Heel Trends That Are Incredibly Outdated In 2026

2026 is already carving out a new fashion niche for itself by ditching the typical maximalist and minimalist trends in both heels and flats. In the minimalist era, the trending heels like pencil-thin stilettos were simple, clean-cut, and almost sterile, with very little personality to them. Conversely, the famed heels of the maximalist era, like clunky platforms, seemed more concerned with being loud than being stylish. Heel trends in 2026 do not fall into either category. Instead, popular shoes seem to favour elegance, personality, and even uniqueness over heels that fit squarely into a box.

But more importantly, heel trends in 2026 have fully ditched the "beauty is pain" rhetoric for shoes that look gorgeous, but are also comfortable and practical. Just like the outdated shoe trends of 2026, heels that aren't versatile, stylish, and comfortable are defunct and out of style. If you're updating your heel catalogue for the current year, these trends will definitely have stylists' and podiatrists' approval.

In 2023, mules broke out as the trendy all-purpose shoe, and this is still the case in 2026 — with a major caveat: Your mules need a wedge. Traditional mules with pencil heels or flats are very much 2023 and have none of the modern vibes you'll want in your wardrobe. On the other hand, wedged mules can be statement pieces, are easier to walk in than pencil heels, and lean into the elegant vibe that 2026 demands of us.

For the longest time, high stilettos were the "it" shoe. They were a Hollywood classic and gave off that super-glam vibe that everyone seemed to want, but they were also incredibly painful. This unavoidable discomfort, paired with the fact that sky-high stilettos demand a very specific type of outfit, is why they're now the poster shoes for basic fashion. A more en-vogue replacement is kitten heels, which made a return in the fall of 2023 and have continued to be a trendy upgrade. They are fashionable, less painful, and more versatile.

Cowboy boot supremacy is a thing, and it'll take a lot to run this trend out of town. However, some variants are a lot less en vogue than others. Rather than wearing boots with low heels, go for the ones with raised block heels for a higher lift and a modish feel. Just remember that shoes like these have a specific vibe, so you can avoid cowboy boot looks that take the yee out of the haw, like a Western-overload outfit.

2026 might not be full-blown maximalist, but it's clearly shifting away from minimalist trends like naked footwear. These flimsy shoes often have tiny straps, invisible coverage at the top, and other features that seem designed to create a see-through effect, which is a major problem. The minimal architecture makes them less supportive for serious use, and they are designed to hide instead of stand out — a major no-no for us modern girlies. Instead go for something with more supportive structure, since sore feet are never a good look.

2026 is such a unique year because it's neither fully minimalist nor maximalist, which is why both simple shoes and dramatic, bulky platforms have been given the boot. The trendy shoes for this year are both out-there and refined. This means opting for shoes with intentional structure and a slimmer silhouette — two things that clunky platforms do not have. However, platforms aren't a total no-no. Platforms with lower heels and structured toes are still en vogue in 2026 and are a trendy alternative.

Heels with super-pointed toes were once incredibly fashionable, but much like those bras with pointed cups that were once a thing, they are now really outdated. It's important to note that this isn't just relevant in the world of heels. Even in 2025, square and round-toe ballet flats were taking all the spotlight and leaving none for the pointy variant. Generally, shoes with super-pointed toes look too brash and elongate the feet, which isn't in line with the shift towards elegant shoes that is popular in 2026.

Another heel trend that has been deemed outdated, thanks to the shift away from minimalism in 2026, is plain Jane shoes. In the late 2010s, these overly simple shoes were in everyone's wardrobe, and to be fair, they had their pros. Plain shoes didn't need to be styled and were simply an easy add-on for most outfits. However, everyone is now in the age of styling over wearing, so there's no room for shoes that bring nothing to the table style-wise. Instead of simple shoes, go for designs with bold colors, intricate patterns, embellishments, or all three if you're feeling daring.