7 Shoe Trends That Are Out In 2022

Although 2022 has seen the resurgence of various fashion trends, it has also seen the demise of a lot of beloved ones. From skinny jeans to the side part, this year has seen the end of lots of once-loved fashion trends. When it comes to shoes, there is no exception. With the renaissance of Y2K, many of the shoe trends we saw in the 2010s have started to decline.

Nowadays, practicality and design go hand in hand rather than having to choose one or the other. Stitch Fix UK's Katie Eastwood tells Woman & Home, "It is clear comfort remains a priority for new season footwear but it's great to see designers embrace color, embellishment, and statement features."

Now that we are focusing on comfortable footwear that also stands out, many of the shoe trends we picked up throughout the years no longer have a place. From uncomfortable shoes to 'ugly shoe trends,' these shoes have seen better days.

One of the trend victims of 2022 is the gladiator sandals. These sandals are the ones we used to see that strapped up the leg in classic Roman fashion. Although new versions of the gladiator sandals are starting to pop up, this 2010 classic has long passed its time.

The new versions of this shoe are less chunky and thinner, making them more practical and easy to wear. Molly Goddard's Pink Metallic Cilla Sandals are a prime example of how to make this previous trend work for the modern era. Instead of chunky laces and leather accents, these Molly Goddard sandals have thinner laces and don't go all the way up to your calf.

So instead of trying to squeeze and lace your foot into your old gladiator sandals, try some of the minimal choices instead. Another option would be Brother Vellies' Tyla Sandal which consists of a thin strap that wraps around the ankle, giving you all the gladiator vibes without the tan lines in the summer.

We all know that rubber flip-flops are the quintessential beach footwear. Nothing completes a day at the pool or beach more than packing up your flip-flops along with your other essentials. However, as easy as they are to just slip on and go, the dressed-down aspect of the thin footwear pieces will no longer do with our chic looks. Editorial stylist, Brie Welch, tells TZR, "Oddly enough, [I] used to detest flip-flops — [I] think it was the rubber casualness. I realized I prefer a hard-soled leather style with a slim footbed, which feels like a proper shoe, [and] more elevated." Because of the uber casualness of the flip-flop, they are no longer appropriate footwear for anything other than going from the pool back to your lounge chair. 

Although the actual flip-flop sandal design will never go away, new versions will continue to pop up. Associate editor of accessories and footwear of WGSN, Ana Correa, tells Fashionista, "Younger influencers are just doing what other generations did; [they are] finding inspiration from prior decades. They style the flip flop in newer and more contemporary ways ... making it seem like it's a completely new item." Although the new generations of style icons are rediscovering flip-flops, that doesn't mean they don't want something more chic and elevated.

Although sneakers will never go out of style as they are a basic for almost any wardrobe, wedge sneakers are seeing their way out. One of the staples of the 2000s fashion trends, wedge sneakers have lost their charm as few people look to add more height to their tennis shoes. This controversial sneaker, even back in its prime, was known for drawing stark opinions. Isabel Wilkinson, the Senior Online Editor for T Magazine, told Repeller in 2012, "I had been told that sneaker wedges were elongating on the leg; with the right skinny jeans, flattering even. But as I spun in front of the mirror, it was decided: I looked like Floyd 'Money' Mayweather on his way into the ring. They cut off my calves in the worst possible place and made me look about a foot shorter than I am, despite the internal lift."

Despite the resurgence of 2000s fashions, wedge-sneakers are not the ones that made the list of trends to make a comeback. However, if you still feel like mixing height with your sneakers, the good news is that platform sneakers are going nowhere anytime soon. Instead of adding a heel to only the back of the show, platform sneakers elevate the whole shoe and add more chicness. An option for this type of look is the Superga 2790 sneaker. Constantly sold out, this shoe is a great way to bring the wedge sneaker into the modern era.

Once a popular fall trend, sock boots have started to see the end of their era. Although boots are always the key fall item, sock boots no longer have a spot in the lineup. Part of the reason why these boots are no longer a trend item is that they are not practical for our busy lives. Sock boots are known for being skin-tight along the top portion around your ankle and leg. If you look at other fall trends, these boots are not practical to simply slip on. While taller sock boots, or second-skin boots, have started trending, the time when we could slip on ankle sock boots is over. 

The newer version of these sock boots, which are essentially tighter knee-high boots, have currently gathered a 50% increase in the 2021-2022 season, according to Stylight. However, there is no mention of their smaller version. Ankle sock boots are not only unpractical but can be difficult to style if you are wearing tighter pants. If you do want to get that tighter feel on your boots, it's best to opt for tall shaft second-skin boots like Khaite's Leather Over-the-Knee Boots, which have more of a structure and interest to them.

One of the trends that no one saw coming nor was prepared for was the dad sneaker. The dad sneaker refers to the oversized chunky sneakers we all saw on our social media feeds that came in a variety of colors. Reminiscent of your dad's hiking shoes, the dad sneaker took over street-style looks. Although they caused a great wave of new fans, it's time to say goodbye to the overly chunky sneaker. Despite that chunky shoes will remain on trend for fall, the oversized and multi-colored chunky sneaker, like the Balenciaga Runner Sneakers, is officially out. 

Although Balenciaga carried the dad sneaker trend with their over-the-top chunkiness, people are starting to see that perhaps they don't need to carry around extra weight when walking in their shoes. Instead, Zappos recommends opting for the smaller version of these sneakers, the retro sneaker. These are multi-colored sneakers that are small in comparison to the dad sneakers but still deliver the same style as the dad sneaker. With more trends gearing towards a retro style, these sneakers are sure to be the next replacement for the dad sneaker.

Fashionistas of every stripe have learned their lesson by now: it never pays to sling too much mud at an outgoing trend. Sometimes, before you've had time to clean yourself off, it's made a triumphant return. So, try to be gracious as you offer a gentle good riddance to slingback shoes in fall 2022 (via Who What Wear). To be fair, the style boasts its share of fans, and while some may still wear these shoes, they're not necessarily in style on a broader scale anymore.

If you're conflicted about the respective charms and hazards of slingbacks, you're probably admiring photos of Ann-Margret, who made them look as good in the 1960s as she did in the 1990s. Only some things — and a star that oozes glamour as effortlessly as Ann-Margret — are ageless.

Many women have been known to ponder, "Shouldn't my leg bend naturally at the knee?" You can forgive the question, especially if you see them struggling to find a comfortable position in knee-high boots. It may have been a silent struggle, but at least it may be one they won't have to wrestle with this fall now that knee-high boots have apparently skulked into the past (via Who What Wear). 

Farfetch correctly notes that the boots have long been a style that is among "the hardest to nail." This is mostly because many women feel they have to stand tall to carry off the style with aplomb. Even then, the sheer height of the boot can have a divisive effect, focusing undue attention on the lower leg. The departing trend may also dispense with some other ponderings: "Should I wear my slacks tucked into the boot or draped over the top?" The answer often depended on whether a woman expected to bend at the knee.