The Chic Shoes I'm Swapping in for These Dated Winter Shoe Trends
As far as outfits go, shoes are my chosen method for channelling personality. As a shoe enthusiast (and former shoe brand owner), I love all shoes—even the ones I'd think to never wear myself. Long live the ugly shoe! Throw me a sneakerina! Bring on the Crocs! Send me the weirdest laces and strangest embellishments. I love these as much as I love the classics, whether it's a white trainer or a black leather boot. Winter feels like a particularly great time to try something new when it comes to footwear.
When we're bundled up within an inch of our lives, our shoes can do much of the talking for us. Whilst style is inherently subjective, I'll be walking us through some dated winter shoe trends that I'm personally choosing to forgo this season in lieu of other options that have won my attention. But keep those so-called dated shoes—I can guarantee they'll be back trending somewhere in the future.
So far this season, I'm replacing my combat boots and sparkly party shoes with slightly more elevated numbers (see: almond-toe boots and red heels). If you're a fan of athletic styles and collecting sneakers, I'm swapping dated trainer trends like chunky trainers with nimble, lace-up ballet-inspired silhouettes. I also love the idea of changing out fur-lined boots for the much more functional lug-soled brogue. I'm also fully embracing my love of clogs once more this season, which are far easier to wear with wool socks and warm tights than the viral ugly-but-beloved split-toe shoe trend that's been everywhere this year.
Excited to revitalise your own shoe collection this winter? Here's a closer look at the dated trends worth replacing for the time being, and why their alternatives are ideal for your winter capsule.
The Dated Winter Shoe Trends I'm Skipping This Season:
1. Pausing: Furry Boots
Wearing: Lug-Sole Brogues
Style Notes: You'll notice a trend within this trend piece (so meta)—that I highly value functionality when it comes to shoes, especially during winter. It's cold, and often wet, so you need shoes that can handle this as well as contribute to your personal style. Liv exceeds at this. Rather than opting for furry boots this season (which, unless sprayed with protectant get soaked so quickly), choose a lug-soled option. And not just boots, as Liv wears, lug-soled brogues and loafers are a unique way of changing up your shoes from what you usually wear.
Shop Lug-Sole Brogues:
The second I saw these, they went on my winter wish list. The buckle is a nice, refined contrast to the chunky sole.
These look cute on their own or with a fun pair of socks peeping out.
Whistles
Chocolate Suede Chunky Lace Up Shoe
Prefer suede shoes? This pair is ideal for wearing with jeans.
Dr. Martens
3989 Smooth Leather Brogue Shoes
Leave it to Dr. Martens if you need a pair of shoes that feels a little different from what else is out there.
2. Pausing: Toe-Split Shoes
Wearing: Clogs
Style Notes: Split-toe shoes, regardless of how polarising, are very fun. However, splitting your toes up in winter? Not so fun. Clogs are equally as fun, but allow you to wear wool socks and tights and remain cosy. I revived my love of clogs this year after spotting a pair on a woman at Heathrow that I couldn't stop thinking about (shoutout to her for not gatekeeping and leading me straight to ME+EM). The last time I wore clogs I was 11, and, well, they have become so much more stylish since then. Whether you want a traditional wooden sole or opt for a flat-soled Birkenstock, you have many choices.
Shop Clogs:
Russell & Bromley
Slingback Heeled Clog
The all-black palette with studs and no seams makes this pair infinitely cool.
BIRKENSTOCK
Boston Suede Clogs
Birkenstocks are renowned for their comfort, and I love that they've been trending for the last few years. This frosty suede is a gorgeous colour.
LE MONDE BERYL
Agnes shearling-lined leather clogs
A very chic take on the wooden and shearling-lined clogs that used to be so popular in the early '00s.
Vagabond Shoemakers
Effie Mules
Vagabond shoes constantly blow me away with their quality, especially for the price.
3. Pausing: Glitter Heels
Wearing: Red Heels
Style Notes: A glitter heel can nice for party season, but for me a red heel is undeniably more chic. So, if you want to make a statement that still feels ultimately sophisticated, take a page from Ingrid's book and opt for red heels this festive party season. They pop against a sleek all-black outfit but still infuse plenty of colour into your look. They'll also work for other special occasions throughout the year, not just in wintertime.
