Décolleté, cross and delight of every self-respecting fashionista. It is difficult to find a more complex shoe model to wear for long journeys. Whether they are equipped with a high or micro heel, the rigid leather and the toe, even if rounded, are not the most comfortable. But in Spring Summer 2026 a revolution is taking place: pumps are transformed into everyday style allies, thanks to an unexpectedly comfortable fit.
Thanks to the detail on the heelwhich makes classic pumps more wearable. Elasticized on the back thanks to the characteristic “spring”, soft at the toe thanks to the flexible nappa: the elegant shoe that is preparing to conquer the trendsetters this season.
Elastic pumps, the last frontier of pumps
The starting point is always the same, a light leather that hugs the foot. And thanks to the curl on the heel it makes the pumps truly original, as well as functional. The danger of ending up like Cinderella, losing the slipper on the street, is reduced to a minimum. And also to go unnoticed.
A trend that hasn’t been seen for a while, and which affects the entire shoe rack, from ballerinas to slingbacks, even if it is more evident and guessed precisely on traditional pumps with heels. Among the pioneers of the past, Phoebe Philo at Céline with the range of shoes Softmostly flat or with a square heel, with a ballet silhouette; but also Chanel with the iconic ballet flats and elasticated pumps designed by Karl Lagerfeld in the nineties, with the logo placed laterally on the heel. It is not surprising that the new creative director Matthieu Blazy has drawn on the archive in the creation of the new trendy Chanel pumps, which inherit the elastic but focus on new two-tone, almond-shaped uppers, with less visible logos.
Elastic pumps at the Chanel SS 2026 fashion show. (Spotlight Launchmetrics)
From pumps with Chanel elastic to low cost versions
An It Shoe that attracted attention at the Chanel Spring Summer 2026 fashion show. And it has also struck other brands, which offer their versions of elasticated pumps for the season: Miuccia Prada focuses on soft nappa leather and the kitten heel; The Row presents the model Lisa with sharp tip, in different heights and materials, including transparent mesh; Saint Laurent opts for the slingback curled on the heel Anne-Mariewhich unlike classic pumps PARIS in patent leather they seem incredibly comfortable. Bottega Veneta, on the other hand, concentrates the details that make the difference Sofiathe pump with a slightly square toe, in colored patent leather, which looks just like a glove.
Elasticated “Sofia” pumps, Bottega Veneta.
Needless to say, the trend arrived in the sector in no time niche: the cool shoe experts Aeyde and also create elastic pumps ATP Atelier. The ballerina versions with comfortable heels designed by the players look more towards the cult Céline model low costlike H&M and Massimo Dutti.
How to match elasticated pumps in 2026
They are already on the feet of the stars and trendsetters that matter. And they all agree on styling: to wear elastic pumps with ease in 2026, the trick is to focus on refined outfits. Created to enhance the classic jacket-skirt suit in a glamorous way à la Chanelprecisely, they marry well Also with men’s shirts and skirts of all shapes: Tilda Swinton docet.
Tilda Swinton on the red carpet of the Marrakech International Film Festival in December 2025 with two-tone stretch pumps, in Chanel from head to toe. (Getty Images)
The advice is to also try them with a pair of cropped jeans, Bermuda shorts or midi dresses. The important thing is to pay attention to showing the detail of the curl.
Falls, not only in style, are limited by the solid fit…
