This Versatile Shoe Style Will Be Everywhere For Fall 2026

If you're not quite ready to give up your summer sandals but aren't ready to commit to boots either, there's one shoe that could make getting dressed for fall 2026 considerably easier: the mule. The backless style is appearing among the key footwear trends for fall 2026. And while the mule may have cycled in and out of the trend conversation over the years, its versatility with so many different outfits makes it a must for your fall wardrobe.

Whether you prefer a flat, heeled, suede, leather, or statement-making version, the shoe can add polish without making an outfit feel overly dressed. In fact, avid fashion lovers will know that slip-on loafers, which were a part of the spring and summer 2026 shoe trends you likely saw everywhere, were a prelude to this shoe trend, making the mule one trend worth knowing before the season really gets underway. 

Wardrobe stylist and STYLEDbyCohen founder Alex Cohen, who spoke to Women exclusively about the trend, believes the mule deserves another chance in the spotlight. "One could say that mules are having a moment again, but I'd argue they never really left — they just needed a bit of a rebrand. They're the perfect fall shoe because they give you the polish of a loafer without fully committing to closed-toe season," she shared. And if you're wondering how to wear the style without making your outfit feel dated, Cohen has a few ideas.

Alex Cohen believes the mule can spice up even a basic outfit. "They also have that magic ability to make even the simplest outfit look intentional," the stylist told Women exclusively. "Jeans and a tee? Add a mule. Trousers and a button-down? Mule. Suddenly you look like you had a plan all along." For fall 2026, Cohen recommends making the shoe itself the statement instead of wearing a bold outfit that minimizes them. "For 2026, think of the mule with an unexpected texture or print-suede, croc, animal print," she shared.

More styling advice from Cohen: reach for relaxed denim rather than anything overly skinny or cropped, then add a belt and oversized button-down. And, above all, don't overcomplicate it. "The entire appeal of the mule is its ease," the stylist said. "If you're spending more than 20 minutes trying to figure out how to style them, we've lost the plot. Mules should be the shoe you slide on, walk out the door in, and somehow look like you have your life together."