As show season winds down, MGNET has just wrapped its trio of Vegas shows — MAGIC, PROJECT, and SOURCING at MAGIC. Attendees scoped out the FW25 collections of footwear brands from more than 50 different countries. The shows aim to strike a balance between sport, streetwear, and fashion, focusing on rising categories like golf as well as contemporary offerings. The show floor was also packed with trends seen in the company’s Fall Winter 25/26 Buyer’s Guide from brands like All Black, Bos & Co., Chinese Laundry, Jefrey Campbell, and Flower Mountain. Below, we’ve culled together the overarching themes and specific trends to know this season, according to the report.
MGNET Footwear Buyer’s Guide: Campus Cool
Remember when Millennials wore office-wear to the clubs? Now, Gen Z is putting a spin on this casual corporate aesthetic with a classic prep flavor. Think Ivy League inspired Mary Janes, leather loafers, and monk straps. Legwear is also having a moment, so styling with colorful tights and schoolgirl knee socks is a must.
Campus Cool Key Styles:
- Double monk strap
- Leather Mary Jane
- Mid calf boot
- Desert boot
- Tonal loafer
- Varsity trainer
Future Utility
Adventure meets athleisure in this fashionable yet comfort-driven category. The product mix hones in on hybrid silhouettes like Mary Jane hikers, pull-on boots, and ruched flats. Whereas Campus Cool zeroed in on textural leather and suede, this trend prefers materials like nylon, stretchy knits, EVA, rubber, and smooth leather. For holiday deliveries, update with patent leather and shimmery tech knits. The color palette is largely neutral with black, white, and tonal grays.
Future Utility Key Styles:
- Ruched ballet flat
- Chrome sneaker
- Stretch ankle boot
- Streamlined laofer
- Pull-on boot
- Hybrid trainer
Kitsch Craft
We’ve been tracking the arts and crafts trend for some time, and this version “injects humor into heritage.” A mix of colors come to life with techniques like embroidery, beading, and weaving. The category encompasses a wide range of silhouettes from clogs to embellished sneakers, duck boots, and Western boots. Textures also run the gamut from brushed suede to plush corduroy. Pops of color add unexpected whimsy to autumnal shades.
Kitsch Craft Key Styles:
- Tactile clog
- Fringe heel
- Western boot
- Corduroy slipper
- Artisan sneaker
- Stitched hiker
