Whether called fuzzy, fluffy, hairy or furry, fur-trimmed shoes are emerging this season as one of fashion’s most talked-about trends. From the boudoir to the runway, they span a century of style history while giving winter silhouettes a sharp, fashion-forward twist. Balancing comfort and extravagance, hairy shoes leave no one indifferent.
Hairy shoes: a winter must-have
Long associated with the intimacy of the home or with winter sports, fuzzy shoes have broken free and now claim their place in the everyday wardrobe. Ultra-versatile, they come in multiple iterations: boots, heels, ballet flats or mules and appear in everything from understated neutrals to audacious or saturated hues, with fur finishes ranging from sleek and smooth to curly, including shearling effects.
Voluminous and cocooning, Yeti boots are best styled with a skirt or a dress to create contrast while embracing a Y2K aesthetic. Fur-trimmed pumps, more elegant and structured, deliver an unexpected twist: worn with tailored trousers or slim-fit jeans, they turn a classic outfit into a deliberately offbeat silhouette. Even ballet flats, long synonymous with restraint are being reinvented in fuzzy versions, becoming winter statement pieces to wear with opaque tights or patterned socks, playing with layering and texture.
From the boudoir to fashion runways
While they may appear ultra-contemporary, fur-trimmed shoes highlight a surprisingly rich history. In the early 20th century, they first appeared in the boudoirs of wealthy women, where they were intimate accessories reserved for the private sphere, symbolizing a discreet form of elegance and personal refinement. From the 1940s onwards, pin-ups embraced them and turned them into true glamour pieces, posing in carefully staged scenes that blended seduction with sophistication.
In the 1980s, fur made its way onto footwear in the world of striptease, cabaret and nightlife, where it took on a distinctly sensual dimension. Then, in the 2000s, the trend became more mainstream: peach-skin tracksuits, pastel shades, candy pink hues and a Y2K spirit infused fuzzy shoes with glamorous, flashy appeal.
The early 2010s marked a turning point for these shoes. Céline’s Spring 2013 collection introduced plush, fluffy mules inspired by Minnie Mouse footwear. A few seasons later, Jonathan Anderson at Loewe revived the concept, exploring exaggerated volumes and playful textures, giving fuzzy shoes an almost hyper-trendy edge. Since then, they have appeared regularly on the runways of Burberry, Christopher Esber, Gucci, Ferragamo and Maison Margiela.
A trend that goes beyond shoes
The furry aesthetic is no longer confined to our feet: it has now spread to bags, clutches and minaudières, which are also embracing plush, fluffy textures. This shift is part of a broader movement — the end of the mini-bag era and of understated restraint. Once symbols of minimalism pushed almost to the point of absurdity, tiny bags are giving way to a new generation of XXL accessories, designed to suit a daily life in which we now carry far more than the bare essentials. The handbag once again becomes a functional space: a place for laptops, beauty pouches, water bottles, chargers, books and all the objects accumulated throughout the day. Far from being a gimmick, the furry bag emerges as a signature piece, capable of balancing a monochrome silhouette or injecting energy into an otherwise restrained coat.
Today, fuzzyshoes are no longer just about keeping us warm. They embody a true fashion statement. Worn indoors, in the city and even on the runways of prestigious fashion houses, they reflect an ultra-confident, creative approach to style. More than a trend, hairy shoes express a desire for formal freedom. In short, they represent a new silhouette, whose contours we are only just beginning to discover.
