8 Casual Yet Classic Shoe Trends Fashion People Would Wear Over Heels Any Day

I've always loved shoes; the rush you get when you see a pair you love in store, the way they can completely alter the chemistry of an outfit, and the how they make you feel when you wear them. There really is nothing like it. I used to be obsessed with heels; shoes so pretty they looked more like sculptures than footwear, but, over the years, my shoe preferences have changed somewhat—I now look for stylish shoes that work with more outfits as opposed to a mere handful. My overall style has become more casual too—though I like to think it's not without polish or class, I definitely don't wear as many shirt dresses and heels as I used to.

Every now and then, I think it's good to take stock of what you wear and, often more importantly, what you don't anymore. I did this recently with my collection of shoes, which I hadn't really considered for a few years. When I did, I realised I was still holding onto lots of more formal-looking shoes I just knew I wouldn't wear again, which I donated either to friends and family or charity. The pairs I did keep were either more versatile formal shoes—things like black slingbacks, gold sandals, etc—and also a well-rounded edit of casual shoes I've come to rely on in a big way over the years.

Looking at them now, I can see that there are eight casual shoe trends I always have in my rotation. So, I decided to outline them for you below. Whether you're looking for new footwear you can wear with everything comfortably or you want to see if there are any gaps missing in your own shoe line-up, scroll on to see the shoe trends that loan themselves to daily styling.

8 CASUAL SHOE TRENDS THAT FASHION PEOPLE RELY ON

1. WHITE FLATS

Style Notes: It goes without saying that trainers are an excellent casual shoe option (more on that later) but a shoe I've come to rely on just as much is that of white or off-white flats. Owing to their similar colour way, they end up working with everything I would have worn trainers with but also work with more sophisticated items, too, such as skirts and dresses.

SHOP THE SHOES:

& Other Stories

Mary Jane Leather Ballerina Flats

£110

CHLOÉ

Marcie Embellished Leather Ballet Flats

£570

COS

Buckled Ballet Flats

£115

2. COWBOY BOOTS

Style Notes: There are lots of boot styles that fall under the category of casual but the one that adds the most finesse to a look and has proven itself to never, ever date is that of the cowboy boot. Fashion people wear theirs all year round with, well, everything you can think of. Right now, floaty skirts and jorts seem to be the accompanying items of choice.

SHOP THE SHOES:

Alohas

Beige Suede Liberty Cowboy Boots

£250

FP Collection

Brayden Western Boots

£268

GANNI

Black Mid Shaft Embroidered Western Boots

£625

3. SPORTY TRAINERS

Style Notes: Trainers go hand-in-hand with casual style with fresh trends to try coming to the fore almost every single week. The pair I always reach for? A retro-style running shoe—think old school New Balance or Asics.

SHOP THE SHOES:

New Balance

530 Trainers

£119

ASICS

Gel-Kayano 14 Rubber-Trimmed Canvas and Leather Sneakers

£165

Adidas Originals

Originals Response Cl

£90

4. CLOGS

Style Notes: Look at the off-duty looks of your favourite content creators and you'll soon see a common thread emerge. Be it Birkenstocks or otherwise, pared-back clogs in suede fabrications are their off-duty shoe of choice.

SHOP THE SHOES:

BIRKENSTOCK

Boston Suede Clogs

£150

TOAST

Bosabo Suede Clogs | Tan

£120

Hush Puppies

Hush Puppies Bailey Suede Mule Clogs

£65

5. LOAFERS

Style Notes: One of the glossiest flat shoes out there, loafers strike the perfect balance between looking elevated without looking too formal when styled with casual outfits. Chunky styles might be statement, but they somehow feel even more low-key than their streamline counterparts.

SHOP THE SHOES:

H&M

Chunky Loafers

£33

TOD'S

Gomma Embellished Suede Loafers

£640

MANGO

Leather Moccasin

£90

6. BOAT SHOES

Style Notes: One of the biggest shoe trends of 2024, boat shoes have been in demand ever since Miu Miu included them in its spring/summer collection. Look for tan or brown pairs that will work with jeans, shorts and casual skirts.

SHOP THE SHOES:

Eastland

Yarmouth Boat Shoes

£98

Timberland

Heritage Noreen Boat Shoes in Brown Full Grain Leather

£180

Le Chameau

Galion Leather Deck Shoes

£120

7. CHUNKY SANDALS

Style Notes: Like loafers, chunkier sandal styles always feel more casual than their thin-strap counterparts. Look for pairs with thick buckles and straps that will toughen up whatever you choose to wear them with.

SHOP THE SHOES:

& Other Stories

Criss-Cross Leather Sandals

£110

Whistles

Jemma Triple Buckle Sandal

£169

BIRKENSTOCK 1774

Milano Leather Sandals

£420

8. BALLET FLATS

Style Notes: Once considered preppy and pretty, ballet flats have become a flat-shoe staple in the wardrobes of fashion people. Because of their popularity, I'm seeing them worn with casual outfits more and more.

SHOP THE SHOES:

Arket

Leather Ballet Flats - Black - Arket Gb

£149

MANOLO BLAHNIK

Veralli Bow-Detailed Leather Ballet Flats

£595

Jeffrey Campbell

Aurora Flats

£128