WGSN predicts a return to smarter dressing
As part of the Micam Milano footwear show at the end of February, trends consultancy WGSN outlined what it sees as the footwear trends manufacturers and brands should be catering to for spring-summer 2026.
One of these is the return to smarter dressing as we move away from the relaxed styles driven by pandemic-driven lockdowns.
Retail data shows strappy dress shoes overtook comfort styles last year, as customers gravitate towards dressing up. “Occasionwear will become more important,” said WGSN consultant Madeline Van Der Hoek.
Another key theme will be shoes with “multisensory” or tactile appeal, with important materials including velvets, suedes and jellied textures.
People’s changing holiday habits – for instance, booking holidays in fringe months – mean that summer styles should be available for a longer portion of the year, said the consultant.
To inform its predictions, WGSN uses six years of retail statistics, as well as social media and event data. It also monitors search engines and tracks influencers and brands.
Image: Micam
