The rumors are true: Fashion is transporting us back to 2016. For proof, look no further than the nostalgic shoe trends making a comeback. After seasons and seasons of minimalism and quiet luxury, consumers are returning to a more expressive way of clothing themselves in 2026, and they’re starting from the feet up. 

“There’s a real appetite right now for dressing with more emotion and intention, and less interest in things that feel disposable,” says Miista CEO and founder Laura Villasenin. “It’s all about balance: Soft but strong, familiar yet a little unsettling, traditional but rebellious. That contrast feels very honest — it’s how people want to show up now. You can be refined and strange all at once.”

There are a slew of shoe trends making waves in the new year. From 3D flowers at Dior and Proenza Schouler that look like they were picked by hand, to gothic details fueled by brands like Alexander McQueen, as well as inspiration derived from this year’s color trends and Margot Robbie’s stellar Wuthering Heights press run, this season’s footwear is all about using your wardrobe to convey who you are to the world.

“For a lot of people heading into 2026, that kind of dressing feels empowering — choosing pieces with character, story, and a point of view, rather than just following what’s next,” Villasenin says. However, don’t just take our word for it. Keep reading for a list of subversive shoe trends that will make your outfits feel very now indeed.

Between the promotion campaign for Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights movie and a very specific shade of dark plum noir trending upward, 2026 is all about dark romance. This includes goth-inspired footwear with buckles, grommets, studs, and witchy lace-up vamps. Margot Robbie recently donned a pair of edgy rosary sandals from the new Alexander McQueen collection during her expectedly epic press run, while Studio Constance and Skall Studio embraced the edge with deconstructed ballet flats and lattice detailing during Copenhagen Fashion Week. Meanwhile, Miista showed a lineup of striking silhouettes for spring 2026 that certainly fit the bill — and come with New York City first lady Rama Duwaji’s seal of approval. 

“Our designs often sit outside traditional ideas of ‘prettiness,’ favoring strong, sculptural shapes and an outsider energy that resonates with people who see fashion as a form of self-expression rather than a way of fitting in,” says Villasenin. And while Miista shoes may be polarizing, she adds that is precisely the point: “The ‘ugly’ or ‘weird’ label is not just about provocation for its own sake but more about doing things differently –– challenging fashion’s business-as-usual practices and creating pieces with care, intention, and longevity.”

Glove pumps were initially popular during the 1980s, and earned an aughts-era revival thanks to the hipster set. Designers have since adapted that nostalgic V-cut silhouette to complement flats and strappy sandals, too. Brands of all sizes, including heritage fashion houses like Balenciaga and Chanel, are embracing a high vamp for 2026 to accentuate the shape of the wearer’s foot. Cool-girl labels like Moschino, Khaite, and The Attico took a bolder approach with playful animal prints and exaggerated features. The key to successfully pulling these shoes off IRL is wearing them with leg-baring hemlines like skirts and dresses, allowing your footwear to really shine through.

Last year’s boxing boot trend set the stage for a  more prim and polished throwback in 2026. Enter the sock boot. Perhaps you remember the 2016 version of this boot, and how the structureless silhouette looks great with pretty much anything. Opting for a leather or suede pair à la Courreges, Lemaire, and Ann Demeulemeester will earn you plenty of sartorial mileage. Those looking for something playful should opt for a floppy moccasin style like the sock boots from the Louis Vuitton runway. Either way, layer these kicks under dresses or wide-leg pants for well-balanced proportions.

If you needed confirmation that 2026 is the new 2016, the resurgence of PVC footwear really seals the deal. It feels like just yesterday that see-through heels and boots were everywhere. They’re now back thanks to the likes of Chloé and Maison Margiela — the latter of whom updated their signature Tabi shoes with a nearly invisible outline. Take styling cues from Loewe by layering colorful hosiery underneath your PVC shoes for a dynamic look that you can customize again and again.

