The Prada-Backed Shoe Trend I'm About Ready to Ditch My Pointy-Toe Pairs For
It's talked about a lot in fashion just how consistently Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons determine what people want to buy. Ever since the duo partnered up on the top step at Prada in 2020, practically every collection has led the trends for the season ahead, from the spring 2022's distressed leather jackets and fall 2022's logo-embossed tank tops to spring 2023's vintage nightgowns and fall 2023's white A-line skirts. Their work pretty much always leads to, first, viral success, and second, every other brand under the sun getting in on the action with their own versions of whatever hit Prada and Simons have most recently come up with. For spring, that buzzy item arrived in the form of multicolor satin square-toe mules that debuted at the spring 2024 show and immediately began appearing on every fashion person's mood board for the season ahead.
Prior to the Prada show, pointy shoes (and some almond-toe alternatives) were all anyone could talk about or wear, and while the Milanese brand did include satin footwear in the collection that featured the knife-like edge, they simply didn't blow up in the same way that the square-toe iterations did right out the gate. The fact that the shape was so different from what was big at the time is what made it stand out and, in turn, kickstart a shoe trend that had previously been lacking momentum.
At Prada:
Shortly after, when Louise Trotter unveiled her much-anticipated debut collection for the French fashion house Carven at Paris Fashion Week that same season, more square-toe shoes were present. Unlike at Prada, there were no jewel tones or satiny finishes but instead neutral alternatives in both flat and heeled options, with some of the shoes even coming in a puffed-up version akin to a leather pillow for your feet. And just like that, square toes became *the* shoe trend of the season, and now that both brands' versions are out and on the market, it's time to give them the attention they rightly deserve.
Scroll down to shop square-toe shoes at Carven, Prada, and more for spring and summer.
At Carven:
Shop Carven's and Prada's square-toe mules:
Shop more square-toe shoes:
These just launched, but I'm already predicting a viral future in the cards for them.
If you don't either want these or already own them, I don't think we can be friends.
I know the Tabi ballet flats are great, but I'm way more interested in these easy slides.
If you're into the satin-shoe trend but not yet ready to go for a bright color or out-there shape, try these simple ballet flats with a dainty square toe from Pia Baroncini's fashion brand at Revolve.
A year ago, I maybe would have wished these had a curved toe, but now, the square version is everything.
I don't just love these because we share a name. They're impossibly cute too.
The color of these, plus the high-heel height, makes them virtually regret-proof.
Madewell's shoe game has been hitting lately.
The square-toe detail on these Havaianas flip-flops makes them feel so much more elevated and stylish.
These satin mules are making the rounds at the WWW offices.
These $49 sandals are perfect for traveling. They'll take up no space in your suitcase but will look good with everything—guaranteed.
Wow, I just know that I'd slip these on daily if they were mine.
Am I the only one who's still not over the Barbie trend? I'm sorry, but these pink mules are adorable.
This shade of brown will look so good with white, gray, black, navy—you name the color, and these flats will pair beautifully with it.
Toteme's footwear is simply stunning always. I've never seen a pair I didn't lust after.
Eliza Huber is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and the intersection of sports and fashion. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 from Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a business degree from the University of Iowa. She's launched two columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top runway trends each season. Eliza lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, watching WNBA games, and scouring The RealReal for discounted Prada.
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