New York Fashion Week Guests Swapped Snow Boots for These Spring Shoe Trends
This is the definition of fashion over function.
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Fashion Week is underway in New York City, and this season, the new fall collections have come with a side of frigid, wet weather. The early days of the week coincided with an overnight snowstorm and rainy conditions. However, much of New York's fashion set opted for unconventional winter shoes—like sky-high heels—rather than protective rain or snow boots.
Wedges were spotted alongside slingbacks and peep-toe mules (another burgeoning spring footwear trend), while famously water-adverse fabrics like suedes, leathers, and ballet core-inspired satin were at every turn.
Keep scrolling for enough New York Fashion Week outfit inspiration to hold you over until showgoers descend on London, Paris, and Milan. I’ve also found plenty of pieces to shop so you can also master the art of the controversial winter footwear.
Suede Knee-High Boots
Brown suede boots were an unexpected choice for showgoers who stepped out in wet, frigid weather.
The fashion set proved in droves that suede knee-high boots are a fall and winter must-have. However, they opted for a high heel instead of a pragmatic flat-footed sole. The most popular hue was a deep mousse-y brown, perfect for styling monochromatically with other chocolate accessories.
Skimpy Slingback Stilettos
Slingback heels are classic silhouette facing a bold comeback this season.
Slingback-style heels have been trending for a few months now, so it makes sense that attendees all but lived in them at Fashion Week. The most popular shade was a just-bitten red, although I also found them in an equally trendy burgundy hue.
Peep-Toe Heels
Mules are a spring trend that's bound to hang around for fall.
Peep-toe heels have been returned from the early aughts for spring. They're the perfect happy medium between a closed-toe pump and a traditional sandal.
Strappy Summery Sandals
When styled over tights, strappy sandals cosplay as winter shoes.
Maybe the most contentious of these already controversial shoe trends was the appearance of strappy sandals despite the frigid temperatures. Outside of the Calvin Klein show, toe-bearing sandals were styled with sheer tights for a touch of coverage.
Sky-High Wedges
Wedges offer more stability than a classic stiletto.
Another hack for (slightly) less painful heels? Opting for a wedge. The trendy silhouette was another fashion insider favorite this season. They also give wearers in New York a touch more stability when trekking on the icy, wet streets.
Satin Ballerina Styles
Balletcore has been a trend for some time now, but given the snowy weather, it was an unexpected choice on the street outside of the Fall 2025 collections,. The look was most popular at shows like Sandy Liang, where the girlhood aesthetic still rages on.
Satin pumps are better saved for days when snow and rain aren't in the forecast.
Printed Boots
At New York Fashion Week, clashing prints are encouraged.
There are no boring boots here! The maximalist options spotted this season at fashion week came in animal prints, like leopard, zebra, and snakeskin. These prints were popular among the street-style, who mixed them with pieces in other colorful patterns.
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