Serotonin Shoes Are the Feel-Good Fashion Trend of 2026

2 min read

Fashion’s greatest trick has always been its ability to transport—a John Galliano-era Dior runway felt like stepping into a fantastical period film, much like the dreamlike worlds Matthieu Blazy now conjures at Chanel. Lately, though, the collections have proved that escapism doesn’t require an extravagant wardrobe. Sometimes, all it takes is one exceptionally unique shoe.

During the recent fall/winter 2026 couture shows, that thesis came clearly into focus. Blazy extended the fairy-tale fantasy of his “Jack and the Beanstalk”-themed Chanel presentation to the shoes, which looked lifted from the pages of a storybook. With every light silk mousseline tweed skirt and LBD with mismatched necklaces came equally whimsical footwear.

Some pairs came with pearl-adorned bean sprouts and gilded eggs functioning as heels. Others were fashioned with enamel butterflies, miniature figurines, and flower petals, while a few came with sheer toe caps and tangled beads mimicking the ones shown on the catwalk.

Dior couture fall/winter 2026.

Chanel couture fall/winter 2026.

Dior’s Jonathan Anderson also experimented with the idea in the form of pointed- and square-toe pumps rife with tassels, embellishments, and metallic bows. He also continued the floral themes seen in his designs, with deliciously colored heels adorned with flora that looked plucked from the Jardin des Tuileries.

“Shoes have a collectible element that doesn’t exist in most other fashion products,” says Ryan Kleman, Moda Operandi’s vice president of non-apparel. “It’s not uncommon to hear that someone has more shoes than days in the year. In fact, top clients regularly buy shoes that they know won’t do any walking, but simply to add them to their collection.”

Dries Van Noten spring/summer 2026.

The statement shoe, of course, isn’t entirely novel. It’s one of the most tried-and-true ways to zhuzh a simple outfit—say, a white T-shirt and jeans. But what sets recent iterations apart is their ability to transport their wearers to an entirely different universe. At Chanel and Dior, prim, ladylike pumps are recast with tactile, impish finishes, and at Dries van Noten, Julian Klasner’s print-maxing gets even wilder with sequined, crystallized shoes.

“We are seeing more fun and color in fashion in general lately, and shoes are the perfect entry point to that,” Sophie Cohen, a New York-based fashion creator and consultant, notes. “It’s an easy way to invest in [the] fun without it feeling like you’re wearing something so, so crazy.” She adds, “I just think shoes spark joy. And that is what people are really looking for in fashion these days.”

Valentino fall/winter 2025.

In today’s world, with climate dread and cultural chaos as the backdrop, sometimes a mood booster goes a long way.

Chanel couture fall/winter 2026.