I'm Battling the Winter Blues—7 Shoe Color Trends to Lead Me into 2026
As winter is firmly established and the festive season approaches, I’ve been striving to prevent the grey days from affecting my mood. Typically linked to darker colors, this year, I'm aiming to add some brightness to my wardrobe—and my demeanor. My winter attire now features everything from cashmere cardigans in delightful pink hues to cozy chocolate suede bags, creating a blend of soft yet vibrant colors. With my knitwear updated and denim selection refined, I’m now focusing on the final area of my wardrobe that craves a splash of color: my shoes.
As someone who embraces vibrant colors and playful textures throughout the year, I was disheartened to find that my winter footwear collection seemed rather lackluster. I appreciate a beautifully simple pair of neutral shoes that pair well with everything, but sometimes these classic tones don’t always provide the uplift I seek. As the year ends, I’m looking forward, and as a fashion editor who is meticulous about wardrobe investments, any shoe colors I choose now must transition well through the years. Luckily, the autumn/winter 2025 runways are abundant with inspiration. From knee-high pirate boots in a delicious peanut butter shade at Miu Miu to stunning Bordeaux at Elie Saab, this season's collections have showcased a wealth of desirable colors in footwear.
Similarly, the high street has responded with numerous stylish shoes in vibrant, mood-boosting colors, as well as some classic neutrals reimagined in new textures and materials like glossy black vinyl—an upgrade from plain black leather. So, whether you're here to explore trends or ready to treat yourself to some cheerful footwear this winter, I’ve scoured the runways for you, and here are the seven shoe color trends I believe will dominate in winter 2025.
**The 7 Best Winter Shoe Color Trends of 2025:**
1. **Brilliant Bordeaux**
Style Notes: In case you missed it, burgundy is back in a major way. Timeless, elegant, and surprisingly versatile, this rich hue has been gradually making its way into the winter wardrobes of many of my favorite fashion icons. Elie Saab embraced this color fully, while Rabanne paired it with sleek, wet-look leggings, and Stella McCartney matched it with a grey cable-knit cardi reminiscent of Elphaba’s in Wicked: For Good, demonstrating its versatility.
**Shop Burgundy Shoes:**
- *Whistles Manny Slim Loafer* – A favorite among fashion enthusiasts.
- *Reformation Gaelle Knee Boot* – The delicate gold-buckle detail adds elegance.
2. **Peanut Butter**
Style Notes: Following Chemena Kamali’s spring/summer 2023 debut as Chloé’s creative director and the boho revival, brown shades have swept through fashion with force. In winter 2025, a lighter, almost peanut butter-colored tan is emerging. Notable designers like Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton have championed this softer hue. Recently, seeing It-girl Alexa Chung sporting Miu Miu's boots confirmed that this shade of brown is set to impact.
**Shop Peanut-Butter Shoes:**
- *MANGO Satin High-Heeled Sandals With Metallic Embellishment* – Adorable kitten heels.
- *Ralph Lauren Londyn Suede Slingback Flat* – A timeless addition to any wardrobe.
- *Miu Miu Leather Knee-High Boots* – If they’re good enough for Alexa, they’re good enough for me!
3. **Chartreuse**
Style Notes: After the lime-green trend from Charli XCX’s Brat Girl Summer of 2024, I thought we were moving on. However, Hailey Bieber’s chartreuse Pucci ensemble reignited my interest. This shade can lean toward sickly yellow, but on her, it appeared ethereal with a stylish edge. When Tom Ford featured the hue in luxurious satin on the A/W 25 runway, I realized this citrus color was not just a fleeting trend but something to watch moving forward.
**Shop Chartreuse Shoes:**
- *The Fold Treviso 80 Heel Rich Ochre Velvet* – I might be obsessed with these!
- *Twinset Pointed-Toe Mules 35* – Statement-making without sacrificing comfort.
4. **Back to Black**
Style Notes: It cannot be overstated that black shoes are always a wise footwear investment. This winter, I’m opting for black shoes in high-shine vinyl. Designers like Saint Laurent and Prada have shown how versatile this glossy color can be, pairing it with a variety of outfits in a look that feels lavish and modern.
**Shop Black Vinyl Shoes:**
- Timeless loafers also available in burgundy.
- *MANGO Patent Leather High-Heeled Shoes With Metal Detail* – Simple yet impactful pieces.
- *Reformation Aurelie Knee Boot* – A size-up is
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I'm Battling the Winter Blues—7 Shoe Color Trends to Lead Me into 2026
Here come the colors.