When it comes to transitioning your wardrobe from winter to spring, your footwear is often the last thing to change over. The arrival of sunshine and double-digit temperatures sees wool coats quickly shed in favour of lightweight jackets and jeans swapped for fresh trouser trends. Footwear, however, simply receives a style update.
The boots you wore all winter long will easily see you through spring and into the summer months when paired with floaty midi skirts and dresses. As for your loafers, you can finally go sock-free – if you can bear the blisters, that is. There's no denying the workwear staple has developed a reputation with its structured silhouette and often stiff leather fabrications prone to painful rubbing, especially at the heels. Finding a comfortable pair is a sartorial challenge that shouldn't be underestimated.
Luckily, this spring has the perfect remedy: backless loafers.
Ideal for those who love the look of a loafer, backless loafers instantly add polish to any ensemble in the same way as their closed-back counterparts, but with an added ease and wearability thanks to their slip-on, mule design. More akin to a slipper, there's less stuffiness in the style that suits warm-weather wear and works well for both day and night dressing.
In fact, the outfit options are pretty much limitless, but there was a clear preference for dresses on the spring/summer 2026 runways. While Bottega Veneta paired slimline minimal silhouettes with fitted midis, both Victoria Beckham and Celine opted for statement minis.
Styling aside, what about the shopping options? Next's Forever Comfort® Leather Ruched Mules in this season's chicest print nail the comfy requirement, as well as ticking off an extra trend with the zebra pattern. Plus, the ponyhair finish looks way more expensive than their £48 price tag! If you prefer a classic, you can't go wrong with H&M's leopard print design, or any of the neutral – but no less stylish – picks we've rounded up below.
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Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
