5 Spring Shoe Trends To Try This Season

After what felt like eons in the dark abyss of wintertime, spring has finally arrived — and that means you can finally wear warm-weather shoes again. Fortunately, 2024 has broken from years past by prioritizing practicality alongside style: ballet flats, slingbacks, and a new go-to sneaker have climbed ranks alongside wedges and platforms. They’re being styled in new and surprising ways that ensure you can incorporate them seamlessly into your existing wardrobe.

It’s this versatile approach to spring that makes the season even more exciting. We’re seeing wedge sandals paired with athletic socks, sneakers alongside lace skirts, and accent bows on kitten heels worn as a striking contrast to track pants or barrel jeans. This year’s biggest trend, though, is whichever one you can make entirely yours, even if you’re on a budget. Here’s how to refresh what you already love with the shoes you’re certain to fall for.

1. Ballet Flats

As part of the 2010s revival this spring, designers including Simone Rocha and Reformation featured the classic slip-on in their collections. Understandably, celebs took note: Jennifer Lawrence and Angelina Jolie were spotted in mesh ballet styles earlier this year, showcasing the ways in which ballet flats can work with anything. While always a safe choice with a cropped pant, they can also anchor a wide leg to keep a look casual.

Shop the trend: 

• Circus by Sam Edelman Women's Zuri Crossband Ballet Flats
• Larroudé Women's Blair Mary Jane Ballet Flats
• Rothy’s The Square Mary Jane

2. Wedge Heels

Once again evoking the early 2000s, wedges have made a comeback thanks to appearances in collections by Chloe and the stars sitting front row. Formerly the gold standard of summertime going-out shoes, wedges have evolved from their place alongside bandage dresses and skinny jeans, and now anchor trends such as ankle-length skirts or wide-leg pants Because of their size and shape, wedges can offset a streamlined silhouette by adding more substance to the bottom, similar to the way platform clogs do. 

Shop the trend: 

• Steve Madden Lulah Denim Fabric
• Stuart Weitzman Women's Nudistia Espadrille Wedge Sandals
• Dolce Vita Eldora Heels

3. Clogs

Everything old is new again, and more and more folks are wearing clogs with different types of outfits, including more dressed-up ones. Brands including Birkenstock and Dr. Martens have become spring mainstays for those looking for comfort and versatility, while platform, wooden clogs have been seen on Gisele Bündchen and Bella Hadid, who’ve used them to dress up denim. 

Shop the trend: 

• Birkenstock Boston Chunky
• Dr. Martens Carlson Suede Casual Slingback Mules
• M. Gemi The Greta

4. Slingbacks

Maybe you’re ready to tap out of chunky shoes and embrace a midcentury classic. Enter slingbacks. Available in all heights (flats, kitten heels, and even wedge platforms), slingbacks were big in the fall of last year and went on to be featured by brands including Philip Lim, Tory Burch, and Madewell. This year, Versace took a page from its ’90s campaigns and showcased the style in pastels, flats, and wedges.

Shop the trend:  

• Soul Naturalizer Idea-Dorsay Slingback Flats
• Naturalizer 27 Edit Felicia Slingback
• Aldo Uliana Slingback 

5. Colorful Sneakers

Sneaker lovers, rejoice! Trainers are still a key player in the spring 2024 landscape, with a simple caveat: the brighter, the better. Fashion folks are embracing last year’s Adidas Samba trend, but this season they’re also heralding the emergence of color, including pink, red, green, and blue. Not only are sneakers obviously comfortable, but their versatility is unmatched: You can wear them with anything in your closet, and use their pops of color to create a focal point. 

Shop the trend: 

• Adidas Originals Women's Gazelle Bold Shoes
• Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 'Kill Bill' DL408-0490
• Nike Cortez Vintage Suede