Must-Have Shoes In Every Wardrobe

Hannah Latchman
STYLE SQUAD
Published in
4 min readJul 31, 2019

Some women have a multitude of shoes whereas others are loyal to only a few tried-and-true pairs. However, regardless of how many shoes you own, I think we all can agree that the right pair of shoes can make all the difference when it comes to tying a look together. You can have as many shoes as you want, but we want to make sure that before you splurge on those electric blue strappy heels that you have the basics first. To make your getting-ready process more seamless, we narrowed it down to a few staple shoe styles. Finding the balance between nice-to-haves and have-to-haves can be difficult but we have joined the two to create a list of can’t-live-without, non-negotiable shoe essentials for every wardrobe.

Flats

Commonly referred to as ballet flats, this shoe style can be worn with jeans, skirts, shorts, or dresses. They add the perfect touch of sophistication and femininity to your overall look (not to mention they’re insanely comfortable.) Whether you’re running errands, picking the kids up from practice, or at the office, flats are a great alternative to heels. We recommend starting off with a basic black or nude pair, then depending on your style, choose a bright patent leather flat to add a pop of color and personality.

Sandals

For the warmer months, sandals are a go-to. When it comes to sandals, it’s important to have one or two pairs that can be dressed up or down. Whether you’re looking to simplicity or elegance, convenience or style, there is a sandal style that will best suit your needs and your personal style. Thong styles, Birkenstocks, strappy platform styles — they’re all important styles to incorporate into your sandal collection. Aside from the 2 seconds that it takes to put on sandals, its ability to tie any look together regardless of occasion or ensemble, proves it to be a priority on our wardrobe must-haves list.

Pumps

Where would women be without the classic pump? Pumps are by far the most versatile shoe a woman can own. They’re perfect for parties, work, date night, lunch with the girls — you name it. Black and nude pumps are a great starting point as they go with anything and you can rotate between the two. As far as shape, a pointed to pump proves to be the most classic shape although a slightly rounded toe works to add dimension to your look. Pumps are a timeless wardrobe essential that will keep you looking chic all year round.

Booties

The days of boots only being suitable for the fall and winter are long gone. With today’s trends, boots can be worn during any season. The ankle boot, or bootie, is quickly becoming ubiquitous. Frankly, it’s gone from a fad to a staple within the time span of a few months. Booties come in all different colors and styles. Some may have metal buckles with a faux leather finish whereas others may be a subtle camel suede style. This is the perfect shoe to pair your outfits with if you’re looking for something dressier than sneakers while also being able to ditch the heels.

Sneakers

Sneakers are all the craze right now. From celebrities to busy working women alike — everyone is crazy for sneakers. A fashionable, casual pair of sneakers are perfect for relaxed days at work or vacations that demand way too much walking. Despite the struggle to keep them clean and pristine, a solid pair of sneakers is the way to go to for versatility and an added freshness to your closet. If you aren’t already sold on the comfortability and overall effortless look of sneakers, they also add an instant touch of “cool” to your outfit.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or just wanting to revamp your closet — we’ve got your back! We hope our one-stop guide on shoe essentials helped you decide which pieces best fit your personal style and how to get the most out of each of them. Share your own list of wardrobe essentials in the comments!

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