Women’s shoe trends for autumn/winter, from Gucci’s equestrian boots and Victoria Beckham’s metallic glitter pumps, to athleisure sneakers from Louis Vuitton and Dior

Nov 21 , 2021

Statement-making designs are just one of autumn/winter 2021’s women’s shoe trends, like this pair from Burberry. Photo: Handout

Bright colours and platforms are big with Vivienne Westwood, Tod’s and Tom Ford, and boots are in – with Prada’s covered in sequins and Simone Rocha’s with pearls

Giuseppe Zanotti and Roger Vivier also brought their singular takes on boots while Christian Louboutin went with tarot card detailing on its heels

While spring/summer 2021 felt like a tentative venture into the outside world after a year spent cooped up indoors, autumn/winter 2021’s shoe selections embody the advent of a much bolder and more adventurous spirit.

Maximal impact

Balenciaga shoes that resemble a knight’s armour. Photo: Handout

Statement-making red platform heels from Givenchy. Photo: Handout

Perhaps it’s the feeling of a world beginning to reopen that gave fashion labels the impetus to let the imagination go buck wild. In contrast to spring/summer 2021’s minimalist 1990s and Y2K-reminiscent aesthetic, it was the turn of shoes that were embellished, furred, feathered, jewelled and bedazzled to stomp down the runways, their heels showing more heft and height. Indeed, from Erdem to Vivienne Westwood, on peep-toe sandals and even ballet slippers, platform heels reigned supreme.

A campaign photo from Vivienne Westwood’s autumn/winter 2021 collection. Photo: Vivienne Westwood

Even “sensible” footwear styles got the maximalist treatment: stacked heels make the loafers from Tod’s and Loewe collections look fun and powerful, while Balmain and Tom Ford have classic pumps in bright hues and sleek metallics to catch the light (and attention) in any room. Befitting its name, Valentino’s Rose pump features leather petals creating 3D rose details.