If 2025 was defined by quiet luxury, 2026 has officially flipped the script. Welcome to the era of serotonin shoes — whimsical, extreme statement footwear engineered with one primary objective: to act as an instant, dopamine-inducing mood booster.
Serotonin shoes on the runway
Fantasy heels took centre stage on the Chanel Fall/Winter 2026 Couture, where Matthieu Blazy paired ethereal looks with whimsical pumps featuring pearl-embellished bean sprouts, gilded egg heels and butterfly details. At Dior’s Fall/Winter 2026 Couture, Jonathan Anderson embraced sculptural florals with flower-covered heels inspired by the Jardin des Tuileries, while Dries Van Noten’s Julian Klausner added sparkle and texture with crystal-embellished, tactile heels designed to instantly elevate everyday dressing.
The homegrown ‘serotonin’ shoes in India
It’s not just global luxury houses driving the trend! Homegrown Indian brands are right at the forefront of the serotonin shoe movement. Local sneaker labels like Gully Labs are leaning into high-energy hues, experimenting with hot pink accents, feathered trims, and jewellery accessories strung directly onto vivid yellow soles.
{{/usCountry}}It’s not just global luxury houses driving the trend! Homegrown Indian brands are right at the forefront of the serotonin shoe movement. Local sneaker labels like Gully Labs are leaning into high-energy hues, experimenting with hot pink accents, feathered trims, and jewellery accessories strung directly onto vivid yellow soles.
{{/usCountry}}“The instinct behind dressing for joy is not new at all, especially for us at Gully Labs. Think about a child choosing what to wear; they’ll instinctively pick the brightest pink, the most colourful shoe, simply because it makes them happy, and that’s something we unlearn as we grow up. We just want to bring some of that instinct back. Let’s all go back to choosing colour, playfulness and joy simply because they make you feel good,” says Arjun Singh, Co-founder, Gully Labs.
Indian fashion designers are not ones to be left behind either. Shoe designer Jeetinder Sandhu stands as a pioneer of the movement, experimenting with theatrical, structural silhouettes that turn footwear into wearable art. “A shoe may be a relatively small object, but it has the ability to completely transform the way someone looks and feels. It’s an element that becomes the entire conversation; I love to experiment with proportions, unexpected material combinations and construction techniques simply because I am very drawn to the hidden element of surprise. I don’t create these shoes just to be wearable, but to inspire individuality.”
Along with labels like Theatre, Banjaaran Studio, and Fizzy Goblet, Indian homegrown shoe brands are increasingly proving that joy-inducing, head-turning soles are officially local.
Why are these back in style?
Designer Nachiket Barve points to the psychology of “lipstick index” spending, where consumers turn to small luxuries during uncertain times.
“Whenever the economic or social climate feels down, people naturally seek small indulgences—little treats that spark the imagination and boost their mood. That’s really where the ‘serotonin shoe’ trend comes from,” he explains. “While high-fashion garments from luxury houses are consumed by a very small audience, accessories—especially shoes—offer a far more accessible price point. Ever since Sex and the City popularised the allure of the statement shoe over two decades ago, footwear has become an increasingly coveted category. What we’re seeing right now is a bite-sized translation of haute couture. You might not have the budget or lifestyle for a couture jacket from a storied fashion house, but a pair of whimsical, eccentric shoes lets you bring a drop of that magic into your everyday wardrobe,” he says.
Do they actually make you feel happier?
“Serotonin shoes are an extension of dopamine dressing, using colour, playful details and bold styles as a form of self-expression. They shift the mindset from ‘How do I look?’ to ‘I want to stand out and express my individuality,’ rather than seeking validation. Bright colours and meaningful accessories can also evoke feelings of positivity and enthusiasm. What we wear influences how we feel, how others respond to us and, in turn, how we respond to them. It becomes a psychological cycle, with clothing directly influencing confidence—and a pop of colour adding an extra sense of energy,” says image coach Shivani Sharma.
From a neurological perspective, there is some merit to the idea of dopamine dressing. “The idea behind dopamine dressing or ‘serotonin shoes’ is that wearing bright colours and visually appealing clothing can influence how we feel, potentially promoting positive emotions and making us feel happier. In turn, this may support overall emotional well-being,” says Dr Nitin Kumar Sethi, Chairman, PSRI Institute of Neurosciences.