2023 Fall Shoe Guide

It just wouldn’t be fall without a nice shoe guide, now would it? I am really excited for this year’s new styles as I feel like the last few year’s guides have looked a bit of the same shoes over and over. Look, most of the boots are going to be the same to some extent as they’ll always be in style. I also feel like new heel trends aren’t being shown this fall but flats, boots and sneakers are everywhere!  Do you find yourself searching for a pair of heels to buy? I certainly find myself wearing the ones I own occasionally but I’m just not shopping for them this season. (Let me know if this is different for you!) This fall has brought about a few new key trend pieces: the Sambas, the ballet Flat, the clog, the western trend, the moto trend and anything platform or outsole. Those are a lot of trends, but don’t worry — I’m breaking down the new trends and which pair to buy below!

(edited to add: I wanted to clarify above. I cleaned it up so it’s not just a stream of my consciousness. Heels are definitely still ‘in style’ as they are a core part of any wardrobe. However I am not seeing any new styles emerging for heels this fall like I am for boots and sneakers. If you’ve got a nude heel and black heel for fall, you’re good. There aren’t really any updates there. I feel like if you are a heel wearer, you’ve got your bases covered for fall so I wanted to share more of a trend report  on what’s new and trending this fall rather than a ‘capsule’ shoe guide, if that makes sense!)

I present my new 2023 Fall Shoe Guide!

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Adidas Sambas OG Sneakers  / New Balance Sneakers  / Veja Recife Sneakers / Chuck Taylor Converse 

DV Moto Boots / Marc Fisher Booties  / Dr. Martens Lace Boots  / Nordstrom Chelsea Lug Boot

Madewell Ballet Flat / Dr. Martens T-Bar Platforms  / Birkenstock Boston Clog / Ugg Ultra Mini Boot

Blondo Western Boot  / Schutz Stiletto Boot   / Vince Camuto OTK Boots / Laroude Classic Riding Boot

For time sake, I’m not going to go through every shoe on how to style because I feel like some of them we know how to style and maybe you just need a recommendation on which pair to buy, i.e. Sneakers, black booties, a Chelsea boot; but I do want to walk through a few of the newer or trickier styles like the western trend, the moto trend, and more.

Adidas Sambas

This pair is new to me — in fact I still haven’t bought this pair yet! I’ve been on the fence because I have a lot of white sneakers…do I really need a new pair? But that new pair is in the mail, so I guess I do. I’ve been seeing this trend for a minute and as always I want to see if it will stick. I’ve been seeing them everywhere — they are the shoe of the moment; on every celebrity, model, I mean Old Navy is using them on their models so yeah…they’re everywhere. If you are wanting the trend piece of the season, it’s the Adidas Sambas.

How to Style

I’ve not styled these yet (but they are headed towards me!) but the way to style this pair of sneakers is the same as how we’ve been doing sneakers in the past few years. AKA with everything. You can take the Reformation route and dress down a floral dress, skirt, etc. Wear them with straight leg or wide leg denim, where the denim breaks right about the shoe for that 2023 look. I’ll give you a run down once I get them! But basically it’s an updated white sneaker, so wear it Shakira style (whenever, wherever).

Here are a few outfits you could swap out with the Adidas Sambas:

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Chuck Taylor Converse

This season I’m recommending the black version of the Chuck Taylor Converse which is something I’ve been wanting to purchase. It is a classic shoe that gives that cool girl edge I’m always wanting to emit. Converse are going to give you that vibe without breaking the bank as well — they’re a classic shoe that works year round. I am loving the black sneakers this fall so I recommend going darker, especially if you already have a white sneaker like a Veja or the Sambas, mix it up with a darker sneaker this fall.

How to Style

Again I don’t have this pair…yet. It is my birthday this week after all, so who knows what will happen. 😉 But this pair is on my list and again I can make some outfits for you if you need some further inspiration! Basically with converse you want to keep it classic with a bit of masculine energy. Think button downs, sweatshirts, Moto jackets. To me they almost have a vintage feel, so keep it in the classics category. Any of these outfits below can be swapped out for black mid Converse sneakers!

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Moto Boots

I am obsessed with this look — I love the moot boot and I think this is only going to become more of a trend. I expect to see this as a very popular boot next season. I feel like there are just a few styles that are dipping their toe into this style and I love it. Much like the cowboy boot last fall, which are everywhere now, I find that’s how the Moto boot will go.

How to Style

If you are looking to switch up your boot look, this is a fun take this winter. You can wear it the same way you’ve been wearing your black booties, but it gives your outfit that edge. It’s the leather jacket of shoes — an instant additional 100 cool points are added to your outfit. For me, I want to go for a Moto boot that has a heel and a wider ankle opening, just to give myself the most wearability. Plus it’s a different look than my typical black bootie, so it really changes the vibe of any outfit.

I’ve not styled moto boots yet but any of these outfits below can be swapped out for a moto boot perfectly!

