THESE 5 SHOES ARE PERFECT FOR TRANSITIONAL DRESSING – HERE'S WHY

Topshop Bella leather round toe ballet flat in khaki, £45

2026 has been the summer of ballet pumps – from classic pink satin versions to breezy mesh styles and sporty sneakerinas. This season though, it’s time to get serious in more autumn-appropriate fabrics like leather and suede. Autumn’s ballet flats have the same round toes and minimal profiles as their seasonal predecessors, but with more of a grown-up flavour. Topshop’s Bella pair is deceptively versatile – the khaki shade will go with jeans as well as neutral separates and relaxed tailoring.

ASOS DESIGN Marvin square toe clean loafers in zebra hair-on real leather, £50

The animal-print loafer is a study in contrasts – the shoe is refined but the patterns are outrageous, and that’s exactly why we can’t get enough of it. After all, loafers give us a back-to-school vibe that just feels right for September. Plus, animal print of all stripes (and spots) is going to be huge this season, so if you want to get in on it without committing to a head-to-toe look, these are for you. We’re loving the monochrome nature of zebra print right now, but there’s also classic snake, leopard and deer prints to look forward to.

ASOS DESIGN Rosario slouch kitten heel boots in chocolate suedette, £48

Transitional shoes are masters of diplomacy – they’re all about bridging the gap between seasons. Slouch boots do exactly that, but go a step further by uniting the smart-casual divide. Take ASOS DESIGN’s Rosario pair, for example – the relaxed cuff says ‘casual’, but the kitten heel and pointed toe mean business. You can wear them with a mini dress while the sun still shines, and switch to tailoring or jeans when the evenings get shorter.

ASOS DESIGN Hope barely there mid heel stiletto sandals in dark red, £26

August-to-September is cherry and blackberry season, and that’s not just on our plates. Rich, luscious dark fruit shades are perfect for transitional wardrobes, plus they make heels feel darkly glamorous. Our pick, ASOS DESIGN’s Hope stilettos, have a patent finish that makes the dark-red colour shine – literally. Style them with warm neutrals or work in contrasts with some of our other favourite seasonal colours, like amber or turquoise.

Salomon XT-6 trainers in lava falls and icy pink exclusive to ASOS, £165

There are few things as sensorially satisfying as walking through a massive pile of autumn leaves. Just the thought of all that crunching underfoot has got us in the mood for a nature walk – and now that the weather is cooling, we can put one on the calendar. You’ll need trainers that get the job done – think Salomon’s legendary XT-6 style. This gorpcore classic is built for muddy terrain and city streets alike, so you’ll go the distance no matter the setting. Plus, the pink and red colourway is an ASOS-exclusive, so don’t go looking for it elsewhere.