- Business Insider spoke to three professional stylists about shoes that will be in and out in 2025.
- It looks like ballet flats and Tabi shoes are still going to be in style.
- Unless you're wearing platforms, Crocs aren't in for 2025.
Before clicking "purchase" on those shoes in your cart, get yourself up to date on the latest trends.
Business Insider asked three professional stylists which shoes are in and out right now. Here's what they said.
Get comfortable in Uggs.
Stylist Kim Appelt told BI that prioritizing comfort is back in style, making it a great time to invest in a pair of Uggs.
Over the past few years, different iterations of the famously comfy shoes, such as Tasman slippers and mini platform boots, have become more popular.
This year, the stylist predicts the classic, tall brown boot will be trending.
Ballet flats are still on-trend.
Ballet flats are versatile and comfortable, and they're not going out of style anytime soon.
"Ballet flats are like God's gift to Earth," Ceila "CQ" Quarles, a designer at CQ Studios who's styled musicians and rappers, told BI. "It's a shoe that you can fit in your purse. You can't go wrong with it — it's like being barefoot."
Their ease of wear nicely fits into the current comfortability trends, and they're suitable for both street and office wear.
Booties are a reliable staple.
Sandra Okerulu, a celebrity stylist, said booties will never go out of style.
The short boots that end near the ankles can be worn for multiple occasions, making them a practical choice for your closet. They're also more inclusive for calves of all sizes than taller boots, which is a plus.
The stylist specifically recommends looking into pairs from Donald Pliner.
It's not too late to get into Tabi shoes.
Whether you love or hate them, Tabis have been in the spotlight for over a year — and CQ said the split-toe shoes popularized by brands like Maison Margiela are still going strong.
"I myself own a pair that I run into the ground," she said. "I'm planning on getting at least two more for 2025."
They come in multiple styles, including flats, heels, and boots, and CQ told BI it's not too late to hop on the trend.
Cowboy boots keep trending.
With big-name celebrities like Beyoncé leaning into country aesthetics, it's no surprise that cowboy boots have made a comeback. So far, it seems like the trend is sticking around this year.
"We just tapped into it because we know that it's trendy," Okerulu said. "It's fashionable, it's cute."
If you want something on trend that doesn't scream country, Appelt suggests looking into Isabel Marant's cowboy-style boots.
Loafers are set to be huge this year.
Both Okerulu and CQ agreed that loafers are going to be well-favored this year, largely due to trending dark-academia and preppy aesthetics.
Okerulu specifically highlighted Franco Sarto loafers, saying the brand does interesting things with textures, colors, and designs.
Go out on the town in mules.
Okerulu said mules are going to be the perfect going-out shoe in 2025.
"Mules with a chunky heel, a slim heel, whatever you desire — those never go out of trend," she told BI.
Popular brands like Sam Edelman, Nine West, and Schutz have stylish selections of mules available if you need to refresh your collection.
Add a few inches to any look with platforms.
CQ sees platforms — on everything from sneakers to boots — as a universally popular look for 2025.
She told BI that adding platforms to any outfit makes it "immediately hotter."
The stylist has also noticed more people sporting the elevated shoes with evening wear and in casual, everyday settings.
On the other hand, it may be time to say goodbye to Crocs.
Although Crocs certainly made a comeback in recent years, Okerulu said you may want to hold off on buying another pair.
The stylist said she thinks the rubber shoes should only be used for practical purposes, like if you have a job where you're on your feet for a long time and need a comfortable shoe.
However, CQ said, platform Crocs are an exception as they still fit into this year's high-sole trends.
Shark boots are done.
Shark boots, known for their oversized silhouette that falls down to the heel of the shoe, probably aren't a practical addition to your 2025 wardrobe.
Okerulu said they're more of a "one-time thing" due to their uncomfortable fit and over-the-top flair. They're just not versatile enough to stick around.
Minimalist styles, like booties, seem to be taking their place this year.
