We’re wrapping up Spring Trends Week 2026 today, but don’t worry. I’ll continue to share with you throughout March the fashion trends that you might enjoy incorporating into your wardrobe for spring. Today I’m rounding out our week with the women’s shoes that look most current and stylish for the upcoming season.
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Spring is usually a time to begin to bare a little ankle and lighten up our footwear. Next Wednesday I’ve scheduled a YouTube video about the shoes I recommend having in your closet as the days begin to warm up a little. But today I simply want to run through the hottest silhouettes and styles for the season.
Remember, shoes should accomplish something for your outfit. They can elongate your legs and create an uninterrupted line, bookend your outfit by repeating a color at the top (or the color of your hair), add interest to an otherwise pared back look or set the tone. The right shoes can make your outfit more cohesive and eye-catching, but the wrong shoes can destroy an otherwise nice look.
So while I think it’s a good idea to know what shoes are on trend for the season, this is one category in which we really need to be strategic. Think about your personal style angles and the style goals you generally set for your outfits. Then skim the footwear trends and choose accordingly.
Mary Janes
The traditional Mary Janes has taken a more sophisticated turn for Spring 2026. This feminine shoe is showing up looking a little more minimal and pared back this year.
How to Wear Mary Janes
If you’ve shied away from these trending shoes in the past but would like to give them a go, consider opting in with a pair in a flesh tone or other subtle neutral. Look for a clean silhouette and a minimal strap. But don’t hesitate to select some in the trending perforated suede or leather. And definitely don’t fudge on comfort. I have these Mary Jane flats and find them very comfortable and pretty on my foot.
Wear the Mary Janes stylishly with ankle length jeans and pants, as well as skirts and casual dresses. Honestly, I find that I had to “force myself” to wear them the first few times because they just didn’t feel like a safe choice. But after that, I began to enjoy them more and more.
Ballet Flats
We’re continuing to see a lot of ballet flat options for spring 2026. This ultra feminine shoe looks smart with ankle length jeans and pants, as well as dresses and skirts. Especially if you prefer not to wear heels of any kind, this dainty shoe might be a stylish option.
New Trend in Ballet Flats
This year we’re seeing a new silhouette dominate in this shoe (as well as slingbacks), and that’s the glove. The glove is really just a higher vamp on the shoe, usually culminating in a V at the top of the foot and often featuring a seam down the front from the V to the toe. The ballet flats above do feature this glove silhouette. Because the vamp is higher on the foot, they will show less of your skin when worn with pants. So I personally recommend keeping these in a skin color or other soft neutral. But you stay true to your personal style and goals. Also you’ll continue to see non-glove options available if you prefer those.
Boat Shoes
While I’m continuing to see boat shoes in the stores and hearing about them, I don’t know that they are going to be as on trend as last year. Last spring and summer we were hearing a lot about nautical themes, such as fisherman core. This year I haven’t heard similar “fish tales.” LOL! So I think boat shoes will definitely still be a stylish option for the season, but not as prevalent.
How to Style Boat Shoes
Wear boat shoes the same way you would loafers. You can wear them to set the tone of your outfit at a little more casual, as in the skirt and top outfit above. But you can still pair them with casual shorts and cropped pants as well.
Fashion Sneakers
When we talk fashion sneakers, we’re referring to the rubber sole shoes you wear for everyday life, not your workouts or power walks. The trend in fashion sneakers for spring 2026 (and into the summer and fall) is a more narrow and low profile shoe. Think field sneakers (soccer and field hockey) rather than running shoes. Or they may look like a retro track sneaker, if you’re familiar with that type of shoe.
How to Wear the Trending Fashion Sneakers
Truly, sneakers continue to be the hottest shoe in fashion. We’re seeing them worn in absolutely every kind of outfit. Brides are even walking down the aisle in them! I’m not suggesting your wear them with your Easter dress, mind you. But do step into wearing them with casual dresses and skirts with confidence. Especially if you know you’ll be doing a lot of walking, switch those flat Mary Janes or ballet flats for a comfortable, on trend sneaker for a truly appropriate and stylish look.
If you want to wear your fashion sneakers with full length jeans, consider that your jeans may need to be a little shorter than the ones you’ve been wearing with heeled booties. You don’t want your jeans to puddle around them. And your fashion sneakers will always look great with ankle length jeans and pants.
Loafers
Loafers continue to be a popular and fashionable choice to complete your jean and trouser outfits. You can also wear them with skirts and dresses, of course.
Trends in Loafers
This year expect to see a lot of soft loafer options since suede is continuing to trend into the warmer months. We’ll also see perforated options and a wide selection of white, ivory and beige loafers. But the traditional penny or horse bit loafer are also on trend options.
Slingback Kitten Heel & Flats
While traditional pumps and flats are perfectly good options, the slingback continues to be the on trend shoe. Fortunately shoe manufacturers have made great strides in creating slingbacks that actually stay on your foot as you walk and feel comfortable as you move.
