You're Not Imagining It—Everyone Is Wearing "Boring" Shoes, Especially These 5 Trends

Shop the styles that'll be everywhere in 2026.

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Influencers wearing 2026 shoe trends
(Image credit: @annabelrosendahl; @amaka.hamelijnck)
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If you want your outfits to look the most 2026, take my advice and ditch the ornate shoes. Sure, there are exceptions, but for the most part, shoe trends right now are looking pretty, well, dull—but in a good way. Complicated shoes with lots of bells and whistles have fallen by the wayside as the fashion crowd and celebrities have deemed pared-down shoes in the vein of The Row's offerings to be the overarching theme when it comes to shoe trends right now.

If you love the '90s minimalist style of celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Zoë Kravitz, you're not alone. My Instagram feed is filled with influencers and editors who are dressing in a similar aesthetic as of late, and their shoes have a lot to do with that. Below, I've pinpointed five specific trends that are admittedly boring, yet so very chic. If I had to guess, I predict you'll be wearing them for years to come, unlike the trendier styles that come and go. Keep scrolling to see IRL examples of each trend on a handful of very well-dressed women, and shop the "boring" trends for your own shoe collection.

Minimalist Ballet Flats

Take it from Kendall Jenner—minimalist ballet flats (sans bows) are the style to shop for in 2026. Versions made of soft leather and a high vamp are the most directional.

influencer wearing minimalist ballet flats

(Image credit: @amaka.hamelijnck)

Shop Minimalist Ballet Flats

Old-School Loafers

If you're shopping for a new pair of loafers, look for simple styles that are devoid of logos and any other trendy details. Just a simple pair of leather or suede loafers is all you need right now.

influencer wearing loafers

(Image credit: @cocoschiffer)

Shop Old-School Loafers

Slingback Kitten Heels

An easy way to make any outfit look elegant is to wear it with a pair of slingback kitten heels. They're appropriate year-round and for any time of day or night. Consider it a sound investment every time you order a pair.

influencer wearing slingback kitten heels

(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Shop Slingback Kitten Heels

Slipper Mules

There's something about a backless mule that just looks so effortless, and if you choose an elevated pair in leather, suede, or even satin, they'll also look quite polished. No one will mistake this trend for actual bedroom slippers—trust me.

influencer wearing flat slipper mules

(Image credit: @annabelrosendahl)

Shop Slipper Mules

Classic Black Pumps

I'm not sure that there's a heel more "boring" than a pair of plain black pumps. But they're the perfect finishing touch to so many outfit formulas, and they'll truly never go out of style—hence their popularity.

influencer wearing classic black pumps

(Image credit: @anoukyve)

Shop Classic Black Pumps

Allyson Payer
Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater arts. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.