Stylist Tells Us The Outdated Shoe Trends To Avoid In Fall 2024

Sorry, boo, but summertime is nearly over. Sun-drenched beach days and fruity cocktails on the patio are coming to an end — and your summer wardrobe with it. Instead, open your arms to colorful foliage, frothy pumpkin spice lattes, and, best of all, a fall-ready wardrobe. There's no better way to begin the new season than by reorganizing your closet to prepare for cable-knit sweaters and your favorite pair of boots. This fall, shoe trends call for understated footwear options, and the following assortment of heel trends and details, including platforms, busy designs, and kitten heels, failed to make the list.

It's still too early to pinpoint what all the it-girls will be wearing, but it's safe to say you won't catch any of them walking around in these outdated trends. As such, Glam spoke to Peter Martinez, co-founder and fashion stylist/designer at Leather Skin Shop, a fashion brand based in the USA, for insider advice on all the footwear faux pas to watch out for as we stylishly step into autumn.

It's time to say goodbye to your Lizzie McGuire flip-flops and all-purpose platform mules as we embrace a much more grounded trend for fall 2024. "We saw towering heels dominating the footwear scene last year and well up [until] spring 2024, but not anymore," Peter Martinez reveals during an exclusive chat with Glam. "It's time to purge sky-high platform shoes and swap them with sleek and comfortable options like classic pumps. This shift reflects a broader desire for wearability and sophistication in footwear."

You heard it here first, folks. Fall 2024 is all about polished footwear, so clunky sandals and heels are no-gos. Instead, reach for chic, pointed-toe pumps and standard Mary Janes. Both of these options align with the season's trademark academic fashion trend, as they pair wonderfully with cozy sweaters, wool skirts, and tailored trousers. To be clear, heels are still very much "in" — just steer clear of chunky platforms.

Maximalist embellishments were en vogue for spring 2024 shoe trends, and this carried into summer trends with the colorful sneaker craze. Although the trend did veer off course with the sudden popularity of caged sandals, suede clogs, and mesh ballerina flats, the maximalist flame continued to burn in these exciting designs.

That said, maximalism is once again out for fall, so it's time to flip this playful style on its head and introduce a bit more subtlety back into our footwear. "Bling and shine was all the rage a few months ago. However, shoes that are excessively embellished with rhinestones, sequins, or other decorative elements are falling out of trend," Peter Martinez exclusively reveals to Glam. "For fall 2024, opt for minimalistic designs and subtle sparkly details to portray your elegance." This advice communicates a return to classy shoe options with delicate patterns and seasonally appropriate shades. Swap your coral-pink heels for nude or black ones, and you'll be good to go.

Asymmetric strap details on open-toed shoes can take a regular pair of heels and turn it into something contemporary and refreshing. However, that isn't quite the feel that we're going for as we inch closer to chilly sweater weather. "While they look creative, asymmetrical toe-exposing shoes [aren't trending anymore]" Peter Martinez exclusively shares with Glam. "As the official beginning of fall is approaching, it's time to keep the toe-bearing shoes aside and save the shelf space for classic closed-toe pumps, mules, and boots." You can't go wrong with any of these fall favorites, so leave the toe loops and strappy pumps for another time, and fall back in love with traditional closed-toe heels.

Now, that isn't to say that you can't have fun with your footwear, but you can't go wrong with refined classics, such as sleek boots, horse-bit loafers, and black court shoes. You can even branch out with one of the trendier cold-weather shoe options, like shearling-lined mules.

This one goes without saying, as you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who can pull off wedges once the summer months come to a close. However, if you needed a reminder that wedges don't mesh well with a fall wardrobe, here it is. "The bulky silhouette and casual style of the wedges don't vibe with the contemporary trends. The chunky soled espadrille and cork wedges are considered outdated for fall 2024," Peter Martinez explains exclusively to Glam.

When you've finally packed up your beach holiday wedges and canvas espadrilles, keep an eye out for sensible fall alternatives such as Chelsea boots, slim sneakers, loafers, and ballet flats. If you're itching for some height, lean toward biker boots, rider boots, and suede booties. Lug-sole loafers and Mary Janes will make a brief appearance, as they often do once the temperature drops, but slimmer shoe options will be a safer bet this year.

This one might come as a shock to some, but the kitten heel trend from spring and summer is unlikely to carry into the latter half of the year. "Kitten heels enjoyed their reign as the top most-favored shoe trend for 2024, [but] they are slowly waning as we approach the fall season," Peter Martinez exclusively tells Glam. "The small heel height can make them look dated, and you can swap them with taller block-heeled shoes and boots." Conversely, in many people's minds, the kitten heel never broke free from its old-fashioned associations. There has been an undeniable resurgence of this shoe in 2024, but it's only a matter of time before the train runs out of steam and everyone grows bored of these barely there stilettos. 

Ultimately, the cyclical nature of shoe trends is to blame for this dramatic shift in fall footwear. Your choice of shoe suggests a lot about you as a person, so even if your wardrobe isn't up to par, avoiding these outdated trends is a surefire way to make you feel put-together.