The Humble Pump Is Back

The Citizen

3 years ago

Shop Fall 2023’s biggest footwear trend now.

An overarching theme of this recent fashion month was an emphasis on excellent wardrobe staples — and that didn’t just mean apparel. For Fall 2023, many designers honed in on a classic footwear silhouette, one that has endured for literal centuries: the humble pump.

Typified by a pointy toe and stiletto heel at least a couple of inches tall, pumps haven’t exactly ever disappeared. They’ve remained a perennial workwear mainstay (for those back in the office at least), but it’s been a minute since they’ve appeared so prominently on runways. The writing for their resurgence was on the wall back in September, when they were a focal point of the Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Prada and Loewe Spring 2023 collections. (The latter presented exaggerated, surrealist versions, which were among the season’s buzziest.)

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So, it’s no surprise that for fall, all manner of pumps could be found across New York, London, Milan and Paris. There are the simple, purist versions as seen at Carolina Herrera, Prada and Christopher Kane, as well as a number of variations: slingbacks at Saint Laurent, Gucci and Miu Miu; Mary Janes at Dior and Rodarte; and even furry iterations at Givenchy and Stella McCartney.

Pumps also emerged as a popular choice among the street style crowd, especially on the day of Prada’s show in Milan. Perhaps the best thing about this trend is that it isn’t actually all that trendy: There are plenty of great pairs on the market already, so you can get a head start right now.

Given the pump’s enduring appeal, a good pair can practically live in your closet forever. You can even go the pre-worn or vintage route — I just scooped up a fun pair of YSLs on The RealReal — or shop new. Find 22 of our favorites on the market right now, below.