These Shoe Trends Were All Over New York Fashion Week—and They're Under $200

30 pairs to refresh your spring shoe rotation.

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collage of new york fashion week attendees wearing spring shoe trends with white border
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
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New York Fashion Week has come and gone, but I won't shut up about the street style outside the Fall 2026 shows for a long time. There were plenty of triangle scarves over coats, unexpected color combinations, and It Bags to fawn over—my eyes, however, were aimed at the ground at all of the cool shoe trends attendees stepped out in.

After poring over hundreds of outfit snaps, I've developed a bad case of the shoppies. The only cure? Fresh footwear that won't break my budget.

The shoe trends that caught my eye at New York Fashion Week are incredibly wearable and fit seamlessly into my minimalist wardrobe. Punchy sneakers, high-vamp flats, and polished loafers are sitting at the top of my wishlist, but I'm also making room for a few statement pairs (hello, animal-print shoes!).

With a budget of $200 and under, my search naturally led me to Nordstrom, Zara, and H&M. These retailers didn't fail me: I found plenty of chic and affordable styles that fit into the biggest shoe trends of NYFW. Ahead, I'm sharing the ones in my cart, so you, too, can refresh your spring shoe rotation.

Colorful Sneakers

a fashion week attendee crossing the street in blue hoodie, grey jacket, leather pants, and red sneakers

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

Sneakers are nothing new, but with every fashion week, their popularity seems to reach new heights. That was the case this February, when I spotted not one, not two, but many pairs of sneakers in bright colors like neon yellow, cherry red, and forest green. The next time you're tempted to reach for plain white sneakers, take after the street-style set with a pop of color and see what a difference it makes.

High-Vamp Flats

A new york fashion week fall 2026 attendee wears striped blazer, ruffled skirt, purple socks, and black flats

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

Ever since Marie Claire Fashion Editor Lauren Tappan spotlighted the high-vamp flat trend in a recent story, I can't stop seeing the minimalist shoes everywhere. A practical choice for running between shows, they were especially prevalent on the feet of NYFW attendees. They work with just about anything in your closet, from jeans and T-shirts to skirts and blazers. What's not to love?

Soft Loafers

a new york fashion week attendee wearing glasses, neck tie, jean jacket, jeans, and loafers

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

Plenty of fashion week attendees prioritized comfortable footwear, which made loafers an especially popular flat shoe. The style has moved on from its clunky, lug-sole look to a more streamlined silhouette—think soft and ruched, the kind your grandpa probably wore. Go with classic black for easy styling, or opt for a suede pair for a richer look.

Animal-Print Boots

new york fashion week fall 2026 attendee wears olive suede jacket, suede pants, and snakeskin boots

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

The fashion zeitgeist has been getting wilder with its prints, and that's never been more prevalent than the Fall 2026 season in New York. Every day, you could spot an attendee in a leopard-print coat or with a zebra-striped handbag; the trend carried over into footwear, especially boots, in street style.

Pointed-Toe Pumps

a new york fashion week attendee wearing black pillbox hat, fur coat, grey pants, and black high heels

(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

Some fashion week attendees took a sharp pivot with their footwear, opting for sky-high heels over flats to complete their look. Pointy pumps were perfect companions to the Glamoratti aesthetic, complementing opulent fur coats, sharp tailoring, and luxurious dresses. The next time your outfit feels drab, a pair of ladylike heels may make all the difference.

Brooke Knappenberger
Brooke Knappenberger
Associate Commerce Editor

Brooke Knappenberger is the Associate Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she specializes in crafting shopping stories—from sales content to buying guides that span every vertical on the site. She also oversees holiday coverage with an emphasis on gifting guides as well as Power Pick, our monthly column on the items that power the lives of MC’s editors. She also tackled shopping content as Marie Claire's Editorial Fellow prior to her role as Associate Commerce Editor.

She has over three years of experience writing on fashion, beauty, and entertainment and her work has appeared on Looper, NickiSwift, The Sun US, and Vox Magazine of Columbia, Missouri. Brooke obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism with an emphasis on Magazine Editing and has a minor in Textile and Apparel Management.