FASHION
THE SHOES I'M SWAPPING INTO MY SPRING ROTATION
By Flo Bellinger, 16 March 2026
The best thing about a new season? Updating your wardrobe. The worst thing about a new season? Erm… updating your wardrobe. Navigating the trends and tribulations of a fresh weather pattern is both exciting and overwhelming. I get close to giving up more than once – resorting to a spring spent in jeans and T-shirts. But before I succumb to the same old basics, something snaps me back to myself: shoes. My favourite thing in the world. No other item of clothing has the capacity to transform an outfit like footwear. And given how small a portion of your look they account for, they’ve got real purchasing power.
After months of boots, durable trainers and wellies, warmer weather is my first excuse to explore shoes anew. I might not be getting my tootsies out with wild abandon just yet, but that won’t stop me from swapping heavy-duty pieces for lightweight styles and more creative silhouettes. If you’re lacking inspiration when it comes to the shoes for spring, keep scrolling for all the styles I’ve had my eye on.
BALLET FLATS
Last summer’s favourite flat is back. In my opinion, their short hiatus was solely down to the weather. I’d have continued trotting out in these timeless slip-ons all winter had it been practical. Perfect with jeans, cargos, tailoring, skirts and dresses (frankly, it’s easier to list the things they don’t pair well with), ballet flats will never fault you. As 90s minimalism continues to reign the runways, combined with a penchant for joyful personalisation, these spring flats provide the perfect, comfortable canvas for creativity. My inner trend-seeker has been eyeing this polka-dot pair, as well as a bold tomato red offering that steps confidently into the SS26 palette.
GET THE LOOK:
ASOS DESIGN Lawn ballets in polka dot mesh, £28
ASOS DESIGN Lawn premium suede ballets in red, £32
Charles & Keith Emiko satin bow mary jane flats in silver, £59
Converse Run Star ballet flats in black, £65
WOVEN STYLES
Woven footwear used to remind me of Chandler Bing’s infamous dalliance with a pair of wicker shoes (if you haven’t seen Friends, keep scrolling). But this old-school style is making a comeback. A natural evolution from 2025’s love of jelly shoes and fisherman sandals, natural weaves and wide mesh are on everyone's wishlists. Woven textures are a great way to upgrade the humble ballet flat for another year, but they also look great in unexpected iterations like a sneaker-adjacent shoe.
GET THE LOOK:
ASOS DESIGN Wide Fit Lioness weave ballets in natural, £26
Stradivarius Die-cut sports ballet flats in black, £35.99
Simmi London Wide Fit Biao slingback woven ballet flats in tan, £32
ASOS DESIGN Mercy woven flat mules in red, £32
RETRO TRAINERS
Speaking of sneakers, retro styles are sticking around this spring. After topping the competitive trainer game in 2026, spring is bringing plenty more low-profile silhouettes for our rotation. I’m loving suede and satin styles, two fabrics that complement the trainer's lightweight shape and provide a vintage femininity I can’t wait to explore. Pony hair is also a great seasonal choice, one that feels both elevated and unusual. There are also plenty of reinvented classics in this category – like the timeless adidas Tokyo, which just launched in a new red and white Mary-Jane hybrid.
GET THE LOOK:
ARKET suede trainer in light beige, £119
Vans Super Lowpro pony hair trainers in black, £95
adidas Originals Tokyo Mary Janes in light white and red, £85
Nike Air Rift patent trainers in brown, £119.99
LIGHTWEIGHT LOAFERS
Loafers will never fall out of favour. But their recent upswing has been bolstered by a preference for lightweight shapes. Echoing fashion’s penchant for low-slung sneakers, women's spring loafers are appearing in more streamlined alts this season. From puckered toe caps to mules, my love of loafers has been born anew. To ensure wearability, I’d suggest balancing fresh silhouettes with familiar colours and textures – brown, black and beige leathers will slot seamlessly into your wardrobe and provide styling opportunities for seasons to come.
GET THE LOOK:
Dune London Sammi loafers in brown, £119
Tommy Hilfiger leather loafer with soft foldable heel in black, £140
Schuh Leeds rouched mule loafer in white leather, £45
Stradivarius Black leather effect loafers in black, £35.99
KITTEN HEELS
Pictures: ASOS
It’s sensible to prioritise your daily rotation when shoe shopping, but that won’t stop me from indulging in a little dressing up. Spring and summer promise a busier social calendar, from dates to birthdays and weddings, so having a few elevated shoes to hand is no bad thing. I’ll admit I’m not the biggest fan of heels. They can be uncomfortable and often leave me feeling overdressed. But kitten heels? They’re a winner all-round. With all the practicality of a flat but the sharp edge of a stiletto, this chic style is great for levelling up your usual 'jeans and a nice top' formula. I haven’t stopped thinking about this cow-print pair since they dropped – great for funky day-to-night dressing.
GET THE LOOK:
Bershka Kitten heel slingback shoes in burgundy, £29.99
Stradivarius Printed heeled shoes in multicoloured, £35.99
Mango kitten court heel with bow detail in black, £45.99
ASOS DESIGN Heartfelt barely there kitten heel sandals in snake, £26
