Fall’s Biggest Shoe Trends Include Cowboys Boots & Outdoor Slippers

The season for full-coverage footwear is fast approaching. This means saying goodbye to the controversial flip-flop, one of summer’s top footwear styles endorsed by celebrities like Hailey Bieber (who wore a $925 pair by The Row), and hello to lug soles and other fall 2023 shoe trends. 

In particular, autumn is synonymous with practicality: shoes in weatherproof designs and durable materials, boots that reach the knee (and beyond), and so on. But just because the temperatures drop, this doesn’t mean our style-savvy must follow suit. From coveted fashion collections to popular retailers to TikTok, the best and biggest trends for this time of year can be fun as well as functional. 

Ahead, we’re rounding up the top seven among them — including cowboy boots, bedazzled styles, and even a special take on open-toed shoes — to shop now. 

Fall Shoe Trend 2023: Cowboy Boots

With the coastal cowgirl aesthetic racking up close to 160 million views on TikTok, Beyonce’s Renaissance and Taylor Swift’s Eras tours in full swing, and runway labels like Ralph Lauren leaning into the look, expect to find Western boots on fashion’s finest feet this fall.

Fall Shoe Trend 2023: Outdoor Slippers

The best thing about ballet flats is their slip-and-slide simplicity. Add to that the comfort of your favorite pair of house slippers and you’ve got sleek shoes that are fit for the outdoors despite their stay-at-home appeal.

Fall Shoe Trend 2023: Two-Tone Footwear

Designers like Dior, Marni, and Louis Vuitton reverted to classic colorways for their footwear this season with special attention shown to pairings of black and white. Whether it’s on a sneaker, a boot, or a pair of heels, this elegant yet striking two-tone look adds interest to any style.

Fall Shoe Trend 2023: Foldover Boots

For a classic fall boot with a high-fashion touch (see: Givenchy’s Shark Lock Boots), a style with extra material that folds over the shaft of the shoe goes the extra mile. The bold trend applies to chunky utilitarian boots, knee-high stilettos, and everything in between.

Fall Shoe Trend 2023: Bedazzled Footwear

We’ve had our eye on fancy flats and shiny accessories ever since fashion week made its glittering return to in-person programming, and we’re happy to report that sparkles are still trending. When it comes to selecting the style, the blingier, the better this season.

Fall Shoe Trend 2023: Square-Toe Silhouette

Square-toe sandals have been around for quite some time thanks to brands like Bottega Veneta, Rejina Pyo, and By Far, and we love seeing the trend take off for cold-weather shoes, too. Designers like Adam Lippes and Jacquemus favored the boxy silhouettes in their fall/winter 2023 collections, which is reason enough for us to call this trend green-lit for the season ahead.

Fall Shoe Trend 2023: Open Toes With Tights

With bright tights ranking as a top fall fashion 2023 trend, take a styling tip from the runways of Vivienne Westwood, Coperni, Giambattista Valli, and beyond by rocking a pair of open-toed shoes in the same hue for a head-turning, fall-friendly ensemble.

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Boho Dresses Are Back For Fall — Here Are The Elevated Styles To Shop Now

The boho-chic trend is back for fall, and its carefree, free-flowing silhouette is soon to be a favorite dress style for the cooler months. Patterned styles in gemstone shades nestle perfectly within the autumn fashion aesthetic, where they can be paired with ankle boots, sneakers, and jean jackets. Plus, all the layering options make boho dresses a fun piece to have in rotation.

Where bohemian dresses were once meant to be laid-back earthy silhouettes in midi lengths, now the style has evolved into stunning minis and maxis. We've curated a selection of styles that are suitable for fall weddings, work events, spontaneous vacays, date nights, and more. Click ahead to find the 18 best boho dresses from reader-favorite brands like Free People, Anthropologie, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Ulla Johnson. 

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Mini Boho Dresses

Dress cooly but stylishly in a mini dress with a statement neckline. There are one-shoulder frocks, high-neck designs, sweetheart necklines, V-necks, and ones with tie closures. Tights and knee-high boots do the trick when the temp begins to drop.

