The Winter 2025 shoe trends mark a confident return to sophisticated, sharp footwear that balances aesthetic pleasure with cold-weather practicality. This season’s looks emphasize a sensible yet sleek point of view, moving beyond fleeting maximalism towards silhouettes that are truly enduring. The key trends—ranging from refreshed, city-forward riding boots to dramatically elongated square-toe silhouettes and the surprising emergence of rich red wine tones—all work to bring fresh energy to a well-curated winter wardrobe. Designers successfully mined ’90s nostalgia and modern bohemianism, proving that the best winter footwear is structured, impactful, and perfectly capable of transitioning seamlessly from day-to-night elegance.
The Resurgence of the Riding Boot
The classic riding boot has galloped back into the spotlight, reimagined not for the stable, but for the sophisticated demands of the city street.
This season’s iteration is less equestrian and decidedly more urban, focusing on tall, structured leather shafts that rise elegantly to the knee. On the runways of houses like Hermès, Prada, and Chanel, these glossy, structured boots were styled counter-intuitively—paired with floaty, feminine dresses or textural knits—demonstrating their newfound versatility beyond tailored trousers. The effect is one of quiet, disciplined power, providing a grounding structure to softer garments.
The modern riding boot offers the necessary practicality for winter without sacrificing polish. Its height provides warmth and protection, while the structured leather ensures the silhouette remains crisp and impactful. It’s the ultimate anchor for winter layering, providing a sharp vertical line that works to elongate the leg beneath heavy coats and longer hemlines, cementing its status as an indispensable investment piece.
Western Wear, Refined and Rebooted
The influence of Western-inspired boots continues to hold sway, but the 2025 versions have undergone a significant refinement, prioritizing clean lines and sophisticated finishes over rustic fanfare.
Designers like Louis Vuitton and Gabriela Hearst embraced a contemporary slant, showcasing styles characterized by pared-back finishes, angled heels, and meticulously clean lines. These boots shed the excessive ornamentation often associated with the Western aesthetic, making them surprisingly versatile for high-fashion pairings. They were styled elegantly with tailored coats, pleated skirts, and even delicate lace dresses, proving their ability to integrate into a polished, contemporary wardrobe rather than serving as a costume piece.
Furthermore, subtle textural variations were introduced by brands such as Alberta Ferretti, utilizing croc embossing and brushed leathers to add depth without visible excess. This rebooted Western boot offers a subtle rebellion against expected winter uniformity. Its distinctive shape, particularly the slightly angled heel and pointed toe, provides an architectural interest that is both modern and rooted in a classic silhouette.
The Return of the Square Toe: Snip and Elongate
The distinct, angular look of the square toe has returned, tapping into ’90s nostalgia, but this season’s versions are sharper, cleaner, and dramatically elongated.
Designers including Bottega Veneta and Fendi embraced this silhouette, focusing on an exaggerated “snip” tip that is both bold and clean-lined. The intention behind this extended, squared tip is purely strategic: to visually elongate the leg and provide a sharp, impactful counterpoint to the voluminous and heavier fabrics typical of winter dressing. The shape is most effective when allowed to peek out dramatically from beneath leather skirts or precisely tailored trousers, offering a geometric precision to the look.
Stella McCartney offered slightly softer interpretations, making the trend more accessible for incorporation into any daily winter uniform. Regardless of the interpretation, the resurgence of the square toe signals a move toward footwear that provides a strong, decisive foundation for an outfit, contrasting sharply with the rounded or almond shapes that have dominated recent seasons.
Textural Statements: Snakeskin and Slouchy Boho
Winter 2025 is embracing textural depth through two contrasting but equally effective trends: the subtle statement of snakeskin and the relaxed structure of the slouchy boot.
The season’s embrace of snakeskin solidified its position as a new, highly versatile neutral. Designers opted for subtle tones—grays, taupes, and browns—that are quiet enough to integrate seamlessly into a neutral winter palette while still providing an elevated textural statement. This “second-skin” texture offers a polished alternative to solid black or brown, injecting a subtle dynamism into accessories like kitten-heel knee boots and stiletto ankle boots without competing with the clothing.
In direct contrast, the slouchy ankle boot channels a modern bohemian spirit, with soft folds and an easy volume that creates a relaxed, slightly undone aesthetic. Brands like Balmain and Isabel Marant introduced this silhouette with cleaner lines and richer materials than its aughts-era predecessor. The slouch provides a welcome visual relief against sharp coats and narrow hemlines, or pairs effortlessly under midis and wide-leg trousers, proving that a relaxed structure can still feel utterly polished.
The Richness of Red Wine and Heavy-Step Loafers
The final key trends focus on color and comfort, introducing a deeply saturated hue and a sensible, structured flat.
Burgundy and red-wine tones emerged as a key color trend across the runways, celebrated for their depth, warmth, and surprising wearability. Saturated oxblood and merlot leathers instantly add dimension when paired with core winter neutrals like camel, charcoal, and winter whites, offering a welcome alternative when black or brown feels predictable. This rich color is an easy way to inject sophistication and seasonal relevance into a staple item, whether through a heeled boot or a knee-high style.
Finally, heavy-step loafers provide the ideal solution for days demanding structure without the bulk of a full boot. These leather loafers took on a substantial, almost hefty feel, offering comfort and support. Victoria Beckham styled them for a clean, minimal silhouette, while Miu Miu utilized them to achieve a subtle, collegiate edge, often paired with visible socks and soft knits. The structured, grounded nature of the heavy-step loafer makes it an essential piece for winter workwear and comfortable city strolling.
