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Future Nostalgia: A Look at 2024 Shoe Trends
We all have those trends from the past we'd rather forget—mine? The early 2000s obsession with wearing scarves with every outfit. But some trends are like old friends: they remind you of good times, you can always come back to them, and you want to try new things together! In these cases, we gladly welcome them back into the mainstream.
For the last few seasons, designers have been revisiting the classics and updating them for a more modern look. Much of the footwear we saw resembled staples that you might already have stashed away in your storage; well, now is their time to shine once more.
This season fashion houses chose between past or future, either taking to the archives or pushing ahead of the curve with innovative silhouettes and materials.
Could this style duality reflect a broader industry shift towards sustainability and innovation? With the fashion world confronting its reputation as a large polluter, designers might be turning more towards vintage inspiration or exploring innovative materials and production methods. Of course, it’s not enough to emulate the look- brands need to follow through in their practices.
Slip-On Comfort
A wider gender-bending attitude that sees designers redefining masculinity has trickled into the shoe line-up for this season.
The usual hype for streetwear-inspired basketball silhouettes has taken a backseat this season, making way for soft boy era. Slimmer shoes replace the chunky dad shoes of yesteryear, with granddad's style making a comeback.
Slippers were everywhere for SS24, reverberating into the wider shoe market through a greater absence of laces or straps in many shoes. With ballerina pumps making a comeback in the women’s collections, this dainty rebirth may have trickled into the menswear too.
These slippers aren’t your average carpet adjacent loungewear pair. Wales Bonner, for instance, prioritized comfort with her plush, pillow-like design, elevated by a stylish metallic chrome finish. For a subtler approach, espadrilles offer a refreshing summer alternative to embrace the trend.
Clogs and mules might have pulled off one of the biggest fashion comebacks in recent history. From the uniform of camper van cruising German tourists, they have resurfaced a casually stylish, easy shoe option for all; Brands ranging from Dr. Martens and Birkenstock to luxury labels like Loewe and Givenchy have embraced clogs, offering easy-to-wear designs suitable for summer and year-round wear.
Open-toe shoes and sandals have also gained traction as travel-friendly options, with brands elevating them to luxury status through the use of premium materials and intricate details. Reebok and Botter, on the other hand, took reimagination to the extreme, morphing sliders into a futuristic object through 3D printing.
Relying on timeless shapes, designers stood out from the crowd through lavish materials and embellishments, as seen in Loewe’s crystal studded mules and Dries Van Noten's furry flip flops.
Elevated Loafers
Loafers emerged as the ideal complement to formal attire, showcasing versatility in both bold and understated designs. While traditionally elegant, penny loafers received a modern twist, with brands like Gucci celebrating their refined charm while others like Dior and Burberry reinvented them with bold hardware and striking prints. New Balance introduced a fresh interpretation with the 1906L, merging their signature sneaker style with the classic loafer silhouette.
Retro Sneakers
At this point, Adidas Sambas have become the new Air Force 1s, and competitors seem to be taking a page from their book, as petite sneakers dominate this season. Particularly with resort collections on the rise and Luca Guadagnino's Challengers creating a lot of buzz, everyone is in a tennis mood for summer. Brands such as Adidas and Onitsuka Tiger provide a diverse range of options, featuring bold patterns and timeless colourways.
Additionally, sneakers have embraced DIY aesthetics and vibrant colours, visible in collaborations like OTW by Vans x Sterling Ruby and Puma’s new neon Mostros.
Trail Stompers
Gorpcore continues to thrive, with numerous brands venturing into the hiking trails this season. From hiking boots to trail sneakers, outdoor-inspired footwear took centre stage. While some designs leaned more towards style than practicality, the hook and loop feature of hiking boots emerged as a prominent reference in brands such as Comme de Garçons, MSGM and Moncler.
The resurgence of utility-themed footwear culminated in MSCHF’s 2x4 Brutal boot. While MSCHF will forever be over the top, in general the trend underscores an enduring appreciation for functional fashion.
Festival Boot Up
Festival season is coming around, and you can bet your bottom dollar that the brands know it. As the western theme gains momentum, the cowboy boot will be the go-to choice for musical events. Since Louis Vuitton’s AW24 show, Balmain is the latest brand to hop on the trend with its resort 2024 collection.
But that’s not all: biker and wellington boots are also joining the party. While biker boots exude a rugged charm that only improves with wear, wellington boots offer practicality, especially for those navigating rain-soaked British festivals.
Looking ahead to autumn, the focus shifts to indoor-outdoor boots—durable on the outside, yet cosy on the inside— presenting fresh interpretations of classics like Uggs and Moonboots.
Whether you're embracing classic styles or venturing into the future, there's something for everyone this season. So, dust off your vintage pieces, get creative with some DIY, or explore or our selection —it's time to step up your shoe game.
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