Shop Farm Rio at Anthropologie

Farm Rio Tropical Leaves One-Shoulder Cutout Dress, $, available at Anthropologie

Shop Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch High-Neck Plisse Mini Dress, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch

Shop Asos Design Curve At Asos

ASOS DESIGN Curve Long Sleeve Floral Print Patchwork Mini Dress, $, available at ASOS

Shop Tuckernuck

Tuckernuck Bermuda Blossom Kenzo Dress, $, available at Tuckernuck

Shop Ulla Johnson

Ulla Johnson Adara Ruffled Floral-Print Silk-Georgette Mini Dress, $, available at Net-A-Porter

Shop City Chic

City Chic Boho Paisley Long Sleeve Dress, $, available at Nordstrom

Midi Boho Dresses

As you begin prepping your collection of fall dresses, stock up on classic midi lengths. The never-failing, always-comfortable frock is a keeper for any occasion. We've picked out ones with sleeves and others that you can layer with a light jacket or cardigan.

Shop Pact

PACT Fit & Flare Open-Back Dress, $, available at PACT

Shop Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters Hyacinth Lace Spliced Midi Dress, $, available at Urban Outfitters

Shop SNDYS

SNDYS Tahlia Dress, $, available at Revolve

Shop BCBGeneration at Nordstrom Rack

BCBGeneration 3/4 Sleeve Midi Dress, $, available at BCBGeneration

Shop Saylor

Saylor Joanie Dress, $, available at Saylor

Maxi Boho Dresses

Jazz up your one-tone wedding looks with fall wedding guest dresses that have soft embroidery details, eye-catching floral prints, and striking thigh-high splits. The floor-length number is a safe bet for brisk weather and unexpected breezes.

Shop Free People

Free People Real Love Embroidered Dress, $, available at Free People

Shop J.Crew

J.Crew Collection Tie-Neck Cap-Sleeve Maxi Dress In Tidewater, $, available at J.Crew

Shop Eloquii

Eloquii Tie Front Maxi Dress, $, available at Eloquii

Shop Dôen

Dôen Bijou Dress, $, available at Dôen

Shop Lulus

Lulus Still The One Emerald Green Floral Print Satin Maxi Dre, $, available at Lulus

Shop Reformation

Reformation Winslow Dress, $, available at Reformation

Shop Ba&sh

Ba&sh Firenza Crochet Dress, $, available at Ba&sh

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20 Wardrobe Staples You Can Wear On Repeat From Now Through Fall

Don’t get us wrong, we’re enjoying summer as much as everyone else, but we’re already looking ahead to the fall, particularly all the chic and cozy fall outfits we’ll be wearing. But what about that (somewhat dreaded) in-between phase? When it’s not too hot and not too cold and not quite sweater weather yet? If you stress over putting together outfits, particularly in that late August through early October phase, then it’s time to refresh your wardrobe with basics for easy-to-throw-together transitional weather outfits. 

If you’re wondering which pieces you can wear from the summer through the fall, we have some proposals for wardrobe staples that can be worn across seasons and styled differently depending on the weather and occasion. From basic T-shirts and denim jackets to midi skirts and ballet flats, we’ve compiled a mix of tops, bottoms, dresses, outerwear, and shoes suitable for summer to fall outfits. For instance, on cooler summer days, opt for light knits and relaxed jackets, and on warmer fall days, layer multiple pieces together. Scroll on to see which clothing items and shoes you can add to your closet right now to help easily build transitional weather outfits.

Transitional Tops

When the weather is cool, you can be lenient with your shirt choices, especially when its chillier because you can just layer up. For a tried-and-true option, you can’t go wrong with a crisp white button-down shirt, no matter the season. Go for one that’s slightly oversized so you can wear it open or closed and with the arms rolled up for a relaxed (and non-sweaty) fit. Classic T-shirts, like the one below, are another go-to. Stick to a clean white color or an off-white creamier color for true fall vibes. Other trends to partake in for the remainder of summer and beyond include layering sheer pieces and donning off-the-shoulder tops, slightly elevating your basics with interesting details.

Transitional Pants & Skirts

For bottoms, you may want to stick to longer hemlines when cooler weather hits, moving away from denim shorts and mini skirts and towards wide-leg jeans and midi and maxi skirts. As we know, denim can be worn effortlessly across all four seasons, but styles like wide-leg jeans and maxi denim skirts are trending — and are particularly great for transitional dressing since they leave some breathing room for your legs. Midi skirts are also just as versatile. Wear them with sandals and sneakers in the summer or heels and boots in the winter (and add a pair of tights underneath if necessary). Or go for a pair of lounge-y tapered pants, like the ones part of the Free People knit sweater set above.

