There’s a particular image that’s been peppering my moodboard of late: a pair of Chanel logo Cambon ballet flats – one white, one pink – set against a leopard-print backdrop. Had the wearer bought two pairs? Were they caught mid-decision between colours? Whatever the story, it was the mismatch that stopped me in my tracks.
While some might fear the illusion of having two left feet, mismatched shoes have long been a quiet style hack, tucked deep within the fashion archives. That was, until Simon Porte Jacquemus reshashed them.
During Jacquemus' autumn/winter 2026 ready-to-wear show, models glided through the Musée Picasso in mismatched pumps - one black, one white - anchored by a delicate ankle strap that traced the line of the foot. Elsewhere, an all-red wool coat, complete with a subtle mini train and an exaggerated, voluminous silhouette, was styled with open-toe heels – one black, one red. The effect felt unapologetically retro, with a distinctly 80s touch.
© @frankiebstarkAnd no, this isn't a case of getting dressed in the dark. Odd shoes on the runway are hardly a novel concept. Chitose Abe styled mismatched zebra and leopard footwear at Sacai's autumn/winer 2018 show, while a year earlier, Phoebe Philo sent a rose-hued dress down the Celine spring/summer 2017 runway paired with one white boot and one red. The colour clashes were scattered throughout the show – black and white, red and white, black and brown – each pairing deliberately mismatched.
© WWD via Getty Images
© Getty ImagesDuring Gucci’s Resort 2023 collection, Alessandro Michele pushed the style further, pairing mismatched shoes with a two-tone black-and-white blouse-and-trouser ensemble. However, as with many great trends, the odd shoe can be traced back to Tom Ford at Gucci, who delivered one of the earliest iterations of the look.
Celebrities and popular culture caught on too. In 2011, Helena Bonham-Carter graced the Golden Globes in one green and one pink shoe. At the time, the actress told the media: "Why not wear mismatching shoes? Who says we can’t? I was just having fun. For me, fashion is all about fantasy and putting unlikely things together. That’s what I love. I genuinely love dressing up."
And does a trend even earn its rite of passage if Carrie Bradshaw hasn't blessed its inception? In Sex and the City's third season, Carrie wore mismatched metallic shoes when she flew to Los Angeles. Even Blair Waldorf, in Gossip Girl's fourth season, arrived at a birthday party wearing an odd pair of Roger Vivier pumps.
There are ways to ease yourself into the trend if you don't want to go full throttle with two completely different shoes. Try switching up the lace colours on a pair of trainers, or opt for a classic black-and-white mismatch for a combination that feels more classic and less daring.
How to style
© Getty ImagesFloral appliqués
Heels adorned with floral appliqués are a stylish way to step into the trend, as they often feature two different toned accents.
© Getty ImagesLoafers
An easy way to spice up a preppy shoe is to choose a loafer accented with contrasting colour tones against classic black leather.
© Getty ImagesLaces
Switch up your laces to add a pop of colour to your trainers – a subtle way to embrace the mismatch trend.
© Getty ImagesGo bold
Keep the base of the shoe the same in style and silhouette, but opt for pairs with two different colour combos. This way, the shoes still feel cohesive, and the mismatch doesn't look out of place.
© Getty ImagesBallet flats
A pair of Tabi ballet flats in two different shades is an effortless way to embrace the trend – the soft silhouette keeps the look subtle, so it never feels overwhelming.
© Getty ImagesColour clash
Pair a striking colour, like red, with a softer shade, such as black or white, for a distinct mismatch that still feels balanced.
