No longer just the mainstay of our casual wardrobes, flat shoes have been an integral part of our work and evening outfits for several seasons now, thanks to Prada and Gucci’s iconic black and metallic leather loafers, Saint Laurent’s brown suede numbers, Lanvin’s elegant flats and Miu Miu’s contemporary ballet pumps.

There are several new product launches to get excited about, too. Heritage brand GH Bass is known for its classic penny loafer, and this month the brand is launching its first ballet flat, the Selma, made from super soft nappa leather and featuring its signature stitching detail on the front of the shoe. Dear Frances also introduced its own contemporary square-toe loafer (the Drew) in black leather earlier this year, and for spring, the brand is launching the same silhouette in a mid-blue denim leather. The minimal silhouette and playful fabric is the perfect partner to slouchy tailoring and this season’s double denim trend.

Clearly, the square-toe silhouette is here to stay, and a range of stylish square-toe flats were spotted on the autumn/winter catwalks in New York and Milan.

In New York, Calvin Klein Collection returned to the schedule as creative director Veronica Leoni showcased her debut for the brand. An ode to monumental minimalism, the autumn/winter 2025 collection built on the idea of clothes for life with a focus on wardrobe staples that marry minimalism with the power of self-expression: the coat, the trench, the crombie, the suit, the silk blouse, the shirt – and tying it all together were neat, elegant square-toe flats.

Leoni said: “My goal is to define an ultimate and definitive expression of monumental minimalism and pureness through shape and craft, bringing Mr Klein’s original vision and distinctive approach into the current day.”

Outerwear and tailoring was a major focus in Milan, with elongated, streamlined and refined silhouettes in a palette of natural shades on display at Tod’s autumn/winter show – all enriched by accents of deep burgundy and olive green, alongside classic black and white. A highlight was an update on the Barretta shoe, with its distinctive metal band, which came as a loafer and a riding boot – both with an elegant square-toe silhouette.

Images: courtesy of brands