Autumn prelude: the footwear trends already seen on the AW26 runways
Even though summer days still remain, the runways have already begun to illustrate how we will dress when temperatures drop. Autumn-Winter 2026 doesn't revolve around a single trend, but rather several ways of understanding footwear: boots with character, classic-inspired flats, renewed feminine silhouettes, and increasingly sleek sneakers.
Boots are once again gaining prominence, in both tall versions and biker and western designs. At the same time, loafers and flats are regaining ground, while ballet flats and athletic shoes are appearing in new hybrid silhouettes like sneakerinas. Heels are becoming lower and more wearable, and sneakers are returning to less bulky retro profiles.
The key is to adapt these trends to everyday life. In the XTI women's footwear collection, you'll find boots, ankle boots, shoes, ballet flats, and sneakers to incorporate the new season's trends into your own style.
Tall and slouchy boots: volume dominates again
After several seasons where ankle boots have taken much of the spotlight, boots are once again rising up the leg. High-shaft silhouettes, over-the-knee boots, and slightly loose or slouchy designs will be a key reference for Autumn-Winter 2026.
The key to slouchy boots is precisely not being completely fitted. The shaft creates a certain volume around the leg and achieves a relaxed aesthetic that works especially well with midi dresses, flowy skirts, knitwear, and structured coats.
Extra-tall versions are also making a comeback. Women's tall boots make this trend easier to wear everyday, whether with flat or heeled designs.
For a balanced look, try tall boots with a knit dress and a straight coat. If you prefer something more casual, combine them with a midi skirt, a sweater, and an oversized jacket.
Biker and Western Boots: Two Ways to Wear Footwear with Character
Autumn also makes room for boots that don't go unnoticed.
On the one hand, women's biker boots maintain their place in the wardrobe. Buckles, substantial soles, and robust finishes provide that biker edge that works especially well when combined with more feminine pieces.
The most current formula is precisely to play with contrast. Try biker boots with a flowy dress, a satin skirt, or knitwear instead of building a completely rock-inspired outfit.
And alongside them, Western inspiration makes a strong comeback. Women's cowboy boots bring back pointed toes, Cuban heels, and Western-inspired details, but are now integrated into much more urban outfits.
With denim and a shirt, they create an easy-to-wear Western look; with a midi dress, they add contrast; and combined with beige, camel, or brown garments, they achieve a more sophisticated result.
If you prefer a less prominent version, women's cowboy ankle boots allow you to incorporate this aesthetic with a lower shaft.
Loafers and masculine-inspired shoes: the new urban uniform
Flat shoes continue to gain ground, and Autumn-Winter 2026 especially brings back silhouettes inspired by men's wardrobes.
Loafers, derbies, and other structured designs serve as a counterpoint to the ultra-feminine ballet flats of previous seasons. The result is elegant footwear that is easy to incorporate into daily life.
Women's loafers are probably the simplest way to translate this trend into your wardrobe. They work with pleated trousers, straight jeans, dress Bermuda shorts, midi skirts, and dresses.
For the office, try loafers with cropped trousers, a shirt, and a blazer. For a more relaxed result, combine them with denim, a fine sweater, and a long coat.
Visible socks continue to be an interesting style tool: they transform a classic loafer into a much more current look when worn with a skirt, Bermuda shorts, or trousers that expose the ankle.
Ballet flats and sneakerinas: ballet goes sporty
Ballet flats don't disappear in Autumn-Winter 2026, but their evolution is more interesting than simply repeating the balletcore of previous seasons.
The delicate aesthetic of the ballet flat now mixes with elements typical of sneakers. This combination gives rise to ballet sneakers or sneakerinas: light and stylized shoes that retain part of the ballet flat silhouette but incorporate the comfort and urban character of sneakers.
XTI already has a specific collection of women's athletic ballet flats or sneakerinas, making this one of the easiest trends to directly translate into your looks.
Combine them with wide tailored trousers to play with proportions, with straight jeans for an everyday style, or with a midi skirt and socks to enhance their trendy side.
If you prefer to maintain the classic aesthetic, simple ballet flats with dress trousers and a blazer continue to be an elegant alternative to heels.
Kitten heels and low heels: comfortable elegance returns
Heels don't disappear, but their proportions change. Compared to very high designs, low and moderate heels gain prominence for their ability to provide elegance without complicating everyday life.
The kitten heel, slender and low, particularly well represents this return to a more practical femininity. It appears in pumps, slingbacks, pointed-toe shoes, and even ankle boots.
You don't literally need to wear a kitten heel to adopt the trend. The idea is to look for a sleek silhouette and a moderate height that allows you to wear the shoe for longer periods.
Within XTI women's high heels, you can find models that allow you to incorporate this aesthetic into office looks, dinners, or events.
Combine them with tailored trousers and a blazer for work, with a midi dress for a special occasion, or even with straight denim to tone down the shoe's formality.
Retro and slim sneakers: less volume and more lightness
Sneakers continue to be essential, but their proportions are changing.
Retro sneakers, silhouettes inspired by classic running, and low profiles gain ground over certain overly voluminous designs. The result is more streamlined sneakers that easily integrate into looks that go far beyond athletic wear.
