Nov 8

The Essential Shoe Edit: 12 Shoes Every Woman Should Own

If there’s one category I’m really passionate about when it comes to my personal style and styling others, it’s absolute shoes! As I get older and refine my style, I find that again and again I prefer reaching for elevated stapes that work seamlessly in my life – but that I can’t resist a special heel or gorgeous tweed flat. I’m grateful to have found a few essential shoes that I believe make for an amazing base to your overall personal style, and I’m excited to share them here!

Whether you’re overhauling your entire shoe collection or simply need to add a few fresh pairs to the mix, I’m hopeful that this list will help! Here are the 12 pairs of shoes every woman should own.

12 Pairs of Shoes Every Woman Should Own

Gisele Sandal

A sleek pair of black heels are a closet necessity. I love the ankle-strap on these L’agence heels and think the black suede is so timeless. If you want a comfortable heel that goes with anything, these would be a great pick. Bonus points? This heel features some surprisingly substantial arch support in the footbed. I love how the brand makes them in a range of colors, materials, and my favorite – textured tweeds. The Black Suede however is the perfect place to start – it’s a gorgeous saturated black shade and the silhouette is so flattering on the foot.

Stuart Weitzman 5050 Boots

If you haven’t hopped on the 5050 boot bandwagon yet, this winter would be an ideal time to (they make a great holiday gift). I’ll be honest…I resisted these boots for a long time. I’m not a big trend girl but honestly these boots are popular because they are so functional and look really fantastic with so many looks. I find myself slipping into these over-the-knee boots often, whether I’m running errands or heading to dinner. They’re a great way to dress up a casual pair of leggings with a tee and a blazer and I feel polished all day long. Not only are they insanely comfortable but they also hold up well over time. They’re truly an investment shoe that you’ll get great use out of for years to come.

Schutz Pearl Leather Mule

Another wardrobe staple? A low, pointed heel that’s chic yet easy to walk in. These are a steal for under $130 (and they come in four colors!) The embellished, knotted detail adds a unique touch of elegance. I recently stumbled upon these at the brand’s Madison Avenue store and couldn’t resist the chic proportions of the shoe with the truly special knot accent. Plus, can’t beat the price! They look like someone forgot to add a comma and a digit to the price tag…grab them before they sell out.

Aquazzura So Nude Sandal

Whether you’d describe your personal style as feminine, edgy, or traditional, you’ll likely find yourself reaching for nude heels to go with a variety of outfits. These go great with everything from cocktail dresses to wide-leg trousers. Aquazzura footwear is known to be wildly comfortable, and their heels offer impressive arch support. Trust me, you’ll want to buy more than one pair of these once you try them on – which is exactly what happened to me when I first tried this style when shopping for my wedding looks. I also have them in white satin which I wore to my bridal shower and to our wedding reception after party!

Alexandra Birman Clarita Heels

Soft suede, strap detailing, and an ankle bow make these black heels classic and feminine. Heading to a holiday party or special event? These would be the perfect companion to your outfit. They also come in nude suede if you’re looking for another neutral color, as well as soft leathers. I love the low heel height which makes these feel really appropriate for even slightly more formal settings – like a holiday dinner at home with family.

Aquazzura Leather Slinbacks

A quality pair of slingbacks are a closet staple. The strap ensures that your feet stay in place while wearing these, meaning you can jet off to a meeting or dance the night away without sliding around. They’re the slightly more covered sister to the So Nude sandal above and I wore them in satin for both of our wedding ceremonies.

Cole Haan Grand Crosscourt Sneaker

Let me introduce you to the perfect everyday sneaker. These crisp, white tennis shoes are lightweight yet supportive and comfortable—and they go with everything. Pair them with your favorite jeans, leggings, or jumpsuit to run errands, meet friends for coffee, or to walk the dog. I prefer to only travel with a carry-on bag so I need my sneakers to be multipurpose – and these work well for activities or pairing with a skirt or printed dress for a day of sightseeing.

Superga Cotu Sneaker

Another stylish and practical shoe to have in your closet? These Superga Cotu sneakers. I’ve had mine for years and can speak highly of their comfort level. Plus, they’re such a budget-friendly find at under $100! I adore wearing these with light dresses!

Hermes Oran Sandal

A classic sandal that’s worth the splurge. The iconic “H” silhouette will add a touch of sophistication to your everyday look. You can choose from a handful of colors but the cognac brown (named gold) is my favorite. They’re another power piece to work toward carry-on only because they can pull overtime from poolside to cocktails paired with a dress or pair of pants.

Margaux Flat Sandal

The thin, delicate straps and square toe structure of these flat sandals make them casual enough for daily wear. I lived in these during our honeymoon in Greece and can’t wait to pull them back out when the weather warms up again in the spring.

Margaux Demi Ballet Flats

Ballet flats might be making a comeback but I’ve been a longtime fan of the style. The simplicity of these French-inspired flats makes them a solid choice for pairing with a variety of outfits—denim, skirts, dresses, etc. They come in 16 colors and are offered in leather, suede, and a woven fabric. The price-point is great, I love the padded footbed, and the founders of this women-owned brands are friends I admire so much.

Margaux Mary Jane Shoes

My Margaux love continues…if traditional ballet flats don’t quite fit your aesthetic, these Mary Jane flats might be more your speed. Pointed toes and dainty straps add a unique element to these streamlined shoes. I love that they have foam padding in the soles—it makes them so nice to wear throughout the day!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

weddings engagements destinations
weddings

back

weddings engagements destinations
weddings

weddings engagements destinations
weddings

Join our list

Receive our weekly updates, travel tips, and of course stories of couples in love!

back