There are two crucial elements I consider when picking an outfit for New York Fashion Week: Impact—the six-day event is an industry meet-up of editors, stylists, and buyers, so there’s always an instinct to impress—and functionality. In particular, the latter is critical with the shoes of a fashion week 'fit; Never again do I want to experience being at my first runway of the day, but already having three blisters and a tweaked hamstring because my trendy but way too tall heels couldn't handle the walk from the D train to the venue doors.
I'm not alone in prioritizing shoes that offer style and service. To borrow words from fashion director Sara Holzman’s recent Self Checkout about her favorite fashion week shoe formulas, she only wants “pairs that can actually withstand the realities of New York—the subway sprint, the cobblestones of the West Village, and twelve-hour days that stretch from early show times to late dinners.”
Fortunately, the fall 2025 shoe trends, by and large, factored in comfort. The sleek retro sneakers and low-to-the-ground riding boots that walked down Fall 2025’s runways are about to be on NYC’s crowded city sidewalks. The same goes for soft leather glove boots—the burgeoning, albeit controversial NYFW trend will be big among attendees who want to wear slippers, but are settling for a shoe that looks like a sock instead.
Ahead of another rodeo of runways, events, and quick catch-ups over caffeine, I'm sharing the seven easy-to-wear fall shoe trends that my fashion editor instincts tell me will be all over NYFW’s street style. Consider this a footwear forecast.
Brown Suede Sneakers
If you buy one sneaker trend of 2025, let it be a pair rendered in chocolate brown suede. According to Google, searches for brown sneakers are at an all-time high. As are It girl endorsements, including from Marie Claire's own associate commerce editor, Brooke Knappenberger, and Selena Gomez. All that considered, I expect NYFW's street style showing to be no different—in particular, my money is on Puma's Speedcat and Adidas's SL 72 as front-runners.
Riding Boots
For the fashion brigade, there are only two proper ways to ring in the fall season: with either a new jacket or a new pair of boots. Specifically for Fall 2025, it's either a supple suede jacket or riding boots. The equestrian-slanted boot trend was prevalent on last February's runways, including at Hermès, Burberry, and Prada, and is a reigning staple for fashion girls. Add all those factors together, and you get the perfect formula for a breakout fashion week shoe trend.
Pops of Print
I have always been a strong proponent of working smarter, not harder, when it comes to styling. My fellow lazy fashion editors share my preference, and oftentimes at NYFW, that manifests as a printed shoe that injects personality into an otherwise nondescript outfit. Think: either a leopard spotted ballet flat or polka dotted pump, both of which are simple style additions that provide a punch-up of flair.
Retro Sneaks
I walk into the Marie Claire office, and all I see are sneakers in designs that were trending five decades ago. I go to an industry event, and all around me are very chic women wearing the Adidas Taekwondo, Tokyo, and 1950s-era Samba sneaker. I'd put up good money that the NYFW Spring 2026 season will be more of the same for the ubiquitous sneaker trend.
Sock Boots
This past spring, glove flats were on every NYC block. Fall 2025 continues the slim-to-the-foot look but with a silhouette switch-up: meet the sock boot trend, a 2010s revival that not everyone will be on board with but will definitely be present and accounted for at NYFW.
Grown-Up Mary Janes
There's a relief in knowing that a sweet Mary Jane shoe, forever a staple of the back-to-school season, will never lead you astray. However, choice tweaks are always welcome, especially for NYFW guests looking to leave an impression. A loftier yet, crucially, still comfortable block heel amps up the design, while intricate suede or woven leather fabrications center craftsmanship.
Toe-Front Footwear
Fashion is no stranger to a freaky shoe trend. In 2025, we saw the phenomenon manifest via the proliferation of toe-forward footwear. Vibrams' Five Finger shoes— tech-y flats that shroud each and every toe—became fashion girl-approved. Toe ring sandals took over Manhattan, and Maison Margiela's split-toe Tabis have steadfastly held onto their spot in the It shoe hall of fame. So, yes, expect to see shoes that emphasize the digits, either with a peep-toe silhouette or a cleft-toe design.