Stilettos not your thing? Try sculptural wedges as an equally glamorous alternative. This season, Isabel Marant and Lanvin seamlessly blended practicality and style with discreet and manageable heel heights. Balmain and DSquared2’s interpretations offer stark contrasts, with phantom heels and thigh-high shafts that are a lot more wearable than you may think. Subtle yet artful details bring a necessary update to an otherwise retro silhouette. Leverage your next pair of wedges to give longline trousers and floor-sweeping dresses an instant lift.

Gone are the days of chunky, dad sneakers dominating the market. Their replacement is both sleek and malleable for the seasons ahead. Soft sneakers are having a huge moment, both on and off of the runway, with designers like Dries Van Noten, Prada, and Jacquemus leveraging stripes and satin to create a derby-like effect. Miu Miu has your next vacation covered with a canvas and jute style that will take you from beach to street with ease. Looking for a mid-range option? Alo’s retro-inspired Sunset sneaker has become a fan favorite among influencers and editors alike. The best part about these shoes is their versatility; wear them with everything from tailored trousers and flared leggings to an off-duty dress.

While Loewe and Cult Gaia have been producing floral heels for a few seasons, three-dimensional petals are popping up all over the runway in a way that feels fresh for 2026. Replacing graphic prints, this modern take gives wearers a life-like look without the maintenance or mess that a real flower would require. Brands like Proenza Schouler, Christian Dior, and Rabanne incorporated colorful appliqués into their latest collections. Whether you pick giant blooms or tiny sequined posies, your outfit will be ready for spring.

Slip-on shoes are timeless, but when designed with a prominent toe shape that protrudes from underneath pants and long dresses, they can feel a lot more of the moment. Statement mules from Victoria Beckham and Acne Studio’s respective collections from spring 2026 are prime examples of 2010s nostalgia with a modern twist. 

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Fashion is starting to undergo a major shift. In 2026, as with beauty moving away from the pared-down “clean girl” makeup trend, fashion is moving away from the mainstream minimalism of recent years. In its place is a moodier and maximal sensibility. What does this mean for jeans? Denim trends are going to inspire you to have way more fun as you get dressed in the months ahead.

One theme in particular is ruling over all popular 2026 denim: exaggeration. Prepare to take up space in baggy, inflated silhouettes with playful proportions. “Comfort is a huge factor, but there’s also something about the relaxed look that just feels more modern right now,” Pistola Denim founder Grace Na tells Refinery29.

Skinny jeans aren’t completely out of the picture — don’t let us stop you if they’re your favorites — but tight, figure-hugging styles certainly won’t be dominating the conversation this year. Ultimately: “Jeans should flex with how you feel, where you’re going, and who you want to be that day or even that moment of your day,” L’Agence fashion director Tara Rudes Dann says. 

Ahead, meet the top 2026 denim trends to welcome into your wardrobe, as well as some useful shopping picks. But this isn’t an experiment you have to test alone: We spoke to the forces behind some of our favorite brands to break down the looks, why they’re popular, and how to style them.

Barrel-leg jeans came into the zeitgeist just a few years ago as a funky denim trend with questionable longevity. Yet naysayers should take heed that this silhouette is very much here to stay. This fashion-forward style features a very noticeable curve from the hip to the ankle, and that distinct shape is only going to keep getting more visible in the months ahead.

It’s worth noting that barrel jeans are also sometimes called a horseshoe or balloon jean, though the latter is a more exaggerated version of the look. “It plays with volume in a really fresh way and adds a bit of fashion energy without feeling too intimidating,” Pistola’s Na says of the barrel-adjacent balloon.

Rather than intimidate you, you might find that barrel jeans are incredibly versatile when it comes to styling. Pair them with a blazer, polo shirt, and heels for an office-ready look, or try them with a cool-girl leather jacket and sneakers for brunch with friends.

We’ve been seeing lots of volume in pants and jeans from plenty of brands, so it’s no surprise that wide-leg denim will be all over your social feeds and in your favorite stores in 2026. This comfortable cut was, after all, the viral opening look in Chanel’s Métiers d’art 2026 show — you know, the one held in a New York City subway station. Rather than hugging the body anywhere, this year’s class of wide-leg jeans shoot out from the waistband. These baggier silhouettes look great on everyone, and especially for petite wearers, a higher-sitting waist can help elongate the legs.

