French Women Must Be Over Sandals—They’re All Wearing This Closed-Toe Shoe Instead

There’s a time and a place for sandals, and—at least for me—that was anywhere in Europe about two weeks ago. Now? Their moment feels over. The weather is still pleasantly warm, yes, but the forecast keeps teasing rain, and when it’s dry, the pavements are dusty enough to make an open-toe feel less than inviting. Add to that the fact it’s not quite boot season, and you’ve got a tricky in-between moment for footwear.

So where does that leave us? After some very thorough research (read: scrolling Instagram, Pinterest and endless street style shots), I’ve landed on the chic shoe trend that every Parisienne seems to have adopted overnight: black closed-toe mules.

I’m not exaggerating—once you start looking, you realise they are everywhere. I’ve spotted them with jeans, skirts, dresses, trousers and even shorts. The sheer versatility is striking.

It's not hard to see why they've caught on. The simple shoes strike that tricky balance French women have perfected—elegant and poised, but not fussy or overdone. The closed-toe gives them a more polished feel, while the open back keeps them light enough for warm days.

In deep, inky black—as opposed to a bighter shade, or even a light neutral—they go with everything, which might explain why they’ve taken over the streets so completely.

While heeled versions seem to be the favourite among Paris’s fashion set, flat designs are quickly gaining ground—something I’ve noticed both in street style snaps and on the shop floor. This season alone, I’ve spotted them popping up at H&M, Reformation and Manolo Blahnik.

If you're also in the market for a shoe trend to see you through the transitional period—and far beyond—read on to discover my edit of the best black closed-toe mules below.