According to Kendra Sharpe, stylist and founder of Kendra Sharpe Styling and Creative, boat shoes are having a full revival right now. She said these shoes are nostalgic, thriftable, and easy to wear worn-in.

In addition to the classic style, designers and fast-fashion retailers are also updating this look with modern shapes and colors.

Patrick Kenger, the lead personal stylist and founder of image-consulting company Pivot, said slimmer, retro-inspired runners are becoming the dominant sneaker shape right now.

In line with the broader minimalist shift, these sneakers are simple in design, often featuring thin soles, low profiles, and clean uppers that create a more streamlined look.

Kenger recommends sticking to neutral shades like black, gray, or white because they work seamlessly with a wide range of outfits without competing for attention.

According to Kenger, chunky Chelsea boots and similar lug-sole styles will remain popular this season, especially as the colder months approach.

He told BI that these heavier soles also work particularly well with wide or straight-leg pants because the structured base helps visually fill out the hem and balance today’s more loose shapes.

Both stylists said they’re seeing mules and clogs everywhere right now.

From backless loafers to soft suede clogs, Sharpe said these slip-ons work across genders and are easy to style with everything from jeans to trousers.

Kenger told BI that many of the updated versions also come in neutral colors, which pair well with casual pants.

According to Sharpe, hiking sneakers are gaining popularity off the trail this season. She said this is due to people gravitating toward practical shoes with bungee laces, tech-focused materials, and an overall outdoor look.

“They read less like performance gear and more like casual streetwear now, so they’re easy to pair with leggings, trousers, or even dresses,” Sharpe told BI.

Kenger said he’s seeing many people move away from stiff, glossy finishes and toward softer materials in neutral tones.

“Loafers in suede are really big right now, especially in soft grays, tans, and taupe,” the stylist told BI.

As minimal styles take over, he said these muted neutrals are becoming the go-to for an understated, modern look.

According to both stylists, dramatic distressing is falling out of favor.

Kenger said that even retro-inspired sneakers are leaning more polished and streamlined, stepping away from the overly dirty, beat-up aesthetic.

Sharpe told BI that trends now favor softer textures and subtle wear, rather than anything intentionally scuffed or heavily worn.

Kenger said that sleek, narrow, sharply pointed styles, especially in flats and loafers, don’t align with the softer, more relaxed direction footwear is heading.

“We’re swapping the sharp, pointy, shiny stuff for rounded toes and softer fabrics,” Kenger told BI.

Instead, the stylist suggests trying rounded-toe options and more organic shapes.

Loud, heavily branded footwear, once a status symbol, is losing momentum as fashion shifts toward quiet luxury, according to Kenger.

“We had these really logo-driven, metallic sneakers, and all of that is trending out,” the stylist told BI. “People are going for quiet luxury now.”

Instead of metallic finishes or oversize logos, he recommends opting for cleaner, more understated designs.