Square Up! Why Square-Toed Shoes Need to Be in Your Rotation

Anatomically speaking, the average person’s toes aren’t built to fit square edges comfortably. It's for this reason that the silhouette has gained notoriety over the decades, with many raising their eyebrows at its sharp, rigid edges.

However, the style has its origins in practicality rather than aesthetics. Dating back to 300 BC–300 AD Japan, geta and zori were sandals designed to prevent one's feet from sinking into wetlands or rice paddies. They've since been recognized as key components of Japanese fashion and culture, emblematic of ancient traditions that have persisted into modern times.

Sharp corners continued to find their footing in the centuries that followed. They were donned by aristocrats in the 1600s, evolved into a modish motif in the 1960s, and became a key part of high-street styles in the 1990s. The silhouette ebbed and flowed across seasons, with designers interpreting it through different iterations of footwear.

In the latter half of the 2020s, the square-toe emerged as a key trend across various runways. Two-tone pumps and slingbacks with a sculpted toe were prominent at Chanel's SS 2026 show, where they grounded boisterous skirts and structural frocks. Over at Dior's Fall 2026 presentation, vintage-inspired sandals were incorporated into romantic ensembles that merged the house's past, present, and future codes.

Quite evidently, the square toe has made a resounding comeback—one that, by the looks of it, promises to permeate today’s sensibilities.

Ahead, see a selection of square-toed shoes is listed for perusal. With picks from luxury labels and regional brands alike, these are steppers worth considering.

With the woman in motion in mind, Matthieu Blazy reinterpreted Chanel's staple pumps with a distinct square toe. With a dual-hue motif distinguishing the toe box from the rest of the design, these shoes pack as much attitude as they do je ne sais quoi.

For one of his first outings at Dior, Jonathan Anderson turned a pair of shoes into characters of their own, with squared-off edges and a Rococo-inspired gold medallion.

Giving the block heel a (literal) twist, R/Studios introduced soft corners and an extended ankle knot to the girlish staple. The style is available in a variety of colorways and fabrications, making it an ideal addition to any lady's wardrobe.

For the dainty wearers, Jacquemus utilized the square toe for a sharp slip-on design, wrapped together with a bow. A standout piece from its AW 2023 collection, these certainly aren't your everyday pair of ballet flats.

If one fancies a little logomania in life, Gucci enrobed square-toed flats in its double G motif. Punctuating the printed pair are two identifiable markers: a thin leather bow and the gold Horsebit.

Speaking of the hands-free experience of slip-ons, Thai label Brave Shoes offers technicolor mules that conclude in soft edges. The thong sandal strap that protrudes through the top adds a street-ready flair to the pair.

Homegrown brand Palengke is straightforward with its square-toed steppers. The Kwatro Kantos, as the name suggests, features an angular toe shape complemented by a circular heel. Tinted leather straps can also be laced through the shoe for a personalized touch.

A play on shapes and angles, the Pave loafers from Overlay Designs boast a boxy silhouette and slanted, offset soles. Each pair is made to order in the preferred size, making it a true bang for the buck.

H&M Studio reimagined the leather loafer with a crackled patent finish and a razor-sharp square toe. This is the kind of shoe that commands attention the minute it steps into a room.

Alaïa introduced the square toe to the humble ankle boot, turning a femme fatale-worthy style into a blade-like statement of its own.