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Lace Up Platform Boots

How to Style

I would say this style is pretty specific to a person, so if you think this look isn’t for me — it might not be. If this boot is too risky, go with the classic bootie that can get you the same type of look and function but maybe not as edgy. These boots will forever scream 90s to me so I think take that prompt and run with it. Think dark hues, all black outfits, straight denim or a wide leg that breaks right at the laces, so you can see the boot. You can dress this up with tights and skirts as well this fall; black skater skirts, plaid skirts, etc. Take the feel of the 90s and mix it into the refinement of  style in 2023 with this boot. This is a fun trend and I can’t help but feel cool in this style. See how to style it below!

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Ballet Flat

Another hot trend of 2023: the ballet flat. Look I don’t know if I just didn’t wear them as hard as others did the first go-round but I am not triggered at all by this trend. I’ve embraced them like it’s the first time. My favorite pair being this Madewell one I’ve linked! Soft and easy to wear and I love the strap across the top, as it gives it an updated feel. A nice under $100 leather option!

How to Style

The biggest tip I have for styling ballet flats in a 2023 way, not a 2008 way, is to watch where your hem lands on your jeans or pants. You want to keep the break right at below the ankle, so that it skims the top of your foot but doesn’t touch the ground. I’ll show you some examples below. But overall a black ballet flat will be your option for when you don’t want to wear a bootie or heel. Think of them with an elevated look, not as a casual afterthought as we used to wear them. You can pair them with dresses, denim, etc. The ballet flat is a true millennial icon; the glow up is real.

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Mary Jane Platform

Now this style is a huge curve ball and I know it. If you are wanting to just risk it all on a shoe, it’s this one. I own this style and it STILL makes me nervous. But I like living on the edge and feeling slightly insecure about my shoe choice all day, so this is the shoe for me! I don’t know what came over me when I bought them but there is just something about them I love. Just a quick review: if you haven’t bought Doc Martens before, they leather is a stiffer leather on these. They are pretty structured, not necessarily uncomfortable but it’s a boot like fit. I will be wearing socks with these (those little frilly ones) until I switch to tights this winter. They are harder to unbuckle at first but with time they loosen. True to size fit, but please know with any platform from Doc Martens, they are a bit heavy. This is my calf workout for the day. Shop them here.

How to Style

I would style these in the same way I would a bootie — skirts, denim, dresses etc. The beige version of these shoes does make styling a bit harder but scroll up and see some white boot inspo — it’s not too bad just not as easy as a black shoe. I’ve not photographed these yet with the big camera but I’ll update this page when I do! For now, may I humbly offer you a few selfies 🙂

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mini ugg boot

How to Style

This little guy is more of my go-to for casual looks, think running errands, pick up, Saturday morning’s in the winter, etc. While not something that I wear all the time, it’s definitely my go to in the winter, or on those chilly fall days. How I style them is how I would a sneaker — with leggings, sweatpants or denim…but mainly leggings.  Let’s be honest. Leggings and Uggs are made for each other, meant to be, twin flame soulmates.

Shop them here.

 

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Western Boot

This is a style that has really reclaimed her place in history in a way I didn’t think would ever happen. Maybe it’s because I’m from Texas and I feel like a poser wearing cowboy…anything but this style is here to stay. I really like this Blondo pair from nordstrom for a few reasons — I like the color, it’s not saddle color which can read very country and the suede elevates the look even more. Highly versatile boot right here!

How to Style

I like to think of the western trend as the opposite of the moto trend; you can wear it in the same way you would wear the moto trend but on a different spectrum. These boots give a softer, warmer feel than a moto trend, which gives cool, edgy and dark — if that makes sense to you in the way it does to me. Western is warm, moto is cool. Western leans more feminine and moto leans more masculine. So you can pair it similarly but the vibe of your outfit is completely different. Think floral dresses, skinny jeans (you heard me) with them over the jeans and a lady jacket or a button down top with a more feminine feel, even a t-shirt with jeans and denim jacket with cowboy boots is a really cool look. If you want that trendy look in one pair of boots this season, western wear is that trend.

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Knee High Black Boots

How to Style

Now as you can see I prefer to style OTK with skirts and dresses but pairing with pants is also very cute. I guess I just never think to photograph it with pants BUT it’s a very cute look. You’ll just have to take my word for it. I like to keep things minimal and classic with tall black boots, letting the boots do all the talking.

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Classic Riding Boots

Always a classic, the brown riding boots are your go to for a classic look. I find this look to be my favorite look for fall, but can easily be worn throughout winter. There is just something about the saddle leather that screams autumn to me. Pair a classic riding boot with anything you’d pair a brown bootie with — denim, warm dresses or skirt, button downs, blazers etc. Think J.Crew and you’ll be good. In fact my favorite pair is from J.Crew! This pair is gorgeous, true to size and works for wider calves.

How to Style