The XTI women's sneaker collection allows you to play with this trend through designs in numerous colors, finishes, and heights.
For daily wear, combine retro sneakers with straight jeans, a shirt, and a trench coat. If you want to use them in a relaxed office environment, try them with pleated trousers, a fine sweater, and a coat.
Metallic finishes are also still present. Silver and other bright tones can almost function as a neutral and add a special touch to outfits built on gray, black, white, or denim.
The key is to choose a sneaker that harmonizes with the rest of the outfit instead of reserving it only for athletic wear.
Suede, soft textures, and special finishes
Autumn invites us to bring back texture.
Suede, split leather, faux suede, velvety finishes, and fur details add depth to footwear and make even the simplest silhouettes have more presence.
This trend works especially well in boots, ankle boots, loafers, and flats. Brown, camel, and beige tones also reinforce that warm feeling characteristic of the season.
A soft-finish boot can be combined with a knit dress and a long coat. A textured loafer works with denim and a blazer. And earth-toned ankle boots can easily become one of the most worn pairs of the autumn.
The secret is to let the texture take center stage. If the footwear incorporates a very pronounced finish, keep the rest of the outfit relatively clean to prevent the materials from competing with each other.
Metallics, buckles, and details that make footwear the star
Not all of Autumn-Winter 2026 will be minimalist.
Details matter again and allow familiar silhouettes to be updated without completely changing style. Buckles, metallic finishes, embellishments, sparkles, and other applications turn shoes and boots into starring pieces.
Buckles work especially well on biker-inspired boots, while metallics translate this idea to ballet flats, shoes, and sneakers.
You can also turn to prints. An animal print shoe combined with black garments, denim, or earth tones acts as a focal point without needing to incorporate more striking elements.
The rule is simple: if the shoe has a lot of personality, let it speak for itself. Straight trousers, a white shirt, and special footwear can be much more effective than an outfit where all the garments compete for attention.
The colors of Autumn-Winter 2026: deep neutrals and unexpected accents
Classic autumn colors continue to be a safe bet, but this season the palette doesn't end with black and brown.
Chocolate, camel, dark beige, and other earthy tones form a particularly easy-to-combine base. Women's brown boots work with denim, cream, gray, khaki green, or even burgundy.
Black remains essential, especially in boots, loafers, and more structured shoes. Black boots allow you to incorporate practically any trend without overly conditioning the rest of your wardrobe.
Alongside these basics appear deeper colors and unexpected accents: burgundy, red, navy blue, and bright tones can become the focal point of a neutral outfit.
And metallics continue to function as that midpoint between basic and trendy. Silver sneakers with gray jeans, a neutral sweater, and a trench coat can transform a simple look without being excessive.
How to wear runway trends in real life
Following trends doesn't mean revamping your entire shoe closet every season.
The best strategy is to identify which trend truly fits your personal style.
If you walk a lot and prioritize comfort, retro sneakers, sneakerinas, or loafers might be more useful than a very special shoe.
If you want to update your winter looks with a single piece, biker, cowboy, or tall boots can transform garments you already own.
And if your wardrobe consists mainly of basics, try introducing the trend through color or details: burgundy, metallics, buckles, or a different texture can be enough.
The trend should adapt to your style, not the other way around.
Five looks to anticipate autumn
Tall boots with a midi dress
Combine high-shaft boots with a midi dress and a straight coat. The boots provide presence while the simple lines of the rest of the outfit balance the look.
Biker with satin skirt
Wear biker boots with a satin skirt, a fine knit sweater, and an oversized blazer. The contrast between a sturdy boot and delicate fabric creates one of the season's most interesting styles.
Cowboy with denim
Combine cowboy boots with straight jeans, a shirt, and a structured jacket. If you want to soften the Western aesthetic, use neutral tones and avoid adding too many cowboy references.
Loafers with pleated trousers
Opt for loafers, cropped trousers, a shirt, and visible socks. It's a modern office formula you can complete with a trench coat or long coat.
Retro sneakers with tailoring
Wear slim-profile sneakers with a relaxed suit and a basic t-shirt. The result is comfortable and modern and allows sneakers to be incorporated into more polished outfits.
Which trend to choose based on your style
If your style is minimalist, slim sneakers, loafers, and low heels will be easy to integrate because they maintain relatively clean lines.
If you prefer looks with more character, look for biker boots, cowboy boots, tall boots, or footwear with buckles and special finishes.
For a feminine and urban style, ballet flats, sneakerinas, and low-heeled shoes allow you to combine dresses, skirts, and tailoring without creating an overly formal result.
And if you're looking to build a versatile wardrobe, start with three pairs: simple boots, loafers, and retro sneakers. Then you can incorporate a more distinctive trend that reflects your personality.
Discover XTI footwear trends for next autumn
Autumn-Winter 2026 arrives with a clear idea: trends can have personality and still be easy to wear.
Explore the collections of women's boots, loafers, athletic ballet flats, heels and XTI sneakers and find the silhouettes that best suit you.
From tall boots and biker or cowboy designs to sneakerinas, retro sneakers, and flats, the new season invites you to mix styles and adapt trends to real life.
Choose the models that work best with your wardrobe and make them your own: ultimately, a trend only makes sense when it fits your way of dressing.
