Best Shoes of 2023

As with clothing, footwear trends change from season to season and by location, so this guide offers general guidance on international trends: the shoe styles popular in recent years that were likely to remain trendy in 2023, judged from the fashion trends Apparel Search monitors. Trends are subjective and vary by region, personal style and designer influence - keep an eye on fashion magazines, runway shows and reputable fashion websites for the most current picture.

Five individual shoes photographed for the guide show where the trends landed: the Chloé Nama mixed media platform sneaker, the Gucci Judit peep-toe espadrille sandal, a red Prada Downtown low-top sneaker, a Cloudmonster running shoe for women, and the Saysh One sneaker. Between them they cover the year's two big stories - sneakers engineered like equipment, and sandals and platforms built for dressing up.

A row of fashionable shoes including chunky sneakers, platform sandals, Chelsea boots and pointed flats, with a small shoebox in the center printed with the words Apparel Search

Ten Trend Styles for 2023

Chunky sneakers - the “dad” sneaker - remained a significant trend for comfort and a bold, fashion-forward look, and platform shoes, from platform sneakers to sandals and boots, kept gaining popularity for adding height and edginess. Mules and slides became staples for ease of wear and versatility across casual and dressy outfits, while athletic sandals with adjustable straps and comfortable footbeds offered a practical, stylish warm-weather choice.

Pointed-toe flats gave a chic, sophisticated alternative to heels for professional and casual settings; sock sneakers, snug and minimal, were favorites for comfort and modern aesthetics; Chelsea boots, with elastic side panels and an ankle-length design, stayed timeless and versatile for men and women; combat boots with chunky soles added rebellion; square-toe heels brought a contemporary twist to a classic; and metallic accents added glam. The terminology guide to types of shoes defines the full family.

Five Shoes, Photographed

The Chloé Nama is a mixed media platform sneaker - the chunky-sneaker and platform trends combined in one shoe. The Gucci Judit is a peep-toe espadrille sandal, the dressy end of the sandal story. The Prada Downtown low-top sneaker, photographed in red, is the luxury house's clean take on the everyday sneaker, a counterpoint to the chunky school.

The Cloudmonster running shoe for women represents performance footwear crossing fully into fashion - maximal cushioning worn as a style statement as much as training equipment. The Saysh One sneaker completes the set as the minimalist everyday option. None of the five is a heel, a boot or a flat, which itself says something about 2023: the year's photographed best all sit in the sneaker-and-sandal half of the shoe wardrobe, even as the trend list above keeps boots, heels and flats in play.

Where to Shop: Women's Shoes

Zappos is the online specialist, with an extensive collection from casual to designer brands and a reputation for customer service, free shipping and easy returns. Nordstrom mixes luxury brands, athletic footwear and trendy styles at high-end and affordable prices; DSW offers a wide variety from athletic to fashion-forward at various price points; and Foot Locker is the go-to for athletic shoes and sneakers.

Aldo and Steve Madden focus on trendy, fashionable women's shoes - heels, sandals, boots and flats - while Saks Fifth Avenue curates high-end designer footwear. Schuh, UK-based and shipping internationally, covers popular brands and street-style favorites; ASOS offers a vast own-brand and multi-label selection; and Nine West mixes trendy and classic pumps, boots and sandals. The Apparel Search shoe stores directory lists many more.

Where to Shop: Men's Shoes, and Going Deeper

For men, Nordstrom ranges from casual sneakers to formal dress shoes and luxury brands; Foot Locker and Zappos and DSW cover athletic, casual and designer ground; Allen Edmonds is the premium dress-shoe name for high-quality classic designs; Clarks is renowned for comfortable desert boots and dress shoes; Adidas and Nike lead performance and lifestyle sneakers; Cole Haan blends comfort and style across dress shoes, sneakers and loafers; Vans supplies the iconic skate shoe; Sneakersnstuff specializes in sneakers online; and ASOS covers men's footwear broadly.

For trend direction, the shoe trends forecasting page tracks where styles are heading, the sneakers guide in Fashion Influence covers the year's dominant category, and the women's shoes guide works through women's styles type by type. These pages are kept as a historical 2023 record; store ranges change, so check each retailer for its current lines.

Common Questions

What shoe styles were trending in 2023?

Chunky sneakers, platform shoes, mules and slides, athletic sandals, pointed-toe flats, sock sneakers, Chelsea boots, combat boots, square-toe heels and metallic accents - comfort-led styles with bold soles led the year.

Which individual shoes does the 2023 guide photograph?

Five: the Chloé Nama mixed media platform sneaker, the Gucci Judit peep-toe espadrille sandal, a Prada Downtown low-top sneaker, a Cloudmonster running shoe for women, and the Saysh One sneaker.

Where should I shop for women's and men's shoes?

For women: Zappos, Nordstrom, DSW, Foot Locker, Aldo, Steve Madden, Saks Fifth Avenue, Schuh, ASOS and Nine West. For men: Nordstrom, Foot Locker, Zappos, DSW, Allen Edmonds, Clarks, Adidas, Nike, Cole Haan, Vans, Sneakersnstuff and ASOS.