THE 5 KEY TRENDS TO ADD TO YOUR COLLECTION

In case you missed it: September 21st marked the autumn equinox. That’s right, summer is officially over. With cosy season sweeping in, we’re thinking ahead to what we’re wearing on our feet. We need shoes that can handle unpredictable weather and see us through shorter days and longer nights. And you might think it’s too early, but now’s the time to start weighing up what we’ll be stepping out in for party season. From canapés on arrival to being the last one standing on the dancefloor, our shoes have to do the heavy lifting.

If the autumn/winter runway shows earlier this year were any indication, we’re going to be keeping things low-key. But don’t mistake that for low-effort. Take heels, for example. They’re coming down this season, with kitten heels firmly back in the conversation.  Only this time, they’re bringing an edge. Think exaggerated silhouettes and split-toe detailing. They’re old favourites, newly reworked, and we can’t get enough.

And there’s the season’s unexpected MVP: slippers.  Yes, you read that right. No longer consigned to collecting cobwebs under the bed, they’ve been given a new lease of life that takes them out of the house. We’re talking loafer-inspired silhouettes that work at the office and on the sofa. Clogs in the finest suede and lined with the plushest shearling. We’re so ready.

Of course, not everything is staying low. There are exceptions. Boots are going sky-high for autumn/winter ’26. Well, okay, knee-high. That’s right, after previous seasons prioritised ankle and calf-length styles, knee-high boots are firmly on our radar this time around. And best of all? They’re coming in the shade-of-the-season: brown. And don’t worry, there’s still a place for high heels in your rotation. Except now, they’re taking a walk on the wilder side. We’re talking about animal prints, of course.

Intrigued? We know you would be.

Ft. both FLANNELS favourites and the cult labels to know, this is how you nail footwear for AW26.

If you’ve been paying close attention, you’ll know that kitten heels were on the rise (pun intended). They made their return to the runways in February and March, courtesy of our favourite houses. Then this summer, Lily Collins stepped out in London sporting an open-toed pair. And we knew it was a done deal when Kaia Gerber rocked them at the Venice Film Festival in September.

The message couldn’t be any clearer: kitten heels are back.

It’s easy to see why. We’re in our comfort-first era, and when the dress code calls for polished, it no longer makes sense to cram your feet into painful, towering stilettos. Not when you can reach for one- or two-inch heels that land the same look with equal impact. And then there’s the versatility. Yes, they’ll work for the office and after-hours drinks, but they’ll also earn their place at the weekend. Trust us, pair them with dark blue denim and a cosy sweatshirt to lift your off-duty fits. It works. Every time.

Our pick for autumn/winter ’26? Kitten-heel slingbacks. There’s something about an open heel and a pointed toe that makes the whole look feel more refined.

As with everything, a good place to start is Miu Miu. Just look at the deep cut along the vamp. The sleek bow embellished with the house’s logo. We could go on. They’re not the flashiest pair you’ll own this season, but they’re certainly the sultriest. Elsewhere, Saint Laurent can always be relied on to dial up the drama. Exhibit A: their Dakota Slingbacks. Between the gold-toned 50mm heel that curves inward and those elongated pointed toes, they’re the pair that you reach for when you want to make a statement. Pair them with an evening gown and a clutch for when the dress code calls for more flair. Meanwhile, Aeyde  strip the look right back to the essentials, letting smooth napa leather and the chic 35 mm heel do the talking. They’ve gone straight on our wishlist.

And it’s not just slingbacks getting the kitten heel treatment this season. Mules are too. Maison Margiela has reimagined their signature split-toe Tabi in patent leather. Combine that with the sculpted heel and exposed ankle, and we’re glad that party season is around the corner. We’ll take a pair. Or six.

We were quietly thrilled earlier this year when the autumn/winter runways took a walk on the wild side. After several seasons of pared-back designs, it was a refreshing change of pace to see our favourite designs letting loose. From deer-print flats to cow-print sneakers, the animal kingdom is firmly on our radar. But when it came to heels, there was one print above all others that captured our attention.

We’re talking about leopard print.

It’s had more than nine lives over the decades. It was a symbol of old Hollywood glamour. Then it was appropriated by anti-establishment punks. And most recently, it became poster-child for ‘00s indie sleaze. But now, big cat energy reigns supreme for autumn/winter ’26. Its latest guise? Paired with towering stilettos to define the upcoming party season. Because nothing makes more of a statement quite like leopard print.