Transitional Dresses & One-Pieces

Another simple way to create a transitional weather outfit is by sticking to a dress or another one-piece, like a jumpsuit or pair of overalls. While you likely have a closet full of summer dresses right now, it’s not too early to start looking for fall dresses. What does this look like exactly? Well, we recommend going for lightweight ribbed dresses, sleeveless so they can be layered with a cardigan or jacket, or short-sleeved with interesting details. They can be super casual or more elevated (think: buttons, belts, collars, and slits). But are you more of a pants person than a dress person? Then consider finding a versatile jumpsuit that can be dressed up or down with your shoes and accessories or a durable pair of overalls that can be paired with a classic T-shirt (see above!)

Transitional Outerwear

It’s layering time. An easy way to cover up without wearing an ultra-cozy and warm long-sleeve top is to throw lightweight outerwear overtop your shirt or dress. A cardigan sweater is so quintessentially “fall,” but you can make it work in the summer too, especially if the fabric isn’t too thick or heavy and if the style has a low neckline or buttons for a non-constricting fit. Other staples that you likely already have in your wardrobe and that you can wear time and time again include denim jackets (like the one below with a vented back), shackets (the brilliant shirt-jacket hybrid), and other relaxed fit jackets (like the wind- and water-repellent one from Lululemon).

Transitional Shoes

As the days and nights get less steamy, you’ll start stepping out of your sandals and flip-flops and into more closed-toe shoes. For an everyday shoe, go for a pair of chic, seasonal-less white sneakers or a pair of open-back flat mules. If you’re looking for a slightly more elevated shoe that you can wear to work (and gives more preppy fall vibes), consider classic loafers. And whether or not you love ballet flats, their resurged trendiness means you’ll continue seeing them throughout the summer and well into the fall. They’re sleek, versatile, and easy to throw on for a put-together outfit.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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3 Ways To Wear Shirt Dresses That Are Anything But Traditional

Summer fashion can be summarized with one statement: grab-and-go. And the ultimate item to achieve this is the shirt dress. From the beach and errands, to the office and sunset cocktail parties, the shirt dress is a tried-and-true summer staple that’s as versatile as summertime schedules demand. 

Yet, I must admit that, as can happen with any classic, I’ve grown bored of the simple shirt dress. It started to feel more Kate Middleton-goes-to-a-polo-match than fashion-forward. While I still  have many in my wardrobe, this summer, I found myself reaching for them less and less. After all, how much innovation can happen with a style that is so straightforward and elementary? 

Turns out, designers said, “Hold my beer.” The spring/summer 2023 collections were filled with inventive ways to wear shirt dresses. Looking back to the summer lineups, it was easy to see that the shirt dress still has room for creativity. 

The Miu Miu spring/summer 2023 collection included long-sleeved tops layered on top of each other to form a mini dress, giving the “no pants” look a new life and redefining what a “shirt dress” can be. Then, there was also the polo shirt fit-and-flare dresses shown by Loewe, which put a quirky spin to the ultra-feminine style. New York-based designer Peter Do, on the other hand, went for an androgynous vibe, deconstructing a menswear-inspired suit by substituting the blazer for a sheer shirt dress on top of black trousers. Burberry also pushed the shirt dress forward via a nylon overcoat with shirt collar. 

With all this inspiration, I set out to find ways to make shirt dresses fun again by trying three styling concepts seen on the spring/summer 2023 runways: utility, deconstructed tuxedo, and the “no pants” look. Here’s how you give a new life to that tired shirt dress.

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Redefine Utility Dressing

Utilitarian fashion is one of 2023’s biggest fashion trends, with cargo pockets, industrial buckles, and nylon materials making their way into high fashion. The shirt dress is one of the easiest ways to try this trend for size. Yet, it doesn’t have to mean sporty. Take, the dress pictured above, a nylon version from Tibi, which I styled with platforms to make the outfit more evening-appropriate than athletic. 

Deconstructed Tuxedo

Given tuxedo dressing is a top fashion trend for 2023, deconstructing menswear-inspired details is one of the best ways to adapt the shirt dress for the rest of summer, as well as the impending fall transitional outfits. While designers like Peter Do opted for a sheer shirt dress to transform a suit, I decided to wear a crisp white shirt dress with a necktie styled as a scarf. It’s part dress, part tuxedo. 

No Pants Look

The “no pants” look has been all over fashion ever since Kendall Jenner wore tights as pants with visible panties from Bottega Veneta. While only wearing underwear or tights is a hard limit for many, turning a shirt into a dress is a good alternative. For this look, I try to go for oversized button-down shirts that are long enough to fit as a mini dress, styling them with anything from loafers to heels. 

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