According to #farshun, sneakers are done for.

Yep, finished. Over. No longer what the cool kids are wearing.

While it's completely irrelevant what really anyone thinks (if you love sneakers, keep wearing sneakers), it's interesting to explore why the style that previously dominated footwear trends is losing traction.

According to The Business of Fashion (BoF), sneakers sales are dramatically slowing down in 2023, and will be replaced with alternative styles like mules and loafers.

And it sorta makes sense.

In 2021, we were all looking for comfort - in our clothes, in our shoes - and sneaker sales increased by 19.5 per cent, while our favourite heels gathered dust.

But heels are back. And so is our desire to get dressed up.

Loafers became popular again this past winter - similar to the chunky boot trend a few years back, chunky loafers were everywhere and still are.

Having just returning from Europe (which is generally ahead of the trends), I can confirm loafers will last another season, and you'll see plenty options in the coming months.

Convinced?

Here are some of my current favourites.

Loafers to shop.

Wittner Cambridge Box Leather Loafers, $200.

Tony Bianco Gloria Leather Chunky Loafers, $167.

Therapy Risky Brown Loafers, $99.95.

Similarly, mules are on the rise too, with those trendy Birkenstock clogs being a prime example.

Mules to shop.

Birkenstock Boston SFB Suede Leather Mules Taupe, $270.

Alias Mae Bree, $200.

Aere Woven Closed Toe Slides, $98.

But if none of these appeal to you and you're a little broken-hearted about the sneaker news, don't stress. Sneakers will hang around, they just won't be as feverishly trendy as they used to be.

According toBoF, the popular Nike Dunk Lows and New Balance 550s will lose their cult status this year, however, the Adidas Sambas will continue to prove popular.

Here are some other styles you'll spot this year.

Dad sneakers.

Yep, dad sneakers aren't going anywhere (Steve Jobs would be proud.)

When it comes to brands, New Balance have really popularised this look and continue to own it, constantly bringing back older styles in revamped colourways