Shoes carry us everywhere; from sandals to pumps, boots to sneakers, we spend most of our lives wearing them. A well-rounded woman is a well-dressed woman, and dressing well starts from what you wear on your feet. I always believe that your shoes are the base of your outfit. A smart pair of stilettos can take an otherwise drab work outfit to the perfect night-out look. If makeup, clothes, and hair are all other components of your style sundae, then your shoes are the cherry on top.
Investing in the right pairs of shoes can make all the difference in your life, especially if you find yourself doing a lot of standing and walking. Make sure to find a pair of shoes with plenty of arch support, and the proper width for your foot. There isn’t one type of foot, and there isn’t one type of style shoe for everyone. It takes a lot of trial and error to determine which brands and styles fit your lifestyle best. I would recommend finding one brand that you are fond of. The fit of the brand’s shoes and their styles should suit you, so you can rely on buying shoes over and over. Having a reliable fit from one brand can make shoe-shopping less daunting.
Finally, my last tip is to shop for your shoes in person. This way you can find your true size on one of the foot measuring devices, as well as have the help of the salesperson at the store, if you need a different size. I know that the internet has many different styles and brands to pick from, but the only way to truly gauge the quality of the shoe is to try it on in person. Shoe-shopping in person always gives me a nice sense of nostalgia. I remember following my mother around the shoe store when I was little, and having my foot measured by the salesperson. I loved walking up and down the aisles of the store, and looking at the fancy dress shoes I was too young to wear. As a result of this, I have been obsessed with shoes ever since. Here is what I have to say about the shoes you must have in your collection:
Flats are the most versatile shoe. They can be either casual or fancy, it all depends on which pair you are wearing. A nice pair of flats to have are ones small enough to slip into your bag if your feet get tired from wearing heels. For this, I would recommend a pair of ballet flats. Ballet flats are making a big comeback, especially with ballet-core trending on Tiktok. The brands Ballarette and Repetto make beautiful flats that are great quality.
Another pair of flats you should have are a smart pair of sandals. Espadrilles and platform sandals are fashionable choices for warmer weather. You can also dress up an outfit with a pair of strappy, leather sandals. Sandals are a great choice if you do not want to wear flip flops. I always wear my espadrilles to the beach, and when I get a pedicure. For some reason, I do not like the feeling on flip flops, and the quality of flip flops are reliably terrible.
Finding the right pair of heels is like finding a needle in a haystack. There are just so many to choose from! Also, they can be terribly uncomfortable if you buy the wrong size, style, or if you wear them for too long. How does one even begin? Start by keeping your abilities in mind. If you aren’t used to wearing heels, or if you want to start wearing them, start with a lower heel, or a kitten heel. Block heels are easier to walk in than stiletto heels, and it is easier to balance with a rounded toe than it is a pointed one. Before strutting off to your next event, wear your heels around the house to break them in, and to find your balance. Never buy a pair of heels that are uncomfortable to wear off the bat. For style and color, I recommend getting a reliable pair of leather or patent-leather black block heels. This pair will match anything in your wardrobe, and will be easy to walk in. Then, once you’ve had your practice, you can graduate to a pair of strappy, platform, or stiletto heels.
Every woman should have two types of sneakers: fashion sneakers, and designated running shoes. Your fashion sneakers are what you will wear when you dress casual. They’re the shoes you slip on while running errands, or going to informal events. You won’t be running marathons in these shoes. I recommend always getting your fashion sneakers in white. White matches everything, and is a very popular color for sneakers. (Think Filas and Air Force Ones). You can clean them by using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, or with gentle soap and warm water.
You should have a pair of sneakers dedicated to running or working out. This pair of shoes can come in any color or style, as long as it provides proper support to your feet and ankles, to prevent injury. These will be more prone to getting dirty than your fashion sneakers will. You can buy a durable pair from Nike, New Balance, or Reebok.
It is a good idea to have three types of boots: fashion boots, rain boots, and snow boots. A good pair of snow boots will be waterproof and well-insulated. They also will have grip on the bottom of them, so that you can walk on slippery surfaces. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Doc Martens are not snow boots. Unfortunately, I learned this lesson when I was 14, and my tailbone became well acquainted with black ice on my driveway. I was wearing Doc Marten chelsea boots. I also wasn’t very smart growing up. Snow boots will be the staple of your winter wardrobe if you live in a colder climate, or if you enjoy winter sports. A great pair of winter boots can last you a long time. I recommend buying your boots from Ugg, Columbia, or L.L. Bean.
Next, you’ll need some rain boots. It is important to have a designated set of rain boots, because you cannot wear your snow boots during a summer rainstorm. If you live in a rainy place, like Seattle or London, you will practically live in your rain boots. A popular rain boot brand is Hunter, but you can also buy your boots from Everlane or L.L. Bean. Make sure the rain boots you are purchasing are good quality, and will last more than one season.
Fashion boots are the bane of my existence and also the love of my life. I have too many pairs! My problem is collecting black leather ankle booties. I love them too much, and I need to get rid of my backup pair and back up to my back up pair. Fashion boots are the best because they always look polished and classy. They also come in every size, color, and style under the sun. You can also get fashion boots from anywhere, Fashion boots are where you can express yourself and go wild. Just make sure the boots fit in with the rest of your closet, so you will wear them often. I’d recommend getting one pair of ankle booties, knee-high boots, and over-the-knee boots each.
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