdier soles making them a lot more durable and long-lasting. Bringing the classic ballet flat, which has often been seen as a little unsupportive and flimsy into 2023.
Ballet flats pretty much go with everything although you want to avoid looking like an actual ballet dancer, so don't wear them with anything too flouncy such as a tulle skirt. Instead, keep it simple and pair your ballet flats with your best jeans, tee and a blazer for a chic and understated getup that’ll be ideal for that smart off-duty style, when deciding what to wear in Paris.
RRP: $150 / £128.56 | Leopard print is a neutral, so this chic pair of pumps will go with both smart and casual ensembles. Looking just as cool with your best leather jacket as it will with your favorite, A-line midi dress to usher in the new season.
RRP: $230 / £159 | Ballet pumps traditionally are entirely flat, but for the spring/summer shoe trends 2023 we're seeing heeled varieties step their way onto shelves too. This gorgeous silver leather pair offers added polish and a more grown up feel to this look.
RRP: $134 / £110.38 | Looking for pumps to wear with your best cocktail dresses or to add a touch of femininity to tuxedos? This pair of ballet pumps features an elegant pointed toe and a fun oversized bow for a more dressy and directional feel.
2. Get Arty
The spring/summer shoe trends 2023 welcomed in a new era of creativity and many designers produced styles that wouldn't look out of place in an art gallery. Dries Van Noten opted for shoes with wavy heels, whilst Ferragano took it up a notch with sculptural circle silhouettes and Off-White chose to take some inspo from a slinky toy with its statement-making metal ring design - at least the chunky heel makes them easy-to-wear.
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Whilst this may not be the most practical of shoe trends, it’s certainly a head-turning or should that be a heel-turning - one, that is guaranteed to up the ante on smart casual outfit ideas. If you’re looking to experiment with this quirky trend, make sure you balance it out by keeping the rest of your look minimal. Wear them with a sleek two-piece suit, your favorite jeans or a new season dress and get ready for those compliments to roll in.
RRP: $178 / £175 | Jeans and heels is a chic way of styling denim to give them a more dressy, party-ready feel. The sculptural heel taps into one of the biggest spring/summer shoe trends of 2023, while the ankle tie strap makes them ideal for more cropped cuts.
RRP: $278 / £139 | Designer's were playful when it came to heels for spring/summer 2023, taking inspiration from the everyday to create weird and wonderful footwear styles. This tasseled heel channels that runway energy with ease.
RRP: $575 / £507.35 | Need some shoes to style-up the best wedding guest dresses this summer? This boldly colored iteration is ideal for giving occasionwear outfits a lift. The purple and orange give a nod to the fashion color trends 2023 too.
3. String Sandals
Those who prefer a minimalist capsule wardrobe will already be fully onboard with this trend. The polar opposite to the stompy boot, barely-there sandals were seen at the likes of Ulla Johnson, Philosophy Di Lorenzo and Altuzzara to name but a few.
Predominately a thong design with simple string or leather strap fastenings, we guarantee you’ll be living in these come summer, as they're ideal for what to wear in the heat. Simple, unfussy and elegant, they’re a step away from the sporty dad sandals we saw a lot of last summer but still just as wearable. Ideal for everyday wear, take note from the runways and stick to neutral shades of tan, cream and black to make them work with everything in your wardrobe. Their slim design makes them a dream when it comes to what to pack for a beach vacation, taking up very little space. Does that mean we can squeeze in two pairs?
RRP: $80 (US only) | Metallics are big news this season and this wrap style is ideal for occasions or casual weekend. In a bronze colorway, these sandals will pair well with all other colors, including white dresses or denim pieces for a stylish update.
RRP: $98 / £70 | Madewell is an American clothing brand that knows how to make statement, yet practical and stylish accessories. These tan sandals feature long straps that wrap around the foot and ankle to keep your shoe securely in place.
RRP: $98 / £88 | Looking for ideas of how to wear ankle strap detailing with jeans? As we head towards warmer months, bag yourself a pair of the best wide leg jeans with a cropped hem as a way of showing off your new shoes to perfection.
4. Wedge heel
Swap stilettos for wedges this spring/summer, as the spring/summer shoe trends 2023 ushered back in one of fashion's comfiest leg lengtheners. From Acne’s platform mules to Chloe’s sporty sandals, whilst wedges are normally reserved for espadrilles or a cork heel, the chunky design came in many iterations making it more versatile than ever. A wedge boot even made an appearance on the Fendi runway, creating the most glamorous wellies ever - ideal for adding some pizazz to what to wear to a festival this summer.
