When you want people asking where your shoes are from but you DON’T WANT to sacrifice any of your toe freedom….you come here! The comfort of wide toe box barefoot shoes is unparalleled, but it doesn’t mean you have to look frumpy.
Here are a few of this season’s hottest shoe styles, made comfier and healthier. It’s your fall & winter fashion 2024 edit for hot people who don’t mess around with foot pain!
See all my Stylish Shoes But Make it Barefoot guides here! Now let’s get to today’s drip.
Cowboy Boots
Western boots are here in a big way. But most of us aren’t wearing them in stirrups, so there is no need for the heel!
Koel Fiona
Leather | Leather lined | Sizes EU 36-43
First up is the two toned Koel Fiona – classic western styling, barefoot comfort. They have a side zip for easy on and off, and a pretty secure fit around the heel so you aren’t sliding out (woot!). Koel quality is great, but hasn’t been easy to get here in the US until now.
They are best suited for medium volume feet, but also work pretty well on my low volume feet (I just need a sock on). So I am really happy about that! They are leather lined and medium width in the toe box – so good for average and wide-ish feet, but not extra wide.
I personally can’t figure out how to style them with jeans, but a flowy dress or mini skirt is an excellent pairing. In the winter I’ll pair them with these fleece tights and toe socks, which is my favorite way to stay warm in dresses all year.
Sizing & Fit:
- True to size
- Medium width – will work for many wide feet, but not extra wide
- Medium volume
Groundies Denver
Suede | Textile lining | Sizes EU 36-43
Another cowboy style boot is the Groundies Denver. These are black suede and have a felt lining for cooler days and side zip. They are a western take on the riding boot, and I love it. The material is really soft and comfortable, and the sole is still grippy and functional.
They also aren’t super gapey and floppy, which sometimes happens with cowboy boots. However, they are not well-suited for extra wide and high volume feet because of the closer fit around the foot and heel.
Sizing & Fit:
- True to size, but I can size up for some extra space and wear thicker socks with them.
- Medium width – the upper does stretch wider, but they are not super wide shoes.
- Medium volume – the volume will also stretch some, but they may be tight on people with high arches.
Retro Sneakers
The low profile retro sneaker is here. When I was in Portugal this summer I saw Adidas Sambas eeeevveeeerywhere. The options here have a similar vibe, but are wider toe box for more comfort.
Koel Ila
Leather | Sizes EU 36-43 (Ila), 40-48 (Ilo)
If you’ve been wanting that Sambas look but without the squished toes, the Koel Ila is the shoe you need. They have a flush fit, a quality leather upper, and are soft and comfortable. In fact, these are one of the best fitting sneakers I’ve tried in a while!
The toe box is wide, but the shoe is still fitted and secure. I swim in a lot of barefoot shoes because I have a low instep, but these are like a glove on my feet.
The men’s size range is called the Ilo. Besides bigger sizes and just a bit more volume, they are identical in shape and style.
Sizing & Fit:
- True to size – I am wearing 37
- Wide fit – will work for some extra wide feet. Comparable to Peerko sneakers.
- Medium volume – removable insole makes for more versatility. Fit my low volume feet perfectly with insole.
Bohempia Felix dark gum
Hemp Canvas | 2 Widths | Sizes EU 36-47
I love that the Bohempia Felix has all the retro vibes, including a thicker gum sole, but still has a flexible minimalist feel (the sole is thinner than it looks). They also come in two widths, for both average and extra wide feet.
They have all the right details to be interesting, but still style as a neutral.
If you’re in the EU, you can shop these directly with Bohempia and use code ANYASREVIEWS to get 10% off!
Sizing & Fit:
- True to size
- Average to extra wide width (two width options)
- Medium to high volume with removable insole. They are a little loose on me even with the insole, but ok if I tighten the laces.
Loafers
I don’t think loafers will ever go out of style, but particularly lately they are very on point. I’ve even been seeing square toed loafers in mainstream fashion. We are ahead of the curve here. Here are a couple great ones for this fall.
Dalia Taupe
Nubuck | Sizes EU 35-45
J’adore taupe. In fact, it’s been on my mind for a while to introduce a taupe colorway of these fan-favorite Dalia loafers that I designed for Anya’s Shop. They are an elevated neutral that works for virtually any cut of pants as well as skirts and dresses. Whenever I can’t figure out what shoes to wear with an outfit, I reach for loafers!
Sizing & Fit:
- True to size
- Medium to wide width
- Medium to high volume
Shapen loafers
Leather | Select models in 2 widths | Sizes EU 35-44
You can use code ANYA5 to get 5% off, but note that they don’t accept returns outside the EU.
Shapen dropped some new loafers and the style is a breath of fresh air. The Versa comes in two widths, like their flats – wide is extra wide friendly and regular is good for average to slightly wide. If you loved the Be Lenka Viva but wanted more room, this is for you!
The Sheen loafer only comes in an extra wide fit, and remind me of Doc Marten loafers! I sized down in both, like I typically do with Shapen flats. They’re a little high volume for me, but overall I like!
Sizing & Fit:
- Runs on the large side – I am wearing a 36.
- Average or extra wide fit (depending on model and width)
- Medium to high volume – I am wearing both with an extra insole, and may add a tongue pad later too.
Leopard Print
Leopard print is making a comeback, and I especially love leopard print shoes – it’s just the right amount of print without being overwhelming. One of my favorite leopard print shoes is the Groundies Sienna
Groundies Sienna
The Sienna is a chelsea with modern vibes and cool details. Not as dressy as some chelsea boots, but they are cool and sophisticated. I like that the leopard print is softened a bit with the black edging. The edging around the toe box also serves to disguise the width.
The downside is that they are only medium width, and won’t stretch a lot if at all in the toe box. So I wouldn’t recommend for extra wide feet.
Sizing & Fit:
- True to size
- Medium width – they are best for average feet.
- Medium volume – may work for some high volume feet. A little loose on my low volume feet, but good with socks on.
30 thoughts on “Fall Fashion Edit – Barefoot Shoes You’ll Get Compliments On”
Hello there! May I ask where you source your jeans and pants from in these photos? Also that green turtle neck sweater. They look great quality. Thank you and happy holidays:)
Hi Taylor! Anya has listed some of her favorite places to shop for clothes here.
Hi Anya,
Big, big thanks for the review on the Koel Ila and Ilo.
I read the reviews in your shop, and ordered directly as you were sold out. The suede Ila is amazing quality: chrome-free leather lining, suede uppers, and flexible rubber sole. The toe box is more for sloped feet, but by sizing up to a 39, as a Anya’s shop reviewer suggested, I was able to fit my high volume Mountain feet that are 23.4 long and 10cm wide. The Keol print-out for the model was very helpful. It is the only model wide enough for me that Koel makes. For the first time in my life I have leather sneakers that are comfortable.