A Year Ago I’d Never Have Worn This Shoe Colour—Now It’s the Chicest Thing Going

If you’d told me a year ago that brown heels would be topping my wish list this season, I wouldn’t have believed you. At the time, ballet flats were the shoe of choice, and the red colour trend was dominating—there didn’t seem to be much space for richer, more demure tones. Oh, how things have changed.

As autumn kicks in, earthy shades are suddenly everywhere, and brown heels are breaking through as a key way to tap into the trend. They offer the versatility of a neutral with a little more depth than cream or white, all the while feeling softer and less harsh than black.

What you might find most interesting is that heels are specifically having a moment. I always find this preference begins to spread at the start of autumn, which I suspect is down to the fact many of us spend the summer primarily in flat sandals.

Surprisingly easy to style, chocolate brown heels work easily across a wardrobe. With warm neutrals—camel, beiges, burgundys—it looks refined and considered. Paired with crisp whites or soft creams, it adds contrast, while still feeling light and fresh.

It’s no surprise then that the style is cropping up across the board. On the high street, brands like H&M, Reformation and Zara have all released sleek iterations, while designers from Prada to Jimmy Choo are giving the shade their stamp of approval.

Scroll on to shop the best brown heels available now to style this season and well beyond.