I Live in NYC and See These 5 Specific Shoe Trends Everywhere I Look

There's not a lot of time for BS when it comes to footwear in New York City. People are bizzay. They're walking here! There are cobblestone streets and subway steps to contend with, not to mention those super-steep, death-trap stairs at Prada's Mercer Street entrance. Work boots and competitive athleticwear aside, footwear on the streets of NYC has to work harder than just about anywhere else, so if a shoe or sandal trend is trending here, it feels like it's really earned it.
I truly love peeping what's going on below the ankles of people in the city. It's where my eyes wander any time I'm waiting at a street corner, sitting on the L, or sitting at an outside table at Casetta or anywhere else with great foot traffic. I'm always on the lookout for what's trending in this fair city and love to talk about it, so humor me by letting me chat you through the five great footwear moments that are dominating the streets right now.
Minimalistic Sandals
More than any other style, I'm noticing super-minimal, flat sandals in classic black and brown, from trending leather toe loops to… What's the opposite of a toe loop? (See the Tkees style below—it's hard to explain!)
Knee-High Boots
The closer I get to Dimes Square, the more I'm seeing boots teamed with breezy sundresses. It's a very specific downtown vibe—extremely cool, a little romantic, and perfect for people who have to GSD (get shit done) around the city on a Saturday when it's 90° before settling down at Le Dive for an orange wine.
Red Styles
I love the way New Yorkers have collectively decided that the red trend has staying power. From flip-flops to strappy heels to mesh flats, the vibe is that this is still what we're adding to low-key, neutral outfits to let the world know we're not totally asleep at the wheel.
Two-Tone Flats
Two-tone Mary Janes and ballet flats really are everywhere I look right now, giving a preppy little something to outfits from SoHo to the UES. Slingback versions feel the coolest, in my humble opinion, especially when you get into iterations like Alexandre Birman's metallic toe-capped suede style below.
Jelly Sandals
It just wouldn't be summer without some kind of footwear from The Row going viral, and Wholesale Replica Bag style to do so is the jelly Mara flats. Originally recognizable from The Row's pre-fall runway last September, the sold-out style is now usually seen peeping out from below tables at Gem Wine. Love 'em or hate 'em, jellies are a force to be reckoned with, from rubber flip-flops to fisherman sandals to perforated flats.

Natalie Cantell is an NYC-based style director, creative consultant, and fashion editor, who regularly contributes from Paris. She was the executive director of Who What Wear and Marie Claire’s brand studio until 2023, and now freelances globally on shoots, stories, and special projects.
-
Bring On the Transitional Weather—29 Perfectly Chic Pieces FromReplica Store to Wear Straight Through Fall
Effortless dressing right this way.
-
This Unexpected Shoe Color Made All the Difference in Pamela Anderson's Elegant Outfit
Shop the fun trend.
-
This Shoe Color Trend Is Chicer Than Black, Burgundy, and Brown
Kaia Gerber agrees.
-
Style Insiders Know These 6 Summer Accessory Trends Make Simple Outfits More Elegant
They bring the sunshine.
-
This Is, By Far, the Sexiest Shoe Trend to Wear With Jeans Right Now
See and shop the style inside.
-
Fall Is Already on My Mind—I'm Prepping My Wardrobe With These 31 ElevatedReplica Store Finds
Each piece is chic and on sale.
-
Owning Any of These 7 Summer Shoe Trends Is a Sign of Good Taste
IYKYK.
-
Over Ballet Flats? In NYC, Fashion People Prefer to Wear Miniskirts With This Sleeker Heel Alternative
Try it and you'll see.