Retailers and trend experts on the shoe trends for fall 2026

The shopping season for fall 2026 is now largely over. As the next season begins, retailers are shifting their focus to customization and additional shopping options. The current season offers the opportunity to respond to rapidly changing demand, new trends and unexpected bestsellers. Which models remain commercially reliable? Where is demand shifting to? Which price points ensure a good sales rate? FashionUnited spoke to several Dutch retailers and trend experts about the most important shoe trends and market developments.

Fall 2026: Trends from Coef’s perspective

Coef is a Dutch fashion retailer with seven stores in the Netherlands. FashionUnited spoke to Yahya Öztürk, a buyer for the company.

At Coef, the vintage running segment remains the biggest draw. Technically inspired retro models are currently selling extremely well. “Think of New Balance’s 1906 model and Asics’ Kayano 14,” Öztürk told FashionUnited. The retailer expects this trend to peak in summer 2026. According to the buying team, there is a clear shift towards a more formal silhouette for fall. Loafers, elegant boots and moccasin-style lace-up shoes are gaining ground. However, they have lightweight, sneaker-like soles for comfort. “The Kleman Padror is a perfect example of this,” says Öztürk.

The return of the boot is particularly noticeable in women’s fashion. This segment is remarkably sensitive to trends. Consumers quickly accept a trend, but just as quickly give it up. Men, on the other hand, stay loyal to a current style for longer.

Physical stores remain central to Coef

Physical stores remain the cornerstone of the strategy. However, e-commerce plays an important role in scarce products. Coef is seeing high demand online for hard-to-find models. This is due to the nationwide reach and the targeted search by item number or specific color. The focus when purchasing is now shifting strongly to the price and the sales rate. The optimal price point is around 170 to 180 euros. Models over 200 euros are proven to sell more slowly. Color is also a crucial success factor. When a model is available in multiple versions, a particular colorway often accounts for the majority of sales. Currently these are variants with brown or earth tones.

Comfort is a fundamental requirement in the selection process. This is evident in the emphasis on sole construction and comfort. Sustainability is achieved through longevity and long-term relevance. According to Öztürk, explicitly ‘vegan’ or experimental materials are less popular in shoes. The collection structure for fall 2026 also shows how fast the market has become. About 20 percent consist of carry-over models from previous seasons, while 80 percent are new models. Classic models give way to continuous innovation. This is driven by social media, which encourages consumers to search more quickly for the latest models and colorways.

Klup de Dag on the balance between trends and reliability

The Dutch fashion retailer Klup de Dag operates three stores in Leeuwarden, Groningen and Zwolle. FashionUnited spoke to Rick Klap, the co-founder and owner.

In the shoe segment, sneakers will remain the most important source of sales for Klup de Dag in spring/summer 2026. The highest sales figures come from specific, recognizable models: the Spezial and Samba from Adidas; the Gel-Kayano, 1130 and Gel-NYC from Asics; and the 1906 and 740 from New Balance. Birkenstock’s Utti has also proven to be a surprising bestseller. “These models in various colorways make up our top ten and account for around 70 percent of total footwear sales for SS26 so far,” said Klap. Expectations for Birkenstock are once again high for the summer, with the Boston and the Utti being the most important sales drivers.

Although the company has an online shop, its main focus is on stationary retail. According to the co-founder and owner, the strength lies in personal contact and in the fact that customers specifically visit the shops in the city center. The starting point for purchasing is an analysis of the past season. Models and colors with the highest sales are increased, while items with poorer performance are removed from the range.

Retailers are finding it increasingly difficult to predict hype. This is due to the speed at which trends develop on social media. Brand marketing promises therefore do not play a decisive role. “We’ve seen too many times where a brand claims to be focused on something that isn’t reflected in our sales.”

The retailer therefore consciously chooses to work with strong, established brand names. Building a relatively unknown brand has historically yielded too little return and support. This strategy often means working with lower margins but offers greater commercial certainty. Shoes are not a primary revenue category for the company. They complement the entire product range and aesthetics of the stores.

