We're Putting Our Best Foot Forward In These 2025 Shoe Trends

Get ready to let those footsies sparkle! 2025 shoe trends are all about fun dazzling details and — believe it or not — comfort! Seriously, leisure footwear and comfortable shoes are a big part of the new year. However, for those who love to suffer in the name of a high heel, don't be discouraged. While sneakers are evolving to fit the new year, so are glamorous, sky-high stilettos that come loaded with sex appeal and feminine edge. Just think of it as the best of both worlds. We're working with pumps and kicks to create a balanced wardrobe. 

Certain trends are carrying over from 2024. For instance, sneakers dominated the footwear world last year, and the same is happening in 2025 with fresh twists and unexpected variations. It's those new iterations that we're interested in, but at its core, comfort still reigns supreme. Other things, however, are changing. Crocs were such a trendy shoe choice in 2024, but 2025 doesn't have the patience. Heels of geometric varieties are emerging as well, with sophistication and the chance to exhibit one's personality being the shoe goal of the year. To get the scoop, Women spoke with Dejeuné Harris, the lead stylist and founder of Your Style Is Forever, as well as Brian Lim, Founder and CEO of online retailer iHeartRaves. Both experts gave us the footwear trend forecasts for 2025. 

Silver and gold, silver and gold. The verdict is in, and metallics of all varieties are leading the charge in 2025. The trend is hitting so hard that both Dejeuné Harris and Brian Lim narrow in on metallics as a footwear style to look out for this year. Harris gives the tones the thumbs up, and Lim goes into detail, explaining, "Bold colors mixed with metallic shines of gold, silver, and electric blues are set to dazzle in 2025 ... With a growing popularity of futuristic looks and clothes, metallic shoes are ideal for those looking to add a high-energy twist to everyday wardrobes." It's the wave of the future. 

If you can't decide between heels or sneakers, you don't have to! This love-it or hate-it trend has nudged its way back to the present, and 2025 is all about this hybrid. The heeled sneaker has been around for a while. Many might recall the fad in the late 2010s, as people sported these heightening kicks. Now, they're back again and Dejeuné Harris expresses her enthusiasm for the nostalgic footwear. "I think Isabel Marant and Manolo Blahnik Timberland styles will be on the rise," Harris explains. While those specific labels are leading the charge, several other affordable brands are also jumping into this throwback, so the style will be very accessible. 

Yes, Flo Rida's "Low" is our anthem again, as boots with the fur are coming back in a big way in 2025. Dejeuné Harris tells Women, "Another trend on the forecast for footwear is texture or fur. Fur will be very major." This is because 2025 is all about curating a wardrobe that's unique and individual to the person. "Consumers are becoming more aware and involved in cultivating their personal style," Harris continues. "The minimalist 'clean girl' aesthetic is out showing up in unique footwear making a statement." So footwear fanatics don't need to worry anymore about being too much; More is more this year.

The undercurrent of 2025's footwear trend is uniqueness, and this especially applies to heels. Let that be your guiding light, and all styling will go well. As such, both Dejeuné Harris and Brian Lim tell Women that a huge trend forecast is unusual heels. Harris predicts that "avant-garde, sculptural designs" with maximalist effect will be the mode for stilettos. Additionally, Lim stresses the artisanal importance of these shoes. "Expect artistic, unconventional heel designs — geometric shapes, textures, and metallic finishes — to rise," he says. "These shoes draw attention, effectively transforming the footwear into wearable art pieces complementing the growing popularity of distinctive and elaborated styles." That's another nod to metallics, obviously a big theme of the year. But most importantly, the emphasis is on cool, unexpected designs.

This trend is all about finding ways to transform your wardrobe to embrace the slow fashion movement. Brian Lim shares with Women that the environmental trend taking shape for 2025 is all about sustainably sourced running shoes. "With the continued consumer shift towards eco-friendly fashion, sustainable materials such as plant-based leather and recycled plastics seem to be on the rise," Lim explains. "Therefore, shoes made from eco-friendly materials are expected to rise in popularity as they reflect social responsibility while combining style with environmental awareness." Many brands are on the pulse of this environmental movement, offering comfortable footwear that's good for the planet. 

2025 is going to be a fun year for the techies out there. Running shoes are getting more advanced, offering all kinds of features to enhance a workout or even a hearty stroll around the city. "Integration of fitness trackers or temperature regulators will soon become the predominant feature on sneakers," Brian Lim explains to Women. "There is an increasing demand for wearable technology coupled with a heightened focus on health exposing a new market for shoes that marry fashion with practicality." You can expect more — way more — from your sneakers in 2025.