Hot Take: These Are the Most Important Shoes to Own in 2026

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Models on the Chanel runway in a subway station.
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)

With the Chanel shopping frenzy that has overtaken the French fashion house's boutiques everywhere from Paris to New York, there have been some items in such heavy demand that they are nearly impossible to come by. Handbags such as the just-in crinkled 2.55 and the reimagined Small Flap Bag designed by Matthieu Blazy are fashion-insider favorites that have people waiting in lines, and everyone is clamoring to get the newly redesigned two-tone heels and flats into their closets.

The Chanel shoes have already reached It-item status for spring 2026 but speak to a larger trend we're predicting will take over this season: two-tone shoes. Other brands have their own takes on the timeless shoes, including Roger Vivier's classic versions, Margaux's flats, Bally's modern twist, and Manolo Blahnik's colorful iterations. Ahead, shop our edit of the two-tone-shoe trend.

Kristen Nichols
Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear where she oversees luxury, runway content, and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, and Tiffany & Co., and her style has been featured in publications including The New York Times, Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.