“The baggy jean can be styled with a heel for a tailored look or worn with a sneaker for a weekend-ready look,” Paige co-founder and creative director Paige Adams-Geller says. The degree of baggy? Well, that’s buyer’s choice, and there’s a range of what’s available.

Skinny jeans may not be as ubiquitous as they were during the hipster heyday of the 2010s, but skinny-ish silhouettes are still in vogue. Straight-leg and cigarette jeans (darlings of the ‘80s and ‘90s) are the top nominees here. Though these two silhouettes are very similar, thanks to their slim fit that goes straight down the leg, they differ in one key spot: cigarette jeans taper at the ankle.

The range of trends in the denim space are also a net positive for both your closet and a denim brand’s creativity. “It is exciting for us as designers but also for women because they can wear whatever suits them,” Tim Kaeding, co-founder of Mother, tells Refinery29. “It isn’t like previous decades where one fit is dominating everything. It really is a cross-section between skinny and baggy.”

Straight-leg and cigarette jeans work best in outfits that are all about clean lines — for one such example, look to Valentino’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection. Try adding a structured blazer or, for balance, a soft cardigan. If you’re on the shorter side, it can be extra helpful to have these jeans tailored at the hem to ensure there’s no pooling at your feet. In a pinch, wearing heels or using some iron-on hemming tape can also help.

Mirroring the longer and looser denim styles ruling the year, skirts are going midi and maxi. (If you love your denim mini skirt, simply stash it in storage — we’re sure it’ll come back in a few years.) The coolest denim skirts feature unique details like cool-enhancing asymmetric hems. Gravitating toward a more classic shape? Try a new-to-your-closet denim wash to mix things up.

There are endless ways to style these skirts, whether girly, sporty, or something else. We like pairing ours with a moto jacket and combat boots for some edge. A button-up, on the other hand, projects a more polished vibe.

Raise your hand if you got  rid of any bootcut jeans you had left over from the early aughts. (We did too.) Yet, while the style is one of the major denim trends to watch in 2026, the new class of bootcut styles is far more modern than the jeans of yore. Instead of a distinct slim-to-flare cut, the refreshed bootcut is more subtle. Best of all, comfortable high-waisted styles are as easy to source as low-rise inseams that all but scream “Y2K.” 

“She’s confident, sexy and incredibly flattering,” L’Agence’s Rudes Dann says of the style. After all: “women want jeans that celebrate curves and command attention.”

Making bootcut jeans feel current is also about how you style them — and no, you aren’t expected to only wear them with boots. Rock these jeans with loafers or pointed-toe heels for an elevated silhouette. For a more casual outfit, pair them with a white T-shirt, cool jacket, and skinny-soled sneakers.

Your legs aren’t the only place where denim can make a maximum impact. Expect to see designers use the material for shirts, dresses, and accessories in 2026. 

Want to rock a Canadian tuxedo or channel Britney Spears’ iconic denim-princess ballgown? That’ll be easier than ever as brands continue to crank out shoes, bags, and outerwear all made with denim. Denim cowboy boots? Yes, (and thank you, Beyoncé). A crossbody bag made from the same material? Never no.

“Denim jackets are showing up in sharper shapes in addition to the classic jean jacket,” Rudes Dann says of the all-denim everything trend of 2026. “Think bomber silhouettes and tailored blazers that feel structured but still easy and chic.”

Think of today’s most popular jorts — a portmanteau for jean shorts — as wide-leg denim… for warmer weather. This style, which usually fits loose and hits below the knee if not right above it, is a seasonal interpretation of this year’s theme of comfort and ease. Style these with a snug shirt for proportional balance, or wear them with an oversized graphic tee to go full Adam Sandler.

Understated and unembellished jeans won’t ever lose their luster, but denim with an extra bit of flair is quickly becoming a favorite for the style-obsessed. Utility-inspired styles, like carpenter jeans, are staying mainstream, as are spunky styles that are decked out in embellishments. Pair these with a basic tee, jacket, and kicks to really let the jeans shine.

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