With comfort at its core, your feet will be very grateful for that this shoe trend is dominating the 2023 fashion-sphere. Whilst there were plenty of sandal styles for summer outfit ideas, there were heaps of sleeker designs too, from glittery mules to pointed pumps. Making the 2023 wedge a strong contender for everything from what to wear to a job interview, to the office or for a wedding. A great addition to a wardrobe at any age, wedges are particularly strong for a capsule wardrobe for women over 50 for added comfort.
RRP: $79.95 (US only) | Tapping into the '70s trend, these tan wedges are ideal for how to style flared jeans. While the heel part looks overly high, this is well balanced by the platformed front, making these easier to walk in, whilst boosting your height.
5. Stomper Boots
It may be spring/summer but don’t go packing away your boots just yet. An ideal choice if you want to nail the spring/summer shoe trends 2023, stompy boots are a carryover from the shoe trends of 2022 and they'll still be wearable with the autumn/winter fashion trends 2023.
A stylish counterbalance to uber feminine dresses, the best stompy boots are also pivotal when it comes to practical dressing too, as they're ideal for festival season to tackle muddy terrain - and remaining stylish whilst doing so.
Paco Rabanne went in hard with buckle-heavy boots adorned with metal hardware whilst Jil Sander stuck to a classic lace-up biker boot and Sacai took it to new heights (literally) with a stacked-up sole. Whatever boisterous boot you decide to go for, offset their tough aesthetic and team with feminine frocks, floaty skirts and soft pastel hues. A quick-fire way to ease yourself into the moto-chick trend, these boots are as practical as they are stylish and you’re bound to get plenty of wear out of them all-year-round.
RRP: $210 (US only) | To embrace the stompy boot aesthetic, essentially, it's the more buckles and hardware the better. These seriously lug soled boots will work well with skinny jeans, midi dresses, and are even great for pairing with leggings for a stylish finish.
RRP: $83 / £50 | For an on-trend boot that won't break the bank, this chunky soled design with lace-up detailing, but a side zip for easy wear are a timeless piece that can be enjoyed over the next season and beyond. We love the added toe detail too.
RRP: $210 / £155 | These boots offer a more grown-up take on the '90s fashion trend delivering a sleek look. A clean silhouette and chunky heel, the fitted cut at the ankle makes these more wearable for smarter occasions, or as part of tailored office attire.
6. Mary Janes 2.0
Another carry over from last season, the Mary Jane silhouette was popular throughout last year, featuring on both the spring summer and the fall winter shoe trends of last year. Defined by a round toe and a simple buckle strap, the ladylike design is a school-shoe fave but for the spring/summer shoe trends 2023 it’s had a bit of a grown-up makeover. Seen at Paris Fashion Week 2023 at the likes of Prada and Christian Dior, classic Mary Janes were treated to multiple buckle fastenings, stacked-up platform soles and angular heels for a cool and contemporary update.
It’s no surprise our love for the Mary Jane shows no signs of waning, thanks to the resurgence of a plethora of Y2K trends. The stompier silhouette helps to offset its prim and proper aesthetic and they look great teamed with skirts and midi dresses. Tap into the preppy style and add an extra layer of warmth and style with opaque tights or wooly socks for an ensemble Blair Waldorf would be proud of.
RRP: $149 / £120 | This black patent Mary Jane shoe nails the spring/summer shoe trends 2023 in more ways than one. From the sturdy heel to the squared toe front, this multi-buckle design will look directional with jeans and sweaters and elegant with dresses.
RRP: $298 / £335 | Prim and pretty, these metallic buckled Mary Janes give a nod to the color trends of 2023. The jeweled buckles and pointed toe, ensures this pair of Mary Janes has a dressy finish, ideal for pairing with the best wedding guest dresses.
Charlie is the Deputy Fashion Editor at Future plc across multiple women’s magazines including Woman & Home, Woman and Woman's Own.
She bagged her first magazine job in 2009 and has previously written for titles including Stylist, Closer and Dare. Over the years Charlie has embraced anything that was thrown at her from styling celebrities to testing out the best jeans on the high street to writing about must-have beauty buys.
With a weakness for a printed midi dress, Charlie is on a mission to shop more sustainably and loves finding new ethical brands and second-hand buys.
- Rivkie BaumFashion channel editor
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