Zara Just Delivered 5 Pretty Spring Shoe Trends That Will Replace Your Black Flats

During one of my weekly scrolls through Zara’s new-in section, I realised that everything I was adding to my basket was shoes. Yes, I am so impressed by the high-street giant’s shoe offering right now that not only did I instantly buy two pairs for myself (more on those later), but I think the footwear may actually be out-performing ready-to-wear for the first time in an age.

If you’re put off by the idea of queueing in a packed store or scrolling through hundreds of new pieces, allow me to summarise: there is literally a pair of shoes for every spring outfit you’ve been dreaming about wearing for the past few dreary months. Think pretty flats, polished heels, chic slip-ons and summer-ready sandals—you name it, it’s here, and I’ve compiled them all into one easy edit for your perusal, and they all come in at under £90.

(Image credit: Zara)

The below picks are the kind of spring and summer shoes that you’re going to wear on rotation for the next six months and into next year too, so expect shoes with some serious staying power. From pointed toes to metallics and work shoes to fun prints, assembling your spring wardrobe just got easier. Keep scrolling for the cream of the crop of Zara shoes this season—you won’t regret it.

1. LADYLIKE COURTS AND SLINGBACKS

(Image credit: Zara)

If quiet luxury taught us anything, it’s how to make the most out of simple and uncomplicated pieces, and the evolution of the luxe-looking trend is “ladylike” glamour—think twin sets, pencil skirts, pointed shoes and sleek accessories that are one part office siren, one part 1950s housewife. Case in point: the return of the kitten slingback. Zara has plenty of pairs in this classic style and several elegant court shoes in an array of spring-ready pastels that can be dressed up with sheer socks for a nod to runway styling.

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2. ’90s MINIMALISM

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The ’90s called, and nostalgic shoes are making a comeback. Most notably, wedges, mules, strappy sandals and frankly anything that wouldn’t look out of place on a Calvin Klein billboard. Fans of pared-back minimalism will be happy to see these no-muss, no-fuss shoes all over the high street again, and if you’re looking for a subtle accompaniment to a look that lets the outfit do the talking, may I suggest any of Zara’s leather flats? Or even the mesh ballet pumps. Then again, there’s also the mules…

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3. DRESSED-UP FLATS

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The best styling advice I can give you in 2024? Leave the blister plasters at home; we’re wearing our flats for the evening too, so there’s no need to pack an emergency pair of flip-flops. When pumps, loafers and sandals look as good as these, there really isn’t any need to rely on towering platforms to make an entrance, and whether you’re dressing up for the office or keeping it comfortable for the weekend, there’s a flat shoe with your name on it. (I’ve got my eye on the red patent pair that wouldn’t look out of place on the streets of Paris.)

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(Image credit: Zara)

Now here is a trend whose roots we can trace right back to the S/S 24 runways. This elevated take on embellishment is the shoe equivalent of gilding a lily. Sculptural heels and chunky metal details give these affordable shoes designer appeal—proof that you don’t actually have to spend four figures to look like you did. At first glance any of these pairs could be from Jil Sander or Loewe due to their directional design, so let’s just keep the truth between us (for now, that is).