At Gucci’s Resort 2025 show, held at Tate Modern and in the presence of Solange Knowles and Paul Mescal, Sabato De Sarno sent only flat shoes down the catwalk. From elegant square-toe ballet flats to classic Gucci loafers with chunky soles, there wasn’t a heel to be seen. Along with loose-tailored denim and oversized workwear shirts on the catwalk, flat shoes further illustrate the shift we’ve made into more informal dressing – with a nod to comfort – since the pandemic.

“We have observed an evolution over the past few seasons,” says Albane Desazars de Montgailhard, fashion insights analyst at Tag Walk. “We’ve seen an increase in flat shoes and low heels on the catwalks. At the Resort 2025 collections, we spotted 16% of flat shoes, a 498% increase compared to the previous year. And brands like Gucci and Dior featured 100% of flat shoes at their shows.”

At Dior the emphasis was on heavy-buckled flat boots and elegant wellingtons worn with everything from embellished jeans to sheer tulle skirts. There seems to be a move towards flat shoes and boots rather than trainers, and I have found myself embracing more formal styles of flat like the Mary Jane and structured fisherman sandals. Colourful, retro-style trainers are having a real moment, but in my previously trainer-heavy wardrobe, I can spot more shoes creeping in.

Why flat shoes are on the rise on the Resort 25 catwalks