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When people ask me if I collect something, are shoes a fair answer? I may or may not be the only one who has too many pairs of shoes. With an overflowing shoe rack and (several) pairs I haven’t touched in ages, a good shoe audit is long overdue. And it got me thinking: How many pairs of shoes do I really need?
In the depths of my thinking I calculated that the answer is seven. I’ve put together a capsule wardrobe that carries over from season to season, and now it’s time to do the same for my shoe collection. A well-rounded, versatile, high-quality shoe collection serves a much more efficient purpose than having a pair fall out every time I open the closet.
These shoes are suitable for every possible event of the year, from weddings to running errands to braving a sleet storm. Consider these your ultimate shoe capsule wardrobe.
You can’t deny how important a pair of sneakers is in your wardrobe. Whether you wear it to the office with trousers or pair it with your favorite jeans and a black top in the evening, it’s the comfortable all-round shoe you’ll come back to again and again. If you choose a pair, it only makes sense that they will match the majority of your wardrobe. Whether you want a classic white pair or a pair that will add some color to your outfits, these pairs will be the gift that keeps on giving.
The days of the smelly, shabby ballerinas of the early years are long gone; In 2024, they’re all grown up and deserve a permanent place in your wardrobe. It’s always a joy when something classic is also considered trendy, and that goes for ballet flats too. From edgy mesh versions to classic black styles, there’s a pair to suit every wardrobe.
Even if you don’t consider yourself a heel person, it’s inevitable that your year will include events that require it. Instead of scrambling and buying a pair from Target that will fall apart before I leave the dance floor at the first wedding I wear them at, I recently invested in a quality pair — and I couldn’t believe how much more comfortable they were. I chose a neutral color that would suit any dressy occasion I have throughout the year, and my feet will be happy with fewer blisters in the future.
No summer is complete without that pair of sandals you reach for every day. Whether you prefer a strappy pair or one you can leave at the door to throw on and go, it’s important that you choose a pair that’s comfortable enough to wear throughout the warmer months . I’m happy to announce that my days of flimsy, worn-out Old Navy flip-flops are over and my current sandals will last more than a season.
From office days to an afternoon strolling around town, a pair of loafers is the perfect flat shoe option for days when you want to look chic but maybe also get your 10,000 steps in before you get home. We love styles with a lightweight lug sole that are durable, walkable and add a menswear-inspired touch to an outfit.
There will always be a time and a place for a pair of classic knee-high boots. Whether paired with a mini skirt for transitional spring or draped over wide-leg jeans for the office, they add a level of sophistication to almost anything. There was a time when I didn’t have a pair in my closet and constantly felt an emptiness. When you choose a timeless pair, it’s a shoe you can reach for to elevate your outfits for years to come.
Gen-Z has preached that booties are all over TikTok, but I respectfully disagree. A pair of heeled ankle boots are an absolute must in a shoe collection, no matter who you are or where you live. I set aside the worn-out lug-sole pair from my college days and opt for a dressy heeled pair that can be worn casual or dressed up, depending on what I need that day.
