Quiet Luxury, Who? 32 Maximalist Shoes That Are Screaming for Attention

If you were to do a quick scroll through social media, street style shots, and runway stills, you could undoubtedly conclude that minimalism is having a moment. For some, this era in fashion is a welcome change, as the constant pressure to keep up with what's "trending" can be unsustainable emotionally, financially, and for the planet. But that doesn't mean the movement toward utilitarism has eradicated all maximalist trends. In fact, in almost direct opposition to the cultural push to embrace a curated capsule wardrobe, we've seen one anti-minimal accessory trend dominate the zeitgeist: maximalist shoes. 

For the dialed-in fashion crowd, it's no surprise that over-the-top footwear has gone viral as the quiet-luxury movement has taken off. It may seem like an oxymoron, but the most stylish people know fashion is all about balance—it's the ability to mix high and low, blend minimalism and maximalism, and pair staples with statement items. Yes, it's imperative to curate an arsenal of basics, but it's also vital to have styling tricks to keep said items from feeling stale. Shoes happen to be the easiest solution to styling qualms.

Despite the larger cultural push toward pragmatism, it's no wonder we've seen flamboyant footwear dominate spring/summer 2024 and fall/winter 2023 collections. These larger-than-life styles offer a bit of noise in an otherwise quiet time. For some, this trend is music to their ears, but if you're not sold on this tune just yet, you'll want to keep reading. We've identified the four biggest fall shoe trends that walk on the more eclectic side. Plus, we shopped out the 32 best maximalist shoes at every price point. Whether you identify as a maximalist to your core or are just curious about how to have more fun with your fall staples, there's something ahead for everyone. 

1. Furry Friends 

If there's one shoe trend that can keep you from getting cold feet (both literally and figuratively) about embracing a dose of maximalism this fall, it's faux-fur shoes. We saw the style come in everything from fuzzy pumps at Stella McCartney and Givenchy to shearling-covered sandals at Sportmax and Gucci. The versatility in the silhouettes that are available makes them one of the more pragmatic statement items you can purchase for fall. But should that not sell you, keep scrolling to let the shoes do the talking for themselves. 

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2. Sculptural Elements

For those who prefer minimalism, finding a shoe trend that allows one to not step too far out of their comfort zone seemed impossible… until now. Across the fall/winter 2023 runways, we saw designers perfectly walk the fine line between functionality and frivolity through sculptural shoes. What makes this trend alluring is that classic silhouettes are given a modern twist—e.g., black pumps at Ferragamo featured a razor-sharp pointed toe. At Del Core and Dries Van Noten, mules and heels featured slightly curved heels, and at Prada, pointed ballet flats and kitten heels had 3D triangle appliqués. Though each iteration of this trend varied, each used sculptural elements to create shoes that felt futuristic in nature without being too unapproachable.

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3. Hardware Store

Let's be honest. Pulling off statement accessories takes a great deal of work. But if you're the type of person who's not afraid of putting in a little extra styling labor, then footwear with hardware is right up your alley. With the spring/summer 2023 and fall/winter 2023 collections, we saw designers create shoes that looked like they had taken a trip to the hardware store to add various embellishments. For example, at Tory Burch's fall show, we saw riding boots adorned with chunky chains and kitten heels pierced with sculptural metal hoops. At Lanvin and Stella McCartney, pumps were covered in studs. And then there were A.W.A.K.E. Mode's spring/summer 2023 and fall/winter 2023 collections, which featured footwear adorned with gold and silver glinting studs. No matter the types of embellishments used, it's clear that designers were all embracing the perspective that "more is more," at least in regard to footwear. 

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4. Touches of Surrealism

Lastly, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the trend that embodies maximalist footwear to the fullest: surrealism. For a few seasons now, we've seen designers inject touches of surrealism into their collections, and shoes were not immune to this trend. At Off-White's S/S 23 show, shoes featured heels that mimicked the appearance of a slinky. At Loewe, heels featured both lifelike and real balloon appliqués. But it wasn't just earlier seasons that brought a touch of whimsy to their accessories, as we saw JW Anderson's fall collection feature pointed pumps with heels in the form of the brand's initials. And then there was Puppets and Puppets F/W 23 show, in which pumps were adorned with resin flowers and cracked eggs. Sure, some of these shoes are the antithesis of pragmatic, but that's the point. With so much of the cultural conversation being dominated by the push toward all things "low-key," it's fun to have something exist for the sake of fashion. Maximalist shoes may not be for everyone, but you better believe they're worth talking about. 

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