And if there’s one designer we trust to help make a statement, it’s Christian Louboutin. You don’t need to look further than his latest Miss Z 100 Booty. We don’t know what we like more. Is it the tactile calf hair that feels like real leopard fur? (Don’t worry, it’s not.) The vibrant leopard print that moves between ochre, deeper browns and black? Or the new ‘everlasting’ red sole that will handle dining rooms and dancefloors? There’s plenty to choose from.

Gianvito Rossi turns to his eponymous 105mm pump. It might be a classic style, but sometimes you don’t need to mess with what works. You just need to add leopard print. And we haven’t even touched on the fact that these are handmade. In Italy. These are the ones you slip on if you’ve got fifteen minutes to get from the office to the Christmas party. The heel on Givenchy’s Tape Slingbacks might not be as high, but that doesn’t mean they don’t land as hard. The print is more abstract, the vamp is lower, and the heel is… well it’s gold-toned metal with an engraved logo. These are the ones that will show up on your friends’ grids well into the new year.

And if leopard print isn’t your thing, don’t worry. Reptiles are also having a moment. Fendi’s Very Colibrì Slingbacks come with an eye-catching tegu print (that’s a lizard to you and me) in a pale pink with earthy brown accents. The contrasting black straps will keep your foot in place through your sit-down meal and long into the night, right up till you’re getting the taxi home. Finally, look to Paris Texas if you’re after a classic croc-print. Like leopard print, it never really went away. Now, the label’s Vera Boots make it come alive in a whole new way, pressed into sleek, shiny maroon leather. So good.

There was a time when slippers were an afterthought. The pair that we got on sale that would quickly become our dog’s new favourite chew toy. But those days are now long gone. Easily the biggest surprise from the catwalks this February and March was the reinvention of the slipper. We saw the major houses embellishing designs with signature motifs. Others came with styles made from the finest suede and leather. And everywhere we looked, we saw nods to mules and loafers. Thinking about it, it makes sense. With comfort now considered luxury, the slipper was the next logical step.

No longer confined to the house and quickly forgotten about, they’re set to become our new-season workhorses. We’ll be leaving the house in them. They’ll become part of our office wardrobe. And we’ll still be wearing them late into the evening. These aren’t the floppy pairs you kick off by the bed. Think structured uppers, substantial soles and finishing details designed to be seen. If kitten heels are autumn/winter ‘26’s It-Shoe, then slippers are destined to become the season’s MVP.

Gucci gave its Princetown slipper an upgrade. The black upper and gold-toned Horsebit might feel tailormade for the boardroom, but the exposed heel makes them just as suited to the living room too. And they’ll team with the rest of your regular rotation. Try them with tailored trousers and a fine knit for the 9-to-5, and then swap in denim at the weekend. Meanwhile Miu Miu go all in on suede. Their Deck Mules dial back the details, allowing that rich cocoa shade to draw our attention. The shape references to one of summer’s signature shoes, the loafer, while the delicate bows keep things casual.

Burberry lean into cosy season with their Urchin clogs. They’re a rounder, more relaxed cut than we’ve seen for a while, and they’re lined with sumptuous shearling so your feet warm through morning commutes and long into evenings on the sofa. And it wouldn’t be Burberry if they weren’t finished with their archival check. This time, it’s on the strap and impressed into the suede. We love. Prada have also gone big on comfort for AW26. We’re big fans of their Suede Shearling Mules. The sharper uppers strike the perfect balance between chic and snug. And that extra-plush lining? It makes us never want to take them off. The cleaner shape brings a little more polish to the traditional slipper.

We’re saying goodbye to our dad shoe era. After spending the last decade or so living in chunky, maximalist trainers built to make an impact, we’re doing a hard 180 for autumn/winter ’26. And not a moment too soon. With our clothing moving towards structured tailoring and wide-legged trousers, we need something slimmer that works with both razor-sharp blazers in the week and baggy denim at the weekend.

During fashion week season, we saw designers adjust their priorities accordingly. Bulky platform soles were gone, replaced with shoes that kept feet much closer to the ground. High-rise uppers made way for cuts that hugged the foot. And out went in-your-face branding and colours you could see a mile off. In their place? Minimalist designs and more sophisticated shades.

