You heard it here first: Moccasin shoes are shaping up to be the look du jour this season. The emerging fall shoe trend comes hot on the heels of the boat shoe craze; now, though, all signs point to softer, more stitched autumn. And we’re totally here for it, as the silhouette serves up a second-skin feel—many could even double as slippers.
Glamour’s moccasin trend edit
But what are moccasin shoes, anyway? The word is Algonquian, used to describe the heelless footwear, traditionally crafted from animal skin, that has been worn by Native Americans for hundreds of years. Fast forward to the 20th century, and moccasins have become a popular casual shoe, combining the sleek elegance of a penny loafer with the secure lacing of a boat shoe—and the comfort level of Ugg boots.
This season, luxury labels like Miu Miu, Isabel Marant, and Tod’s tapped into the cozy-cute look, along with contemporary brands like J.Crew, Everlane, and Free People serving up accessible (and equally fashion-forward) styles made of suede, sheepskin, and shearling. And considering the growing popularity of so-called “soft loafers,” the look is only going to get way bigger from here.
Celebrities have given these slip-on shoes their seal of approval, too. Jennifer Lawrence is quite loyal to The Row’s Lucca Moccasins, which she owns in black and has been snapped wearing year-round. Elle Fanning is another proponent of the look, having stepped out in brown suede moccasins from Prada last year. Our prediction? It’ll only be a matter of time before additional stylish stars—and the rest of us—follow their lead.
What fueled the recent fascination with moccasins? Well, for one, the shoes are in step with the boho trend that’s slowly been gaining steam over the last few seasons. In the ’60s, they were the de facto silhouette for the hippie set, who often turned to Minnetonka for their moccasin fix. The soft-sole shoes align with this free-spirited aesthetic due to their natural, comfortable vibe. What’s more, mocs pair well with other hallmark boho essentials, including flowy blouses, wide-leg jeans, and suede bags. And in addition to sleek suede or leather iterations, lace-up, fringe, and beaded moccasins nod to the craftsmanship and level of detail that you can find if it suits your style.
Still, for those whose style leans more quiet luxury than boho, we’d argue that moccasins are just as versatile as sleek boat shoes and suede loafers. To get the look, style your favorite pair with wide-leg trousers and a cashmere sweater for work, or with track pants and a funnel-neck jacket for the weekend. Give the trend a spin with our edit of must-have moccasins ahead. (Warning: They’re so comfortable, you may never want to take them off.)
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