Closed-Toe Ballet Flats and Backless Mules Replace Sandals as Autumn Footwear Trend

Fashion editors note a shift from sandals to closed-toe shoes for the upcoming fall season. Model Karlie Kloss was photographed in Los Angeles wearing olive‑green suede ballet flats, sparking a surge in similar styles from brands such as Madewell, Nordstrom and Manolo Blahnik.

Around the same time, model Kaia Gerber highlighted backless closed‑toe mules during a press tour for the series The Shards. The shoes, designed with French brand Repetto, were paired with a little black dress and presented as an autumn alternative to peep‑toe pumps. Designers including Dior, Loewe and Stella McCartney have showcased comparable backless styles on recent runways.

Together, these celebrity endorsements underline a broader trend toward warm, closed‑toe footwear—suede ballet flats and backless mules—as the preferred look for transitional weather.