Velvet Sandals Are the Perfect Shoe Trend to Take You From Winter to Spring

In a world where granny sandals top the trend charts, the arrival of velvet sandals makes all the sense in the world.

I stumbled upon the concept by chance while browsing through Zara’s newest products. And there they were: so flat, so comfortable, so elegant, and available in two colors (brown and purple). Will velvet fisherman sandals be the biggest trend of spring 2026? Who’s to say?

What I can tell you is that I think they’re the perfect shoes to kick off the transition to lighter (and less warm) footwear without losing the sight of the fact that it’s still quite cold outside. Velvet sandals have arrived at the perfect time.

There’s a reason fuzzy, comfortable shoes like Ugg boots are so popular in the winter. Not only do they allow us to stay warm and be able to walk comfortably, but they look cute and trendy when styled well too. Velvet sandals work in a similar way and are a fun play on contrasts: They combine the fisherman sandal style—so popular in summer—with a velvety finish typically only seen in winter.

These shoes prove opposites really do attract. The luxurious touch of velvet elevates any look, while the thick straps and flat sole give it a practical element. And here’s a twist: How about wearing them with socks? That’ll keep your feet even warmer on those late winter, early spring days.

Zara’s velvet sandals are available in two classic and easy-to-style colors (brown and purple) and are available in all sizes—for now.

But I found some other velvet fisherman sandal versions for my mood board. Melissa, total experts at the jelly sandal, have a version with a smooth velvety finish that’s elegant and fun in equal parts. Those come in black, blue, and red. There’s also a festive pair from Massimo Dutti that come with kitten heels and ultrathin straps. Perfect party shoes, in my opinion.

And suede fisherman sandals are a good alternative to velvet. Both materials have a more formal finish that elevates any outfit. Camper makes a pair with a block heel that would be easy to walk in and comes in several colors. Madewell’s version has very sophisticated braiding and comes in tan or dark blue.

But if you’re unsure about the fisherman style, how about some velvet sandals that have the same vibe? There are plenty of sandals with a velvet finish that work for the transition from winter to spring, starting with Senso’s slipper-inspired velvet sandals. Birkenstock also makes its Arizona sandals in a soft velvet finish.

A version of this article was previously pubished in Glamour Spain.