These '90s and 2000s shoe trends are stepping back into fashion
These '90s and 2000s shoe trends are stepping back into fashion this fall, as nostalgic footwear including platforms, Mary Janes, jelly shoes, and square-toe boots returns with a cooler, more modern spin on store shelves and celebrity red carpets nationwide. As Y2K and '90s pop culture nostalgia peaks—from NBA flashbacks to Hollywood reboots—the era's It shoes are walking back into the spotlight.
Key Takeaways
- Platforms, Mary Janes, jelly shoes, and square-toe boots are the standout throwback styles for fall 2026.
- Steve Madden has re-released its iconic Slinky Sandal as sky-high shoes surge again.
- A-listers including Jennifer Lawrence are embracing updated takes on early-aughts favorites.
- Cher Horowitz's silver Mary Janes in "Clueless" helped define the single-strap look for a new generation.
- Budget-friendly options from brands like Old Navy make square-toe boots accessible at any price point.
Why Are These '90s and 2000s Shoe Trends Back in Style?
This summer has been packed with flashbacks to Y2K and '90s pop culture, and the footwear is following suit. Page Six reports that several nostalgic styles are back and better than ever, refreshed for 2026 rather than copied straight from a decade-old closet.
The revival ties into a broader cultural moment. From the Knicks' championship run to the "Legally Blonde" prequel, audiences are craving familiarity—and designers are delivering platform flip-flops, jelly ballet flats, and square-toed boots with contemporary polish.
Which Nostalgic Shoe Styles Are Dominating Fall 2026?
Platforms are reaching new heights of popularity, echoing the Spice Girls era and Naomi Campbell's Vivienne Westwood runway moments. Whether styled as flip-flops, slides, or sneakers, platforms are appearing on modern stars and retail shelves. Steve Madden has even re-released its iconic Slinky Sandal.
Mary Janes never truly left, but Cher Horowitz's silver flats in "Clueless" made the single-strap design an obsession for a generation. Today, similar styles are showing up from Paris Fashion Week to Hollywood on repeat.
Jelly shoes are another Y2K staple making a comeback. While celebrities wore fisherman-style jelly sandals in the early aughts, stars like Jennifer Lawrence now favor more refined, netted designs—including luxury options from The Row.
Square-toe shoes round out the trend. Cindy Crawford and Halle Berry wore similar boots throughout the '90s, and square-toed knee boots remain an effortlessly chic fall pick—with affordable pairs available from early-aughts mainstay Old Navy.
Who Is Wearing These Throwback Shoes on the Red Carpet?
Celebrity style often signals what lands in everyday wardrobes, and these retro looks are no exception. A-listers are stepping out in platform sandals, Mary Jane flats, and modern jelly designs at premieres and fashion weeks across the globe.
Jennifer Lawrence has been spotted in updated jelly-style flats, while the Mary Jane silhouette continues to dominate street style from Paris to Los Angeles. For more on how stars shape what we wear, browse our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.
According to Page Six, commerce editor Hannah Southwick curated the season's top nostalgic picks—from Free People Zoe Platforms to Reformation Claudette Knee Boots—proving the '90s and Y2K shoe revival is built for 2026 and beyond.