Safety from hype

The retailer sees a broad and diverse trend landscape in the showrooms for fall 2026. Technical running shoes absorb outdoor influences. Indoor sneakers are evolving towards performance. In the formal segment, loafers remain prominent alongside a growing selection of derby and moccasin lace-up shoes. “Eventually everything will merge together,” Klap said. The shopping strategy is therefore deliberately safe, with a fashionable accent here and there. There is no pressure to necessarily have the next big hype in store.

Trend expert Jan Agelink on hybridization and expression

FashionUnited also spoke to trend researcher and observer Jan Agelink. He has been a trend expert for many years and advises brands on consumer behavior and fashion developments. He is also the owner of the creative agency Buro Jantrendman.

Agelink offers a nuanced view of the clear move away from retro sneakers. According to him, these models are not disappearing, but changing. They remain visible on the catwalk, albeit in a more refined form. “Think slimmer silhouettes, ballerina-style sneakers and influences from martial arts and classic football heritage, sometimes combined with sock-like elements,” said Agelink. At the same time, in line with retailers, he sees a growing importance for more formal styles such as loafers and elegant boots. These fit into a broader movement towards tailoring and craftsmanship.

This development is linked to deeper, underlying shifts. Agelink believes there is a growing appreciation for craftsmanship, materials and feel as a backlash against digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI). “We are moving more towards the physical, away from the purely digital,” he explained. The digital world remains visible in futuristic sneakers and technical influences. Outdoor and survival elements are also gaining ground, with organic shapes, natural materials and new prints.

This area of ​​tension creates more room for experiments. According to Agelink, footwear is increasingly becoming an expressive segment, especially in women’s fashion. He points to the rise of the so-called ‘bloquette’ style. Here sneakers are decorated with decorative elements such as ruffles, lace or rhinestones. “It moves between sport and decoration and makes the sneaker more expressive,” he explained.

Agelink takes a differentiated approach to the supposed acceleration of trends. Although social media and platforms like TikTok give the impression that everything is moving faster, he sees this partly as a matter of perspective. “Classic models such as loafers and running shoes remain, but are constantly being reinterpreted.” He believes that the tension between creativity and commerce also remains a constant factor. The market is cautious, but distinctive designs are necessary to stay relevant.

Agelink expects further hybridization in shoes after fall 2026. The boundaries between tailoring and sportswear are becoming increasingly blurred. Shoes combine classic shapes with technical elements. “This cross-fertilization will continue,” said the trend expert. He expects that traditional models such as loafers will also evolve into new, more functional and outdoor-inspired versions.

Christine Boland on classics between comfort and innovation

FashionUnited also spoke to Christine Boland. She is a trend analyst and zeitgeist interpreter known for her in-depth insights into the social and cultural movements behind fashion.

Footwear trends for the coming seasons are heavily influenced by the need for familiarity in an uncertain and rapidly changing world. According to Christine Boland, we see a desire for classic, tried-and-tested models such as loafers, ballet flats and sneakers. On the catwalks of Chanel and Simone Rocha, among others, you can see how these classics get a new twist. Familiar shapes are retained, but are alienated in proportion, material or detail. Think ballet flats with sporty stripes that fade into ribbons. Or a classic silhouette that is suddenly enlarged or reduced.

Boland calls this development ‘Liberating Conventions’, i.e. the letting go of fixed rules within known styles. Classic shoe types remain recognizable, but are approached in an unconventional way. For example, by decorating a loafer, distorting a sneaker or deconstructing a traditional shoe. It’s about combining something familiar with an unexpected twist. This makes the designs appear both safe and innovative.

The need for individuality also plays a big role. In response to the increasing uniformity caused by technology and AI, consumers want to stand out. This manifests itself in personalization, such as adding charms, ribbons and other decorations. Comfort is a basic requirement, but does not exclude distinctive designs.