The Tamesis
Minimalist, elegant, powerful: ’90s heels are that girl’s collective style, and they’re back in 2026.
When we think about heel trends and shoe designs for this powerful and stylish decade, most of us think directly of the classic kitten heel. But there are many more options to choose from, with various silhouettes and vibes, ultra-minimalist and minimalist. Think of the big-name heels of the ’90s: Chanel’s two-tone pumps, Miu Miu’s geometric stacked loafers and Prada’s Mary Janes. Now, all this nostalgic style is presented in a more modern way and makes everything even more important.
While there were edgier styles on the spring 2026 runways—from Proenza Schouler’s bow heels to Bottega Veneta’s clogs to Balenciaga’s tough ballet flats—’90s style reigned supreme. There are several reasons for this: They’re understated and sophisticated, adding effortless fun to an outfit, either elevating a simple pair of jeans and a top or adding an extra dose of sex appeal to a mini dress. It’s not without reason that these styles became favorites of the top models of the day.
Of course, retro should be a priority, but there are plenty of cool-girl brands offering their own fresh take on ’90s stomp shoes. Here are six high-heeled shoes trends that will sparkle this season.
6 high-heeled shoes from the 1990s will make a strong comeback in 2026
Dual tone pump
Two-color high heels are making such a comeback, all thanks to Matthieu Blazy. In 1992, Chanel immortalized the iconic shoe in its spring collection, with Linda Evangelista opening the show in a pair of elegant black and white shoes that are still worn on and off the catwalk to this day. Choose the classic triangle toe silhouette and pair it faithfully with skirts, tailoring and dresses, or make it more contemporary with straight-leg jeans.
Pointed toe high heel Mary Jane shoes
