The Outdated Shoe Trends To Avoid In Fall 2024

Sorry, boo, but summertime is nearly over. Sun-drenched beach days and fruity cocktails on the patio are coming to an end — and your summer wardrobe with it. Instead, open your arms to colorful foliage, frothy pumpkin spice lattes, and, best of all, a fall-ready wardrobe. There's no better way to begin the new season than by reorganizing your closet to prepare for cable-knit sweaters and your favorite pair of boots. This fall, shoe trends call for understated footwear options, and the following assortment of heel trends and details, including platforms, busy designs, and kitten heels, failed to make the list.

It's still too early to pinpoint what all the it-girls will be wearing, but it's safe to say you won't catch any of them walking around in these outdated trends. 

It's time to say goodbye to your Lizzie McGuire flip-flops and all-purpose platform mules as we embrace a much more grounded trend for fall 2024. 

Fall 2024 is all about polished footwear, so clunky sandals and heels are no-gos. Instead, reach for chic, pointed-toe pumps and standard Mary Janes. Both of these options align with the season's trademark academic fashion trend, as they pair wonderfully with cozy sweaters, wool skirts, and tailored trousers. To be clear, heels are still very much "in" — just steer clear of chunky platforms.

Maximalist embellishments were en vogue for spring 2024 shoe trends, and this carried into summer trends with the colorful sneaker craze. Although the trend did veer off course with the sudden popularity of caged sandals, suede clogs, and mesh ballerina flats, the maximalist flame continued to burn in these exciting designs.

That said, maximalism is once again out for fall, so it's time to flip this playful style on its head and introduce a bit more subtlety back into our footwear. Let's return to classy shoe options with delicate patterns and seasonally appropriate shades. Swap your coral-pink heels for nude or black ones, and you'll be good to go.

Asymmetric strap details on open-toed shoes can take a regular pair of heels and turn it into something contemporary and refreshing. However, that isn't quite the feel that we're going for as we inch closer to chilly sweater weather. You can't go wrong with any of these fall favorites — classic closed-toe pumps, mules, and boots — so leave the toe loops and strappy pumps for another time, and fall back in love with traditional closed-toe heels.

Now, that isn't to say that you can't have fun with your footwear, but you can't go wrong with refined classics, such as sleek boots, horse-bit loafers, and black court shoes. You can even branch out with one of the trendier cold-weather shoe options, like shearling-lined mules.

This one goes without saying, as you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who can pull off wedges once the summer months come to a close. However, if you needed a reminder that wedges don't mesh well with a fall wardrobe, here it is. 

When you've finally packed up your beach holiday wedges and canvas espadrilles, keep an eye out for sensible fall alternatives such as Chelsea boots, slim sneakers, loafers, and ballet flats. If you're itching for some height, lean toward biker boots, rider boots, and suede booties. Lug-sole loafers and Mary Janes will make a brief appearance, as they often do once the temperature drops, but slimmer shoe options will be a safer bet this year.

This one might come as a shock to some, but the kitten heel trend from spring and summer is unlikely to carry into the latter half of the year. Conversely, in many people's minds, the kitten heel never broke free from its old-fashioned associations. There has been an undeniable resurgence of this shoe in 2024, but it's only a matter of time before the train runs out of steam and everyone grows bored of these barely there stilettos. 

Ultimately, the cyclical nature of shoe trends is to blame for this dramatic shift in fall footwear. Your choice of shoe suggests a lot about you as a person, so even if your wardrobe isn't up to par, avoiding these outdated trends is a surefire way to make you feel put-together.