With autumn almost upon us, you may be wondering what’s going to happen to the cute flat shoes you’ve been living in all summer long. Should you retire them to storage, or keep them pride of place in the hope we have a mild autumn ahead? Team Who What Wear is resolutely in the latter camp, convinced that the flats are in fact the perfect shoe to ease you into the colder months.
Of course, we’re not talking about open-toe designs or cotton espadrilles—your feet will freeze if you step out in those come October—but loafers, sturdy ballet flats and brogues are all suitable options to bridge the gap between sandal season and boot season. And as the temperature drops, all you need to do is add a thick pair of socks or tights to tide you over until the weather demands hardier footwear.
To determine exactly which flats are appropriate for cooler climes, we sifted through the new-in pages of our favourite brands. From luxury designers to high-street heroes, it seems that every fashion label under the (faltering) sun is embracing flat shoes for autumn. Whatever your budget, there’s a host of trend-led and classic styles to scoop up and slot into all your transitional outfits, starting with these 26 pairs…
Iconic.
This dainty design is très Parisian.
These will add a statement spin to every look.
Arket’s bestselling ballet flats now come in this cool faux snakeskin finish.
Admittedly not the most practical choice, but they’re just so chic that we can’t resist.
A classic style you’ll pull out for many autumns to come.
COS always delivers on the loafer front. This year, these off-white beauties have caught my eye.
The glossy finish is so striking.
If you want to try out the ballet flat trend without splurging, look no further.
A great shoe for the office and beyond.
Yep, they’re back for yet another autumn. Just add wool socks when the temperature drops.
I love the idea of wearing these on a night out. Guaranteed compliments.
How sleek are these?
These look and feel incredibly luxurious.
If I had the budget, I’d buy all my flats from The Row.
You can pick these up in six different colours and patterns.
These Mary Janes have been given the seal of approval by none other than Alexa Chung.
A favourite among celebs and influencers.
The perfect transitional shoe.
I’d use these to add a bit of edge to a floral midi dress.
These will work with skirts, jeans, dresses… the list goes on.
Deep bottle green is an expensive-looking alternative to black.
I predict two-tone loafers will have their moment this season.
These look really comfy.
This autumn/winter, the chunkier the loafers, the better.
