11 Minimalist Footwear Styles to Make the Centerpiece of Your Fall Wardrobe | Vogue

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It’s a brand new season and we’re approaching shopping with a minimalist lens—searching for pieces that will outlast fleeting trends and, instead, become core items to be worn season after season. When it comes to shoes, we’re focusing on pared-back, minimalist footwear options from brands like The Row and Mango to Prada and Miu Miu. As temperatures continue to dwindle, stick to a core foundation of wardrobe essentials, starting with a sleek loafer, Mary Jane, or slip-on mule, to make getting dressed—and looking put together—as fuss-free as possible.

The best way to describe the footwear trends dominating 2024 is practical, but never lacking interest. The fall/winter collections showcased a mature sense of femininity, punctuated by unfussy, yet pragmatic qualities. When curating an uncomplicated, minimalist footwear collection, you can never go wrong with a black flat. The style has a long list of admirers that includes celebrities like Zoë Kravitz, who leans on The Row’s coveted ballerina’s often, and Phoebe Dynevor with her penchant for flat Mary Janes. The tidal wave of ’90s nostalgia continues with contemporary pumps lacking embellishments but never skimping on details; like Bottega Veneta’s sculptural wedge or Yuni Buffa’s quilted, vintage-inspired pump. For added height, consider a knee-high boot, from Cos’s affordable square-toe pair to Toteme’s chocolate brown pair, made for autumnal dressing.

There are more playful takes on minimalism, too. Start with a shearling slipper that teams toned-down tastes with eccentrics. Notable fuzzy flats from Simone Rocha and Staud transition from day to night effortlessly, while Proenza Schouler’s pairs perfectly with both suiting and denim looks. Also on our most-wanted list are kitten heels, which help achieve that low-key polished look we so desire; the same goes with sleek pairs of smoking loafers from Bally to Tod’s. There’s plenty of modern minimalist footwear to shop now, proving that stealth tones aren't dissipating anytime soon. Shop 11 of the best styles, from slip-ons to ankle boots, below.

These aren’t the sky-high stilettos of yesteryear—no, they’re micro heeled and easy to walk in, day in, day out. These pumps are neutral in color, sculptural and sensible. Find them in varying shades of brown from Mango and The Row, or opt for stark white styles from Prada and Yuni Buffa.

Yuni Buffa

Roma quilted leather pumps

MODA OPERANDI

Prada

brushed leather cut-out pumps

PRADA

Bottega Veneta

Lewis block-heel pumps

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Mango

square-toe shoes

MANGO

The Row

Prudens brown heels

SSENSE

MYTHERESA

Proenza Schouler

Tee pumps

SHOPBOP

Mary Janes are now synonymous with girlhood for some, but this season they’ve received a ladylike revamp. For all your minimalist footwear needs, there are classic patent leather styles from Le Monde Beryl and Emme Parsons, while buckle-detail options from Tory Burch and Bottega Veneta add subtle hardware to traditional silhouettes.

Emme Parsons

Tramonto mary jane flats

SHOPBOP

NET-A-PORTER

Le Monde Beryl

Luna ballet flats

NET-A-PORTER

The Row

Boheme leather mary jane ballet flats

NET-A-PORTER

THE ROW

Tory Burch

multi-buckle mary janes

TORY BURCH

Bottega Veneta

Astaire mary jane flats

SSENSE

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Cos

pleated leather mary jane flats

COS

While chunky loafers are always an option, this season we’re favoring sleeker pairs. The options are endless, with simple black pairs from Tod’s, Loeffler Randall and Bally. And then there are contemporary finds, like Miu Miu’s brown patent leather or G.H Bass’s chocolate suede pair.

Bally

Pathy leather loafers

LUISA VIA ROMA

Tod's

Gommino suede loafers

NET-A-PORTER

Hereu

Alber loafers

SSENSE

Loeffler Randall

Rachel leather loafers

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Miu Miu

crimson leather loafers

MIU MIU

NORDSTROM

Gucci

Jordaan loafers

GUCCI

With a cooler season quickly approaching, you don’t have to give up the ease of a flip flop or casual sandal thanks to fall’s range of slip-on shoes. When teamed with a cashmere sock, Marsell’s, Bembein’s and Saint Laurent’s styles will surely suffice. These options can easily blend into an uncomplicated wardrobe of essentials.