So yes Dadcore might be on the way out, but slim, low-profile trains are stepping in.

Fendi caught our eye right away with their Wave Pulse trainers. They sit somewhere between retro runners and vintage football shoes. Asymmetric laces add interest up top, while wraparound gum rubber soles ground the look. And the hero detail? That stylised burgundy F that pops around the pastel tones. If you’re anything like us, these are the one’s you’ll be reaching for over and over. Gucci’s Stretch Trainers wouldn’t feel out of place at a polo match. Paying homage to the house’s equestrian codes, the Web, the GG canvas and the Interlocking G all make an appearance. But even for a house known for excess, they’re still restrained in line with the season’s energy.

Elsewhere, Sneakerinas have entered the chat. Ballet pumps were a summer favourite, and their influence isn’t going anywhere. Just look at Dolce & Gabbana. Their Ballet Sneakers live up to their name, with a close, ultra-low-profile shape and subtle panelling straight out of the early ’00s. We rate them in beige-tan, especially since it makes the ruched detailing at the toe pop. And then there’s Chloé’s Kick sneakers: a cross between ballet pumps and boxing shoes. They’re soft enough to feel like a second skin, while the extra-slim sole and gathered collar bring a tougher edge. They might be in the featherweight division, but they’re more than capable of standing up to the day.

Our Dadcore era might be over, but mesh is still firmly in the mix for autumn/winter ’26. We’re just deconstructing the look. Miu Miu’s Gymnasium kicks weave mesh in between dark brown suede to reinterpret Y2K codes. Add two sets of laces on each foot, something we’re loving, and you’ve got a pair that feels nostalgic and new at once. Finally, Prada are doing away with the concept of mesh altogether. Instead, their Collapse Crochet Trainers use cut-outs arranged in a mesh-like pattern. It might seem an odd choice for the colder weather, but they just give us an excuse to dig out our thick fluffy socks. And if we’re looking to get some winter sun, these are the ones we’ll go for.

Boots are a reassuring go-to when autumn and winter can feel anything but. When temperatures drop and forecasts change suddenly, what we wear has to adapt. In come layered looks and heavier fabrics. Think chunky knitwear under bomber jackets, paired with heavyweight denim and thicker socks. It can start to weigh us down. The right pair of boots, though, can anchor your look without getting lost in the mix. But while it might be tempting to pluck your block-heeled booties from the back of the wardrobe, we’re doing things differently for AW26.

Just like kitten heels, knee-high boots are back.

After the last few seasons prioritising heavier ankle- and calf-length styles, shifting gear to something sleeker and taller feels like a much-needed refresh. Especially when knee-highs work so well across your wardrobe. They’ll slip easily over skinny jeans, team with midi skirts for extra coverage, and streamline your silhouette if you’re wearing a padded puffer up top.

The trick to nailing the look this season? Go for leather, keep the look minimal, and when it comes to colour, look for earthy brown tones.

Let Bottega Veneta lead. Their James knee-highs are the ones to know about. Block heels and sturdy soles will see you across wet pavement, and the smooth leather uppers have a hint of slouch that stops them from reading too formal. But it’s the details that get us excited. The woven Intrecciato cord and the silver-toned triangle? Consider us sold. Staying in Italy for the moment, Gianvito Rossi’s Ascot Boots aptly channel an equestrian mood. The rich chocolate-coloured suede leans into the seasonal mood, and the shafts have plenty of give, making them an easy way to lift your off-duty fits.

Aeyde also opt for sleek this season, but with practical touches. The pull tabs at the heel are a welcome touch for mornings when getting going is difficult. But it’s the soles that we’re really thankful for. Lug treads give extra bite to your step, helping you navigate those awkward frosty conditions. Plus they’re low-key enough that you’re still able to wear them out to dinner or around the Christmas markets.

Finally, Givenchy. Ohhh, Givenchy. We’re so grateful for Sarah Burton. Her reimagining of the Shark Pinch Boot debuted at the house’s autumn/winter show in Paris. Part boot (95mm wedge no less), part sculpture, they make a bold statement while still feeling distinctly restrained. The tubular shaft is the star, creating a silhouette that is unique. They come in several shades, but Ebony Brown gets our vote. It taps straight into the season’s earthy palette. Good luck getting us to take them off.