The Best Back-To-School Shoe Sales to Shop Right Now
The Fall Shoes Worth Adding to Your Cart Before the Good Sizes Disappear
You know what gets me every August?
I tell myself I'm just looking at fall shoes.
Then suddenly there are loafers, Mary Janes, clogs and a completely unnecessary—but extremely cute—pair of flats sitting in my cart.
But this is actually one of the better times to shop for shoes because retailers are clearing out summer inventory while fall styles are beginning to arrive.
And since we're not buying shoes simply because somebody put a SALE sticker on them, I'm focusing on pairs that can make the transition with us: loafers, ballet flats, Mary Janes, clogs, sneakers and comfortable shoes that work now and straight into fall.
Even better? This edit was built with LTK shopping in mind.
Sale prices and promotions checked August 17, 2026. Prices, exclusions and inventory can change quickly.
BIRKENSTOCK: Pepper Might Be the Fall Color of the Season
Let's start with the shoes currently taking up entirely too much space in my brain.
BIRKENSTOCK Pepper.
It's somewhere between dusty rose, muted mauve and warm brown—and it looks ridiculously good with chocolate brown, cream, camel, denim, burgundy and olive.
Basically?
It's a neutral without being another beige shoe.
Rather than waiting for one big BIRKENSTOCK sitewide event, I would comparison-shop styles through retailers such as Nordstrom, Zappos and DSW, where BIRKENSTOCK styles regularly appear alongside sale and clearance merchandise. Current DSW clearance, for example, includes select BIRKENSTOCK styles, while Nordstrom maintains BIRKENSTOCK options within its broader shoe assortment.
What I'm Shopping in Between Seasons
Read the edit on here and pair with this season best footwear ↓
Mary Janes — for dresses, trousers and denim.
Boston-style clogs — because fall practically requires them.
Arizona sandals — wear them through the last warm weeks, then bring them back next spring.
Loafers and closed-toe styles — the easiest way to make an August outfit suddenly feel like September.
And yes, the new Pepper shade deserves its own moment.
PEPPER for FALL 🍁
Soft Sued, Rich Neutrals, Effortless Style - BIRKENSTOCK
Madewell: RUN—There's an LTK Sale Happening
This one deserves priority because it's actually tied directly to LTK.
Madewell is currently offering 20% off eligible online purchases with code LTK20 through August 18 at 2:59 a.m. ET. Certain exclusions apply, including some third-party merchandise and collaborations.
So yes—
This is the one I'd shop first.
Madewell's sale section already includes marked-down footwear, so depending on the style and eligibility, there are some very interesting opportunities here. The Remy Mary Jane Flat, for example, is currently listed in one color at $69.99, down from $148, a 53% markdown before considering whether any additional offer applies.
Put These on Your Fall Radar
Mary Janes
Ballet flats
Loafers
Suede shoes
Mules
Minimal sneakers
This is where I'd shop for the shoe that makes jeans and a sweater look intentionally styled instead of I got dressed in seven minutes.
SHOP THE MADEWELL SHOE SALE →
*sale is over! But other discounts are avail on the website!
DSW: The Clearance Section Is Doing the Most
DSW may be the place to do the most damage for the least money right now.
The retailer is currently advertising BOGO 50% off eligible clearance shoes, while select Nike styles are being promoted at savings of up to 40%.
And the clearance section isn't just leftover beach sandals.
I'm seeing the categories we actually want heading into fall: flats, loafers, sneakers, pumps, mules and transitional shoes. Current women's flat listings include brands such as Vince Camuto, TOMS, Anne Klein and Kelly & Katie, with a number of styles participating in the BOGO offer.
My DSW Strategy
Don't buy two random pairs just because they're BOGO.
Build yourself a little fall shoe duo.
Pair #1: Loafer or ballet flat
Pair #2: Sneaker or early fall boot
Now you're covering work, weekends and basically every outfit involving denim.
Nordstrom: Anniversary Sale Is Over—But the Shoe Sale Isn't
Important distinction:
The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is over.
But Nordstrom's regular shoe sale section is very much alive.
Current women's markdowns include sneakers, sandals, comfort shoes, flats and designer footwear, with examples such as On, New Balance, Vionic and other brands appearing at reduced prices.
Honestly, this is how I'd shop Nordstrom now anyway.
Forget chasing an expired event sale and search specifically for the shoes your fall closet is missing.
Search These First
Loafers: Chocolate, burgundy or black.
Ballet flats: Especially Mary Jane and pointed-toe versions.
Sneakers: Neutral suede, retro silhouettes and comfortable everyday pairs.
Mules + clogs: Because we're apparently collectively refusing to give them up.
Boots: Buy them before October when suddenly everyone wants the exact same pair.
Nordstrom also continues to be one of the most established retailers represented within LTK shopping content.
What I'm Shopping First
If I were building my cart today?
Madewell first because the LTK20 promotion ends quickly.
Then DSW clearance for the BOGO opportunity.
Then I'm checking Nordstrom for higher-end brands that have quietly been marked down.
And finally?
I'm going back to stare at those BIRKENSTOCKs in Pepper again.
Because apparently I've already mentally styled them with half my fall closet.
SHOP THE COMPLETE STILETTOS & MASCARA FALL SHOE EDIT ON LTK →
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, The Hollow Quill may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Prices and promotions are subject to change.
Hi, I'm E. Lynn Jimenez, founder of The Hollow Quill and the voice behind Stilettos & Mascara. I believe great style should be effortless, comfortable, and confidence-boosting—especially for women over 40.
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| S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width, in | 18.50 | 20.25 | 22.00 | 24.00 | 26.00 | 27.75 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Length, in | 26.62 | 28.00 | 29.37 | 30.75 | 31.62 | 32.50 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sleeve length from center back, in | 31.87 | 33.75 | 35.62 | 37.25 | 38.75 | 39.75 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Size tolerance, in | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
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.: 100% ring-spun cotton
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