Right on time for Paris Fashion Week, a new study reveals what the fashion crowd already knew: 2025 is the year of standout designer footwear.
According to research compiled by Slingo, Balenciaga’s divisive-yet-undeniably-buzzy 3XL trainers reign supreme. The exaggerated, ultra-wide silhouette has racked up nearly 900,500 annual global Google searches, with a 22% jump in interest over the past three months. Add in over 5,000 social media hashtags and a recent cameo on Kim Kardashian, and it’s no surprise this sneaker is the breakout star of 2025.
Close behind is The Row’s Fisherman Sandal — a quiet-luxury favourite defined by its clean lines and secure ankle strap. Searches for the style have surged 120% in just three months, with nearly 20,000 annual searches globally. It’s further proof that fashion’s obsession with minimalist elegance is still going strong.
Third on the list is the highly sought-after Wales Bonner x Adidas Samba, a collaboration that continues to make waves thanks to its nostalgic ‘70s-meets-Caribbean styling and luxe leather finishes. The Studded Pack edition, in particular, has become a collector’s grail.
From retro revivals to minimalist staples, these are the most popular designer shoes everyone is Googling, styling, and obsessing over in 2025.
Top 10 Must-Have Designer Shoes of 2025:
1. Balenciaga 3XL Trainers
900,500 annual searches | +22% in 3 months
2. The Row Fisherman Sandals
+120% search growth
3. Wales Bonner x Adidas Sambas
21,000 searches | cult collab
4. Gucci Horsebit Platform Loafers
timeless with a twist
5. Saint Laurent Cassandra Sandals
refined and versatile
6. Prada Satin Slingbacks
sleek and sensual
7. Aeyde Paige Sandals
quiet-luxury staple
8. MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon Mules
fashion meets function
9. Bottega Veneta Blink Mule
sculptural cool
10. Loewe Petal Sandal & Burberry Clogs
rising stars for the season
The study also revealed that Chanel Slingbacks continue to be one of the most iconic luxury shoes ever, earning a near-perfect score of 8.46/10 in long-term desirability.
And in case you’re wondering, Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton remain the most searched luxury brands overall, with over 12.3 million global searches last year — proving that even in a year of niche drops and quiet luxury, the big names still dominate.
With Paris Fashion Week in full force, don’t be surprised if several of these styles — dubbed the “most popular designer shoes 2025” — show up on the cobblestoned streets outside the shows, and soon after, in your Instagram feed.
This story first appeared on GRAZIA USA.
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