Shoe Trends to Watch and Wear in AW25

Why Chocolate Brown, Suede & Leopard Are the Shoe Trends to Watch in AW25

Fashion is all about mood, and the Autumn/Winter 2025 season is shaping up to be one of warmth, richness, and tactility. The runways and trend reports are brimming with fabrics you want to reach out and touch: suede, velvet, shearling, and of course, luxurious leathers.

Colour palettes have shifted from stark blacks to indulgent browns — think mocha, cocoa, and rich espresso. And for those who love a statement, animal prints — particularly leopard print — are firmly holding their place as a style staple.

But how do these high-fashion trends translate into the everyday wardrobe of women who want shoes that are not just on-trend, but also wearable, practical, and comfortable? That’s where Cocorose London comes in — interpreting the runway in ways that fit seamlessly into your life.

Suede’s Big Moment — and Cocorose’s Subtle Nod

If you’ve been scanning fashion magazines or online edits for AW25, one material keeps cropping up: suede. Designers are showcasing suede loafers, knee-high boots, and statement bags in every shade of brown imaginable. Suede’s appeal lies in its soft, tactile finish, which adds depth and dimension to otherwise simple looks.

Now, Cocorose has never been about following trends blindly. Instead, we adapt them thoughtfully. While we don’t offer full suede loafers, our soon-to-launch Moorgate leopard print trainers feature a beige suede trim, giving a subtle nod to the suede trend while ensuring durability and easy wear. It’s a quiet but stylish way to bring the runway into your everyday look.

By keeping suede as a detail rather than the star, Cocorose offers customers a trend-led option that doesn’t compromise on practicality — because we know suede can be delicate. A suede trim, placed thoughtfully, means you get the texture and fashion-forward feel without the worry.

The Rise of Chocolate Browns

Move over, black. Brown is the new neutral for Autumn/Winter 2025. Designers from Milan to New York are championing chocolate, mocha, and caramel tones as the chicest alternative to the default black shoe or handbag.

Why the change? Brown offers warmth, depth, and versatility. It pairs beautifully with denim, camel, olive, burgundy, and even navy — making it an easy swap-in for black when you want your outfit to feel softer and a little bit different. Unlike black, which can sometimes appear stark, chocolate tones exude richness and an understated luxury.

At Cocorose, we see this as an exciting opportunity. Brown doesn’t have to mean boring. Imagine chocolate tones paired with animal print accents — a pairing that feels bold yet wearable. Which brings us to leopard…

Leopard Print: Still the Star

Season after season, leopard print refuses to fade away. And for good reason: it’s playful, powerful, and surprisingly versatile. From coats to scarves to statement footwear, leopard is the print that can elevate even the simplest outfit.

For AW25, leopard remains firmly in the spotlight. But this isn’t just about bold, all-over prints. The trend is leaning towards luxurious interpretations of leopard, with richer textures, subtler palettes, and combinations with warm browns.

At Cocorose, we’re proud to offer standout leopard print styles:
•    Harrow Leopard Print Ballet Flats — a timeless ballet flat crafted with hair-on leather. This material gives the shoe a natural, tactile softness while allowing the leopard spots to really pop. The result is a flat that feels as luxurious as it looks.
•    Moorgate Leopard Print Trainers (coming soon) — designed with a beautiful hair-on leopard print leather for that textured effect, finished with a beige suede trim for added dimension. These trainers are proof that fashion-led details and everyday comfort can coexist beautifully.

Hair-on leather is one of those materials that does double duty: it delivers the fashion impact of texture and is wonderfully soft. It’s the kind of shoe that people notice, not just for the print, but for the quality and finish.

Texture, Comfort, and Everyday Luxury

What unites these AW25 trends is texture. Suede, hair-on leather, shearling — they all invite touch, and they all signal a new era of quiet luxury. But while the runways may showcase them in exaggerated, avant-garde styles, Cocorose translates them into shoes designed to be lived in.

