A red shoe has always been magical: from Dorothy’s ruby-red slippers (“Just click your heels together three times...”) to Miranda Priestly’s pitchfork-shaped heel on the cover of the cult classic The Devil Wears Prada. The colour is symbolic in many ways, representing sin in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, or transformation and love in Pretty Woman, as depicted through Vivian’s red opera gown.
Labels like Acne Studios and Saint Laurent embraced the vibrant red shoe in their spring/summer 2025 collections, and the trend continued into the autumn/winter 2025-26 season; The Row showcased the blazing colour in the Viv ballet flats, Gucci through their ’97 heeled pumps, and Toteme via the Bar 85 ankle boots. Call it the Red Nail Theory gone sartorial or simply the fashion world’s collective craving for colour, but crimson is no longer confined to manicures.
Remember the “pop of red” styling trick that started in 2023? A simple outfit instantly shifts when you introduce one standout piece in a bold shade of scarlet, ruby, or crimson. Our theory? It works best when it’s on the feet, anchoring the outfit. These shoes carry all the drama of the colour but in a way that’s balanced and statement-making without screaming for attention.
Outrunning the neutrals
On a pair of trainers, red becomes that perfect midpoint between effortless and standout. Models like Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski have been spotted running errands in a suede Miu Miu pair and in the Puma Speedcat OG in a Ferrari-red respectively. Alohas’s TB.490 Rife sneakers blew up on TikTok this year. While the Hawaiian brand makes them in 21 colours, the bright red ones are the ones you want to add to cart. Then there’s the Adidas Tokyo, which is a sportier take on the trend, with glossy patent leather and the iconic three stripes reimagined in silver. Prefer a classic? You can’t go wrong with the Speedcat. It’s an icon for a reason.
