In recent years, Euro fashion weeks have felt as much of a showcase for cool sneakers as for clothing, especially when it comes to menswear. Each designer seems to be in a quest to outdo the other, and the one-upmanship has rendered hits and misses in equal measure. One could argue that it was the Balenciaga Triple S that kick-started this madness, and that was all the way back in 2017. How has the State of Shoes changed since then? Well, if Paris Fashion Week is any indicator, some things have changed, others have stayed the same. And most of it is looking wildly stylish.

One of the most head-turning styles came via designer Jonathan Anderson in the form of a blinged-out black mule. The backless leather loafer features two interlocked gold chains in a size that can only be described as comically large. (Expect to see your favorite Soundcloud rapper in a pair of these ASAP.) And while the main focus at Raf Simons' show may have been the showy and graphic-driven hand muffs, I found my eyes gravitating towards the sleek and vaguely sci-fi boots all the models wore. Absent any laces, the Chelsea-like boots stood tall and stiff, glossy as a freshly waxed floor, with shiny silver zippers at the heel and front. Simons committed to the silhouette as the boots were shown in bright cherry red, pristine white, pale turquoise, and midnight black.

Raf's Chelsea boots on the move. Kristy Sparow

Elsewhere, Rick Owens sent Zoolander-esque boots down his runway, with heels high enough to make a Cuban heel feel tame.