“Marie Antoinette” and “Bridgerton“-inspired shoes are inspiring the latest footwear that New York City fashionistas are strutting down the Big Apple sidewalks in, treating them like the queen’s ballroom.
With the popular period drama‘s Season 4 Part 2 landing on Netflix Thursday, Feb. 26, fans are stepping into off-screen fantasies by wearing dainty, “coquette” Regency-era (1811–1820) shoes that mix romance, drama, and a touch of sass from stores like Upper West Side’s Sole, West Village’s Screaming Mimi’s and John Fluevog Shoes in Soho and Dumbo.
Think satin bows, pastel silks and Versailles-worthy embellishments paired with Regencycore heels — proof that in NYC, Marie Antoinette’s closet is alive and well.
With two NYC stores in Soho and Brooklyn, shoe designer Fluevog has emerged as the crown jewel for Regency-loving fashionistas, with fans buzzing over pairs like the Bishop Buckled Loafer Heels ($449), Sabrina Lace-ups ($349) and Zoe Lace-up Heels with Embroidery ($399).
Arabella Barros, creative director for John Fluevog Shoes, says the recent obsession with Regency-era shoes is more than just about wearing pretty footwear.
“People are craving romance again, not just visually, but emotionally,” she told The Post, adding that a “Regency-inspired” shoe lets someone “walk through modern life while carrying a bit of daydream.”
“It’s not about escaping reality; it’s about adding softness, personality, and whimsy back into everyday dressing.”
Barros notes that 2026 shoppers are gravitating toward “round toes and more feminine silhouettes, ornate buckles and textiles.”
Other elements like “a delicate ribbon paired with a bold sole, or embroidery mixed with unexpected color” are also en vogue. “It’s that tension between softness and strength that feels very now,” she stressed to The Post.
Barros adds that Fluevog’s historical inspiration is always filtered through “a modern, slightly rebellious lens,” imagining “what a character from another century would wear if they stepped into today’s city.”
Founded in Vancouver in 1970, the brand became an ’80s/’90s cult favorite in the Big Apple for its quirky, Art Deco-leaning styles and cheeky sole messages.
While the brand has been around for years, shows like “Bridgerton” help introduce Fluevog to younger generations.
And having a celebrity fanbase doesn’t hurt, either.
Broadway darling Gracie Lawrence slipped into Fluevog’s retro Sorsha pumps at the Grammys this month, while Lady Gaga stomped around her “Mayhem Ball” stage in the brand’s vintage-leaning Chaminade boots, complete with their signature Swordfish toe.
Sartorial influencer and Regencycore kick fan Cachita Maki says that there’s a broader shift back toward “romance, craftsmanship and femininity” after “years of athleisure.”
“Shows like Bridgerton have reintroduced audiences to the beauty of historical dress. There is beauty beyond [2020s post-COVID] athleisure,” she told The Post.
As a fan, she adds that she sees ribbon laces, bows, and soft square or almond toes flying off store shelves in NYC and LA, and that “modern lace-up ballet flats, ribbon-tied heels, and embellished Mary Janes best capture the Regencycore aesthetic today.”
“These are shoes that feel timeless and transportive, yet completely wearable on the streets of New York or Los Angeles,” she said.
Fashion historian Jessie Frances agrees that in today’s world, something like whimsical shoes can serve as an escape from reality.
“We all need an escape. ‘Bridgerton’ has done just that, provided a bridge for all who are willing to tastefully, if only for a moment, exit our reality,” she told The Post.
She points to kitten heels, lace-ups, and square toes as the ultimate Regencycore staples: “All of these elements feel safe and soft. Lace is intimately associated with wealth, status, and sensuality.”
And when it comes to today’s best captures of the Regencycore aesthetic, she doesn’t hesitate: “John Fluevog without question. The moment I entered the shop, I instantly felt that I was transported to the set [of Bridgerton].”
