Flat lace-up shoes: how to wear the Spring 2026 trend with balloon pants, midi skirts, Bermuda shorts, dresses and barrel jeans.
There is a moment of the year when sandals are not yet the only option and closed-toe footwear begins to make sense again. For those days with fluctuating temperatures, the flat-sole lace-up designs emerge as an alternative that blends comfort, practicality, and a refined air.
The trend reclaims the codes of classic men’s shoes, but brings them into more feminine and contemporary territory. The lasts can be flat, with rounded or almond-shaped toes, while the lacing remains subtle. On the Spring/Summer 2026 runways, the men-inspired flats and lace-ups occupied a prominent place.
From the Classic Black to the Colors That Make a Difference
Black remains one of the easiest options to incorporate, especially when the goal is to build a look with a classic-inspired vibe. But the season also opens the door to bolder versions.
Among them, silver and green hues appear, providing a contrasting touch without altering the shoe’s essence. Alberta Ferretti, for example, incorporated golden and silver metallic details in her Spring/Summer 2026 collection, within a line that also focused on the idea of comfortable elegance.
The key lies precisely in that contrast: a shoe with a traditional appearance can completely change when it appears in an unexpected color.
With Balloon Pants: Volume Up Top, Sleeker Lines Below
Balloon pants or those with a curved silhouette are among the garments that best allow playing with this type of footwear.
The trousers’ volume creates a bold silhouette, and the flat shoe provides a more defined base. The result feels contemporary, especially when opting for a lace-up model with clean lines.
The idea can also be extended to barrel-leg jeans, which maintain the curved volume in the legs. Recent seasons’ street style has shown how these looser shapes coexist with flat footwear inspired by classic aesthetics.
With a Midi Skirt: The Contrast That Works
One of the most interesting combinations emerges when lace-up flats are worn with a midi skirt.
The skirt’s length allows the footwear to have presence without necessarily becoming the focal point of the look. A flowing, fluid skirt can create an attractive contrast with a more structured shoe, while a more tailored silhouette can reinforce its sophisticated edge.
This play between garments with different codes also appears in Spring/Summer 2026 flats proposals: masculine-inspired shoes are worn with dresses, skirts, and other pieces with softer silhouettes.
With Bermuda Shorts: The Most Relaxed Formula
Bermuda shorts also find a good counterpoint in these shoes. The short length leaves the footwear more exposed and allows the laces and the shoe’s shape to play a more visible role within the ensemble.
For a mid-season look, the combination can lean on tailoring pieces or more relaxed items, depending on the style pursued. The result shifts between casual and sophisticated, without the need to resort to a heel.
With Dresses and Balloon Skirts: The Casual Touch
Another option this trend proposes is using lace-up flats to tone down the formality of a more feminine garment.
A formal dress, for example, can take on a more everyday vibe when paired with a flat lace-up model. The same happens with balloon skirts, a voluminous silhouette that finds an interesting counterpoint in footwear with more classic lines.
The combination of romantic or voluminous garments with menswear-inspired shoes is not new, but it regains momentum within the current interest in flats and silhouettes that prioritize comfort.
Flat Sole, but Also Heavier Versions
Although the flat-soled version captures a large share of attention, the trend does not stop there. Designs with sturdier soles also appear, and even track-inspired versions, which push the classic lace-up shoe toward a more defined aesthetic.
Thus, the same code can adapt to very different styles: from a minimalist and lightweight model to one with more volume and a stronger urban imprint.
The season, in short, does not propose a single way to wear them. The appeal of these shoes lies precisely in their ability to accompany different silhouettes: from a barrel jeans to a midi skirt, passing through Bermuda shorts, balloon pants, and dresses.
