A Halloween costume can magically come together all at once with a spark of inspiration and some serendipitous fashion finds, while others require meticulous planning and scouring. As the look comes together, it’s important not to overlook footwear, which can play a key role just as it does with any outfit. Find shoe inspiration for spooky season below, ranging from the Paris runway to celebrity style.
Zendaya went all in on method dressing at the “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” Los Angeles premiere in July with a pair of spider-adorned custom Miss Z pumps from her go-to brand Christian Louboutin. The shoes feature a mesh spiderweb like design in addition to the 3D arachnid adornments. While these were bespoke for Zendaya, who’s to say you can’t add a fake spider to your own black pumps?
Saint Laurent grabbed attention during Paris Fashion Week with runway shoes featuring gold sculptural snake heels. The brand’s freelance design director of men’s and women’s shoes Corrado De Biase explained to FN that the design was inspired by snake sculptures belonging to Yves Saint Laurent as well as the story of Eve in the Bible, with the design reframing the connotation of the snake.
While these snake heels only just hit the runway for spring 2027, Steve Madden offers its Python Black sandal style featuring a curvaceous rhinestone-embellished snake detail.
Jenna Ortega channelled the spooky energy of “Wednesday” at a fan event in Sydney last year with an edgy Christian Louboutin shoe style. She wore the luxury brand’s Kate Max Booty Spikes Claw ankle boot featuring claw-shaped spikes along the back, a curved metallic heel and pointed toe. The multicolored calf hair colorway matched Ortega’s striped orange and black dress.
Azzy Milan offered Halloween inspiration in Steve Madden’s recent “Alter Egos” campaign, featuring styles ranging from the Gothic romance of the Maxine black lace boot seen above to animal print silhouettes. Alongside the Maxeine, the campaign also features the Nitro red croc knee-high, Jezzica zebra platform, Hexx spotted leopard pump and Icon faux-fur boot.
Victoria Justice dressed up for her Halloween party in a distressed zombie look featuring a tattered black minidress and edgy boots. She wore a platform knee-high pair adorned with chains; the hardware added a punk layer to the set and a sense of movement as well.
Balenciaga recently teamed up with French shoemaker J.M. Weston on a capsule including a wingtip brogue with worn edges, visible threads and metal Balenciaga Le City studs scattered across it. The embellishment reinvents a classic dress shoe style with Balenciaga’s edgy flair.