10+ Outdated Shoe Styles to Consider Replacing, Along with Modern Alternatives

Fashion is constantly changing, but it’s important to keep abreast of new trends when it comes to shoes. This part of a wardrobe can spoil even the best outfit. So how can we spot an outdated style that we shouldn’t bring into the new season? And what can replace high heels, suede over-the-knee boots, sandals with a thin sole, and other shoes that were trending a couple of years ago? You’ll find the answers to these questions in our article!

Bright Side took a closer look at runway shoe styles and spotted the trends that will dominate on the red carpet and in everyday life in 2020. And at the end of the article, you’ll find a bonus feature that will surprise you with a comeback of long-forgotten fashion trends.

1. Accessories

In 2020, shoes turned into an accessory that can replace both jewelry and precious stones. The models from the fashion houses of Prabal Gurung, Peter Pilotto, Balmain, Bottega Veneta, and Simone Rocha wore chains, crystals, and pearls on their legs while walking the runway. If you like this trend, you can just replace straps on your shoes with chains instead of buying a new pair.

2. Summer shoes with fur

Do you remember the famous sabo shoes with fur by Gucci? Despite the fact that these shoes look a bit weird, they managed to stay in many people’s wardrobes for several years. But the era of fur slippers has come to an end and as an alternative, Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Altuzarra, Dries Van Noten, Ralph & Russo, Simone Rocha, and JW Anderson created high heels with fur and feathers.

3. Velvet

This is the perfect example of when one impractical material gets replaced by another. Today, the atlas fabric has replaced velvet. You need to walk very carefully in such shoes, trying to protect them from dirt and things that can be very difficult to clean off of them. But you can create an incredibly chic and feminine look with these types of shoes, just like the ones that appeared in fashion shows by Zimmermann, Miu Miu, Dries Van Noten, Proenza Schouler, Simone Rocha, and Giambattista Valli.

4. Shoes with a rounded toe

Rounded-toe flat shoes are an outdated style that can make any editor of a fashion magazine yawn. This spring, we should be brave enough to at least go for pointy-toe shoes like ones that Gucci, Haider Ackermann, Saint Laurent, and Michael Kors Collection offer us. But squared-toe shoes like the ones from Miu Miu, Proenza Schouler, and DROMe will be at the peak of popularity.

5. Closed-heel shoes

Until recently, no celebrity appeared on a red carpet event without fashionable closed-toe heeled shoes. But now, the style from the ’50s with an open heel, otherwise known as a slingback, is back in fashion. This spring, fashion designers like Coach, Louis Vuitton, Proenza Schouler, and Tory Burch suggest conducting various experiments with these shoes boasting a design that was initially developed by Christian Dior. They came up with their unusual heels, numerous decorating elements, and bright colors that you can play with while experimenting. Pastel colors are also a great option.

6. Straps

Pump shoes with a stripe in the middle that connects the toes with the ankle strap used to be the most desirable style a couple of years ago. But everything is changing, and this year, it’s time to remember the “gladiator” sandal. You could see these shoes with different types of lacing in almost every fashion show not too long ago. For example, Versace, Simone Rocha, Christian Dior, Valentino, Longchamp, Toga, Elisabetta Franchi, Etro, Givenchy, GCDS, and Missoni featured such shoes in their collections.

7. Mules

The rule of 2020 is that mule shoes are out of fashion while sabo shoes are on-trend. But who can tell the difference between these 2 styles? Sabo shoes always have a thick sole and never have a thin heel. Fashion designers Marc Jacobs and Anna Sui advise wearing shoes with thin soles on the beach, and higher shoes when you’re walking in the city.

8. Sandals with flat insoles

The Michael Kors Collection, Gabriela Hearst, Anna Sui, Erdem, and Valentino suggest starting a new decade from a high point — or rather, a platform. And the higher it is, the better! If you want to have the most fashionable shoe style ever, it’s better to choose a pair with rattan soles.

9. Transparent shoes

We’re surprised that transparent shoes have managed to stay popular for this long. They’re uncomfortable, displeasing to the eyes, not ecologically-friendly, and now, they aren’t fashionable either. This weird trend was replaced by shoes with voluminous details and they’re pretty interesting. “Bulging” sandals created by Bottega Veneta, Proenza Schouler, Issey Miyake, A.W.A.K.E. MODE, and Natasha Zinko make us want to touch the footwear and then buy a pair for ourselves immediately!

10. Ankle boots in neutral colors

The previous rule applies to ankle boots as well. Famous designers like Jeremy Scott and Coach are trying to create the brightest mood possible and are telling us to forget about the everyday beige, brown, and black colors — at least for now.