Shoes
Jan 30, 2024

I Asked a Parisian—These 6 Shoe Trends Are Everywhere

by Anna LaPlaca

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to deduce why French style is so good, but it does take an expert eye to spot what makes it so good. For one, the people in Paris are always ahead of the curve. Since the greatest minds behind industry-leading houses from Saint Laurent to Valentino are based in Paris, it gives the city, and the whole of Europe, a leg up over us when it comes to what's new and next. All that is to say whatever the women in Paris are wearing now is what the rest of us in the U.S. will want to wear in a few months' time.

While we could easily scroll on social media, we went straight to the source to uncover what it is Parisians are reaching for in real time—specifically, which shoe trends they're into now. We chatted with the admin behind popular street style account @parisians.in.paris, who is always capturing the sneaky snapshots of people all over the City of Light. "The Parisian woman is full of surprises and extremely versatile," they shared. "This is my favorite aspect of street style in Paris. The same women can go from Uggs to Adidas Sambas to cowboy boots to chunky loafers to knee-high boots or Salomon sneakers." In other words, Parisian women rarely adhere to the stereotypes of French style—they have range.

Our insider continued to note that each time they spot these shoes, they're styled very differently, either dressed down or dressed up, at the supermarket or in the office. It's also about surprising shoe combinations: chunky loafers with baggy jeans, a pair of Sambas with a skirt, or cowboy boots with a sporty look. Ahead, discover the six shoe trends that are running rampant in Paris right now, and shop accordingly if you're so inspired.

woman in Paris wearing a blazer and slingback pumps

Photo:

The Style Stalker

Haute Couture week descended upon Paris once again last week, and as I was flipping through the street style snaps from the shows, there was one clear theme throughout the outfits I saw. Sleek slingbacks and point-toe pumps were clear favorites among showgoers who styled elegantly them with tights, skirts, and dresses.

Photo:

@erinoffduty

While not necessarily a new trend, Parisians are once again hooked on the classic appeal of knee-high boots. During Couture Week, we spotted plenty of glossy patent-leather and croc-embossed styles that give an elevated spin to the boots.

Photo:

@frannfyne

After the buzz around the recent Louis Vuitton men's fall 2024 show and the strong cowboy motif throughout it, we're already noticing an uptick in interest in Westerncore style. On the street in Paris, this is manifesting in the form of Western boots with cool buckle and grommet hardware.

Photo:

@emmanuellek_

At this point, nothing can trump the dominance of the Samba. The simple low-top sneakers just won't stop rearing their heads in Paris, and French women are getting ever more creative with how they're styling the sneakers, like wearing them with pretty A-line skirts that offer a surprising contrast to the shoes' sportiness.

Photo:

@salome.mory

I don't make the rules, but winter in Paris calls for Ugg boots. This one was a bit of a surprise given their adherence to more classic shoe styles, but according to our friend at @parisians.in.paris, French women can't resist the comfiness of a good pair of Uggs, a shoe style they're spotting all up and down the city.

Photo:

The Style Stalker

As much as French women like to test out a new trend, they're equally invested in the classics, and it's none other than penny loafers that they're prioritizing right now. We've been informed that loafers are going strong, but we can also confirm that there were plenty of loafer moments during Couture Week.

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