Trends in Slingbacks
As in the ballet shoes mentioned above, the new glove silhouette has become a very fashionable option in slingbacks. Look for the higher vamp and V shape. I do think they look very interesting and something about them draws me in. But, again, I suggest tip-toeing into this trend with shoes in a flesh tone or soft neutral, especially if you will be wearing them with skirts and dresses.
We’ll continue to wear suede into the spring and summer this year. And expect to see a lot of animal print options, including exotics like snake skin, zebra and tiger. But don’t forget to have that essential flesh toned slingback in your closet. I just got in the new Una Slingback from M.Gemi and I’m in love. They fit beautifully true to size and come in several colors, but I have the sand suede, which I consider to be about as neutral as you can get. You can always use code KAY15 for 15% off at M.Gemi.
Transparent Mesh & Jelly Shoes
They’re back! The jelly shoes are trending again. Likewise, we’re seeing a lot of mesh fabric options, too. Oh, and perforations! And…nude shoes, those that make your foot look completely exposed. Yeah, I guess these are really four categories, but I’ve thrown them together for sake of saving space and time. The bottom line is that you’ll find so many shoes that bare the foot to some degree or other.
Let’s talk jelly!
The jelly shoes that we’re seeing this year are not the same as the ones you may have tried ten years ago or so. These are much more comfortable. Again, footwear manufacturers have made greats strides and I think you’ll actually enjoy these jelly-like options. They provide your outfit with a little more whimsy and definitely have a warm weather vibe. So they’re especially nice for vacation or casual outings.
Square Toe Shoes
While pointy toe silhouettes have dominated the shoe choices in recent years, we’re now seeing a return to the square toe shoes. Especially if you have problems wearing narrow toe shoes, these might be a lifesaver.
Look for squared off toes in a variety of shoe types, including ballet flats – like my Unas, Mary Janes, slingbacks and traditional pumps. Choose wisely and these shoes can be just as elongating as a pointy toe.
Statement Embellishments
And finally let’s talk statement embellishments. While it’s very on trend to create outfits that are a little more pared back and effortless looking, embellished shoes have stepped onto this minimalist platform in style. Especially if you like some oomph in your looks, wearing a shoe with a little something extra could be just the ticket.
We’re talking embellishments from studs and rhinestones to bows and flowers. If you enjoy details like these look for them on loafers, ballet flats, heels and even sandals.
By the way, speaking of sandals, I decided not to include those in our spring fashion forecast. When I lived in Arizona, I definitely started baring my toes early in spring. But I’m aware now that many women, including me, keep their toes in their shoes until late in the season. Plus, I’m just not seeing enough of them yet to share. So we’ll talk all things sandals in another month or so. Stay tuned!
If you enjoyed today’s spring women’s shoes forecast, be sure to check out the other blog posts and video in our Spring Trends Week 2026:
- Spring Fashion Colors Trending in 2026
- Spring Outfit Makers for 2026
- 5 Ways to Update Your Denim for Spring 2026
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Blessed for My Day
I’m so grateful for the community of women we have built here. You ladies are a joy to me. I hear from you often, and that is delightful. But I know from that correspondence that some of you are going through very hard things. I want you to know my heart hurts for you and I often pray for you. I want you to find resolution to your struggles and victories over your hard things.
But I have lived long enough to have had my own hard seasons. And I know that they don’t always end or get tied up with a pretty bow. Sometimes we have to adjust to a new normal that feels very uncomfortable and unpromising. That can feel like defeat…unless we know that the Lord accompanies us into that new space. Even if your hard thing continues, please know that there is treasure in the depths. Ask God to show it to you. Trust Him to bring good things even out of your pain and hardship.
Praise be to the Lord,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him. ~ Psalm 28:6-7
I love shoes.
Thank you for the BFMD.
Beautiful message. I enjoyed your video this week too. I like square toes in all shoes but pumps. Even though I live in Texas and it’s warm right now I won’t wear sandals till April. It can still be chilly in the morning.
I love ballet flats and slingbacks, and appreciate a square toe. And count me in for bows on my shoes. 😉
So many new options for shoes. Thank you!
So many wonderful shoes to choose from. I particularly love the Tortoise Liv sling back flats. The Spring Trends Week has been so enjoyable. Thanks for bringing all of these styles and options to our attention.
I’m happy to see such a variety of shoes…some of us can’t wear heels that are too high, or shoes that are too flat. I have always loved sling-backs and find kitten heels comfortable and dressy. Loafers are another favorite of mine , especially for spring and fall. I never liked bulky sneakers . The low profile shoes , I really like. I just purchased 3 new pr. of shoes – one of each of these and also a structured purse. Can’t wait to start wearing them and seeing what I have to style them with for spring.
Question on gym shoes. I wear Hokas all the time because I am walking the dog, riding a bike or in gym class. I do have fashion gym shoes but they are not comfortable as my Hokas. However they come in bright colors plus black and white. In an effort to buy a pair that would go with my jeans or other pants would you suggest black or white?
For spring and summer I would go with white or off white.