With a soft, slightly gathered top, a mock negligence and a relaxed silhouette, these ankle boots embody a very specific idea of the aesthetic of affordable chic. Or, to put it simply, the art of creating the impression that you don’t care what you’re wearing. They have become a kind of answer to the excessive construction that dominated in previous years. In contrast to architectural heels, rigidly structured boots or even the cult of sneakers, slouchy ankle boots offer a more organic, natural elegance. So don’t be surprised if you fall in love with them this spring.
Photo: Maxine Stiller
Slouchy ankle boots first made a splash back in 2016. Back then, they were inextricably linked to the rhythm of it-girl life: models, bloggers and actresses who were constantly on the move between airports, coffee shops and events in looks designed to give the impression of both spontaneous and impeccable style. These ankle boots were worn with skinny jeans, miniskirts, oversized coats and white T-shirts – forming a kind of uniform that we now instantly recognize as part of the DNA of that nostalgic decade. In 2026, they become even more relaxed: they are combined with wide trousers, baggy jeans and Bermuda shorts. The innate softness of these shoes is only enhanced by the general movement towards comfort and functionality.
Photo: Maxine Stiller
From a sociological perspective, the return of the slouchy ankle boot reflects a key transformation in contemporary fashion: the shift from demonstrative, aspirational luxury to lived, personal luxury. It is also a gesture of nostalgia for “better times” – or those that were later romanticized. Their return is not accidental. At a time when fashion is constantly revisiting the codes of the past, these ankle boots are returning, filled with new meanings. They are no longer just about a trend, but also about a way of thinking. They offer an alternative to the sterility and fatigue of so-called quiet luxury, adding character and emotion to the images.
Slouchy ankle boots also resonate perfectly with modern minimalism: simple lines, an emphasis on texture, and no unnecessary embellishments. These are shoes that can build an image on their own. In this sense, they work as a kind of time capsule: they take us back to a time when fashion was formed intuitively — through repetition and collective desire — and at the same time adapt to the present, where aesthetic integrity and practicality are valued. After all, fashion doesn't just come back — it remembers.
Comme des Garçons spring-summer 2026
Isabel Marant spring-summer 2026
Balmain spring-summer 2026
The catwalks also actively support this narrative. Comme des Garçons, in addition to cowboy variations, experiment with the slouchy silhouette in unexpected materials such as burlap, combining them with white socks and architectural pieces that emphasize the play of volumes and folds. Isabel Marant interprets the slouchy silhouette in their own way, introducing a medium bootie into their hybrid pairs of ballet flats. Balmain, in turn, bets on the classic version of the slouchy boot and combines them with safari-style looks, proving that this shape remains universal and timeless.
Amina Muaddi 
Zara 
Bershka 
Michael Kors 
Ba&sh 
H&M
Based on materials from vogue.es