As part of the Micam Milano footwear show at the end of February, trends consultancy WGSN outlined what it sees as the footwear trends manufacturers and brands should be catering to for spring-summer 2026.
Consultant Madeline Van Der Hoek predicted a trend towards smarter dressing as we move away from the relaxed styles seen in the pandemic. Loafers will be popular for officewear but with contemporary details such as bows and square toes.
Retail data shows strappy dress shoes overtook comfort styles last year, as customers gravitate towards dressing up. Feature heels or pearls could be added. “Occasionwear will become more important,” said Ms Van Der Hoek.
For women, she predicted the return of the ballet shoe, as “kidult” customers value the nostalgia of childhood, with styles updated with ankle straps, animal print and pony hair.
Another key theme will be shoes with “multisensory” or tactile appeal, with important materials including velvets, suedes and jellied textures.
The slide will still be popular, and updated with fabrications or jewels, in patent or velvet for a more luxurious look.
For men’s, boat shoes will be popular, as older consumer are drawn to fashion-led products and younger ones towards longevity.
People’s changing holiday habits – for instance, booking holidays in fringe months – mean that summer styles should be available for a longer portion of the year.
Running will be a big focus for sport shoe retailers, and will be updated with glow-in-the-dark laces as a safety feature, reflecting an increasing move towards “nocturnal living”, added Ms Van Der Hoek.
To inform its predictions, it used six years of retail statistics, as well as social media and event data. It also monitored search engines and tracked influencers and brands.
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