Every pair of Cocorose shoes is built with comfort at its core:
•    Buttery-soft leathers that mould to your feet
•    Dual-cushioned insoles for lasting comfort
•    Gentle elastic that hugs without digging
•    Pillowed Achilles heels that prevent rubbing
•    Flexible soles that move naturally with you

This means you can enjoy the season’s biggest trends — chocolate tones, suede trims, leopard textures — in shoes that support you, rather than punish you.

How to Style Chocolate Brown & Leopard This Season

Worried about how to wear these bold trends without feeling overdone? Here are some styling ideas straight from the AW25 playbook:
•    Everyday Chic: Pair leopard flats with dark denim, a camel coat, and a chocolate leather crossbody. The leopard adds energy, while the brown tones keep the look grounded.
•    Workwear Update: Swap your black flats for leopard print trainers. Worn with wide-leg trousers and a crisp white shirt, they strike the perfect balance of polish and play.
•    Weekend Ease: Style leopard trainers with an oversized knit in mushroom grey and tailored joggers. Add gold jewellery for a touch of warmth.
•    Evening Glam: Leopard flats with a burgundy wrap dress — proof that flats can be just as statement-making as heels.

The beauty of both chocolate brown and leopard is their versatility. They can be neutral or statement depending on how you style them.

Why These Trends Matter

Fashion trends can sometimes feel fleeting or superficial. But the beauty of AW25’s suede, chocolate, and leopard moment is that it taps into something deeper: a craving for warmth, tactility, and joy in everyday dressing.

Cocorose interprets these trends not as fads, but as ways to enrich your wardrobe with pieces you’ll actually wear. The Harrow and Moorgate leopard styles aren’t one-season wonders; they’re shoes that feel current now and timeless next year.

Because ultimately, what good is a trend if it doesn’t fit into your real life?

A Round Up of Thoughts

This season, let texture lead the way. Suede trims, hair-on leopard prints, and rich chocolate browns are the details that will elevate your wardrobe while keeping it wearable. Cocorose’s Harrow flats and Moorgate trainers embody this sweet spot — where fashion meets function, and comfort meets style.

So while suede loafers may dominate the magazines, remember: you don’t need to follow every trend literally. Sometimes, the most powerful style move is to choose pieces that nod to fashion’s direction while staying true to your lifestyle.

With Cocorose, that means one thing: shoes you’ll reach for every day, because they look as good as they feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are brown shoes in fashion for Autumn/Winter 2025?
A: Yes. Chocolate brown, mocha, and cocoa shades are some of the biggest colour trends this season. They offer warmth and versatility, pairing effortlessly with neutrals, denim, camel, olive, and burgundy tones. Click here to read more on our blog post, Are Brown Shoes in Fashion?

Q: Can I wear brown shoes instead of black?
A: Absolutely. Black will always be timeless, but brown shoes feel softer and more modern for AW25. They can add richness to your outfit and are easier to pair with autumn colours.

Q: Is leopard print still in style in 2025?
A: Leopard print is no longer a fad — it’s a fashion classic. This season, it’s being embraced in chic, versatile ways, especially on shoes like ballet flats and trainers. Think of leopard as a neutral you can wear with almost anything.

Q: How do I style brown shoes with leopard print?
A: Try mixing brown tones with leopard accents for a coordinated look. Pair chocolate brown trousers or denim with Cocorose’s Harrow Leopard Flats, or add a pop of print with the upcoming Moorgate Leopard Print Trainers.

Q: What textures are trending this season?
A: Texture is a key AW25 trend. Suede trims and hair-on leathers (like Cocorose’s leopard print styles) are adding depth, softness, and interest to shoes — elevating even casual outfits.

Q: Are leopard print flats versatile for everyday wear?
A: Yes! Leopard print flats are perfect for work, weekends, and evenings out. Their neutral colour palette makes them surprisingly easy to style with jeans, skirts, dresses, and tailored looks.

Q: Where can I buy stylish brown or leopard print shoes?
A: Cocorose London’s Harrow Leopard Flats are currently sold out but will be coming back into stock soon so it's worth signing up to the Back In Stock notification for your size. The Moorgate Leopard Print Trainers are launching soon. Sign up online to be the first to know when they arrive.