Marsèll

Sfoglia loafers

SSENSE

The Row

Hugo suede easy mules

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Veronica Beard

Catherine leather mule

VERONICA BEARD

Saint Laurent

Lido slip-on crepe mules

YSL

NEIMAN MARCUS

Miu Miu

Sienna suede slippers

MIU MIU

Bembien

Faye mule

BEMBIEN

No fall capsule wardrobe is complete without a pair of knee-high boots. This fall and winter, we’re sporting (and shopping) smooth styles from Gucci and Reformation to Mango and Banana Republic. Styling-wise, we’re wearing ours with leather midiskirts, knitted dresses, and even tailored trousers.

Cos

square-toe leather knee-high boots

COS

Reformation

Remy knee boot

REFORMATION

Mango

leather boots

MANGO

Toteme

leather knee boots

NET-A-PORTER

MODA OPERANDI

Gucci

Horsebit knee-high boot

GUCCI

Banana Republic

italian leather over-the-knee boots

BANANA REPUBLIC

A shoe that will never again go out of style? The ballet flat. As it goes with most things in the minimalist category, neutrals reign supreme—though we love a burst of color. Shop pared-back styles from Everlane and Margaux, or whimsical interpretations from Free People and Toteme, cast in siren red and crinkled cream.

Madewell

The April ballet flat

MADEWELL

Toteme

gathered leather ballet flats

NET-A-PORTER

SSENSE

The Row

Awar ballerina flat

THE ROW

NEIMAIN MARCUS

Free People

Aurora flats

FREE PEOPLE

Everlane

The Day ballet flat

EVERLANE

Margaux

Demi espresso ballet flats

MARGAUX

With a micro-heel height, the shoe style defines everyday elegance. This fall, wear the staple with a cozy piece of knitwear and a pair of stirrup leggings, oversized suiting or a classic white t-shirt and denim pairing—the stylistic opportunities are endless. Offerings from Emme Parsons and Massimo Dutti to Gucci and Aeyde are nothing short of outstanding.

Aeyde

Judie suede pumps

NET-A-PORTER

SSENSE

Emme Parsons

Leandra patent t-strap kitten heels

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Banana Republic

vegan leather slingback kitten heels

BANANA REPUBLIC

The Row

Liisa kitten heel

THE ROW

Massimo Dutti

mesh heeled shoes

MASSIMO DUTTI

Miu Miu

patent leather slingbacks

MIU MIU

BERGDORF GOODMAN

With more and more designers reinterpreting the coveted mule shape with flat soles, cone heels, and ultra-sharp pointed toes, it’s clear that this minimalist footwear option isn’t going anywhere. Shop flat versions from Saint Laurent and The Row, or opt for height with Neous and Prada.

Saint Laurent

Le Loafer 05 mules

NEIMAN MARCUS

Neous

Matar satin mules

NET-A-PORTER

Bottega Veneta

Cha-Cha vinyl heeled mules

LUISA VIA ROMA

Zara

satin-effect heeled mules

ZARA

The Row

Dante leather slides

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Prada

satin mules

PRADA

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

The Burberry spring 2024 show in London proved that fuzzy footwear is no longer exclusive to fur-lined loafers, but the new options are designed in a pared-back lens. Even the quiet luxury crowd isn’t immune to a little fur, with offerings from Proenza, Staud, and Miu Miu ripe for the season.

The Row

Vincit slip ons

THE ROW

Proenza Schouler

Tee suede flats

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Miu Miu

shearling ballerinas

MIU MIU

FRWD

Staud

Alba fur trim ballet flat

STAUD

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Maria Luca

Augusta faux fur ballerina flats

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Simone Rocha

faux fur crisscross ballerina flats

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Ladylike and alluring, the slingback is another mainstay in our wardrobes—summer or fall. For those looking for current definitions, opt for Zara’s zebra-print, Neous’s brown slingback or Toteme’s glossy wedge.

Toteme

The Wedge heel slingback

SSENSE

Coach

Rowyn slingback pumps

SHOPBOP

Mango

kitten heel leather shoes

MANGO

Saint Laurent

Babylone embellished slingback flats

NET-A-PORTER

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Neous

Atlas leather slingback flats

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Zara

animal print slingbacks

ZARA

Similarly to the knee-high boot, an ankle boot is a fall wardrobe essential. There’s a flat, walkable version from Hereu, which features a soft composition, or sleek heeled iterations from Aeyde and Neous.

Hereu

Julio soft leather ankle boots

BERGDORF GOODMAN

SSENSE

The Row

zipped boot in suede

THE ROW

LUISA VIA ROMA

Proenza Schouler

Trap ankle boots

PROENZA SCHOULER

Aeyde

Sofie suede ankle boots

NET-A-PORTER

Neous

Rami leather boots

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Banana Republic

suede ankle boots

BANANA REPUBLIC