Shoes! I love them. Shoes are such a personal purchase, don’t you think? Well, I think they are because they’re so critical (in my opinion) to having a successful day (and outfit).

My passion for what goes on my feet runs deep. My grandfather ran a shoe store his entire career, my grandmother worked in the shoe department of Filene’s (oh, memories) for almost two decades, and so to say I’ve been around the footwear world my whole life would be an accurate statement. Shoes are important! And I love to have options. So, my current shoe collection is quite…vast. And comfortable!

While I wore the highest heels for our wedding and have a few pairs of dress-up options, you will almost always find me in some sort of sneaker, flat, or casual shoe for everyday wear. I have given in to my five-feet-tall status and accept that I’ll always be the short one in photos. I don’t like heels; I’d rather be comfortable. But still stylish. Thankfully, that is entirely (and easily) possible.

Now, let’s get to the shoes. Here you will find my current favorite shoe brands and styles that I own and wear often. Yes, the majority are sneakers of some sort, but as I said: I love to have options. Shoes make an outfit complete so having variety isn’t the worst. ;)

The best part about buying high-quality, neutral-style shoes is that they go with almost everything and they last! I only invest in shoes that I know will be worn for years to come and can be worn for multiple seasons. You won’t find a lot of sandals around here - the season is too short to stock up!

And now, without further ado…

The Shoe Guide

(as of July 2020)

Brands are listed alphabetically. I highly recommend checking the brand’s website for sizing and style/color availability as many of the styles listed are currently on sale (yay!).

Birkenstock

The Birkenstock brand has been around a long time for good reason: they make comfortable, long-lasting footwear! I’ve been a fan of the Arizona style (2 straps, open-back) since my pre-teen days and I must admit they’re still one of my favorite summer styles. They were “out” for a bit, but it seems that they’ve made a fashionable comeback (I hope). if you’re not a fan of the two-strap, then there are plenty of other options.

That’s another great thing about Birkenstocks; there’s a style for everyone! Below are the two colors of the Arizona I’m alternating wearing all summer long. Bonus - their shipping for online orders is gloriously quick!

Arizona oiled nubuck Leather - black

Arizona LEATHER - Copper Metallic

Gucci

Yes, these are splurge-pricing shoes. Gucci shoes, or any designer pair, are an investment. However, I think if you’re going to invest in fancy shoes infrequently, you may as well as invest in a pair (or two) that go with everything and work all year long. I love my Princetown mules with blue jeans, black jeans, white jeans, dresses, you name it. They work with all of it! And they can elevate outfits that lean toward the more-casual. Personally, I like wearing them with black jeans and a sweater (or tee) for going out to brunch (someday I’ll do this again).

The Jordaan loafers share a similar purpose, but I loved wearing them at work because they are very comfortable for a full day at the office (plus they make any and all work outfits look chic). Mules for the weekend, loafers for the work day; investment shoes that will last and look good with every outfit you create. Note: I’ve heard it’s a good idea to get the soles re-done in a more weatherproof rubber (this will make them last even longer).

PRINCETOWN LEATHER SLIPPER (MUles)

Jordaan LEATHER LOAFER

Golden Goose

This brand is very fashion-y and I know many people think it’s ridiculous to spend a lot of money on sneakers that already look worn out. I like buying things that look worn out (apparently). Yes, they are another “investment” brand, but I do think the unique designs, and very comfy soles, make these sneakers a good purchase (full disclosure: mine were a gift).

Golden Goose offers many styles and colors and new collections are released often. I like to wear mine with jeans, but I’ve seen many folks wearing them with shorts and skirts/dresses (they go with everything).

This brand makes fun and funky footwear that happens to be very comfortable thanks to a very cushy sole and a slight platform built into the shoe (. I’m a fan! Of note: the specific sneaker I link below is sold out, but there are many others available in the “Midstar” style.

Midstar in leather with snake-print insert

M. Gemi

What a great company! I’ve been wearing M. Gemi flats for work for years and I think they're an excellent option for office-life. However, since we’re mostly working from home these days, I love their other, more casual styles as well. The leather and suede driving moccasins are quite comfortable and I love the array of colors available.

M.Gemi makes their shoes in Italy and creates beautiful shoes, but doesn’t charge designer prices - how convenient! I would say that each style does fit slightly differently - luckily, half-sizes are available. Also, they are currently running an excellent sale. ;)

The Stellato Anello (Leather and Suede available)

The Felize Moccasin (leather and suede available)

Superga

These cotton-canvas sneakers are my most-worn shoes the moment socks are no longer necessary. They’re comfy (but not cushy), plain, but stylish, and really do work with every casual outfit imaginable. I’d even wear them with a denim skirt or a dress to keeps things low-key and informal.

I love the classic style, linked below, but the brand has expanded to a pretty big variety of options. They are an incredibly stylish option for the very-reasonable price point.

I wear my black pair with jeans of all colors, shorts of any style, and even with gym shorts for a walk. I love pairing the grey with white jeans and I save the navy ones to go with darker denim. A pair of Superga sneakers is one of my top choices for a “do everything” shoe.

2750 cotu Classic (black, sage grey, navy)

Veja

Here is another year-round option that’s comfortable, stylish, and really does work with all sorts of outfits. This European brand is environmentally-aware using “ecological and sustainable materials,” and even has vegan shoe options. They are shoes you can feel good about wearing!

I love wearing the V-10 style with jeans as it’s a heavier-looking shoe, but they could obviously be worn with shorts or skirts/dresses. It’s up to you! The Esplar and Nova styles are sleeker, which I like to wear with wider-leg denim, a casual dress, or shorts.

Veja sneakers take some time to break-in, but I think they’re really comfy after a bit of constant wear. The price-point seems about average for fashion-y sneakers and I think it’s pretty reasonable since they last well and can be worn all year long. Can you tell I’m a fan of the “cost per wear” mentality? Links below to the styles I own and wear the most.

V-10 STYLE

Esplar STYLE

Nova Style

Vince

How do I describe my ultimate slip-on sneaker? Essentially, it’s perfect! I love Vince shoes; they’re minimalist, stylish, classy, and of course, comfortable. However, the Blair style has to be my true favorite because they’re a go-with-everything sneaker and they are comfy. Once they’re broken in, I can walk miles and miles in these sneakers, which is great because that’s what I like to do! They’re stylish with jeans, shorts, dresses, everything.

During a trip to NYC last summer, I brought way too many shoe options (of course) as I found that I actually just wore these all day, every day. They were just the right shoe to go with all of my outfits and I even wore them out for dinner a few times since we opted to walk to our destination rather than take a cab.

If you’re in the market for slip-on sneakers, then I highly recommend the Blair sneaker from Vince. Many other options are out in the world in this style, but I just love these. I’ve listed below another Vince style I own and have worn a lot, but not quite as much as the Blair.

PERFORATED LEATHER BLAIR SNEAKER

SUEDE WARREN SNEAKER

York Athletics Mfg.

This New England-based sneaker company is relatively new-to-me, but I decided to try a pair after a number of the trainers and teachers at my gym were wearing them. Consider me easily influenced!

I love supporting local, small businesses and this is a family-run shoe brand that I’m so happy to support. Joyfully, their shoes are awesome and incredibly comfortable for workouts, walks, and everything in between.

I wear the Henry style for my daily walks and low-impact workouts. I love the Frank style for running, cardio workouts, and boxing (I’m working on it!).

This small company has a limited number of styles and conveniently they all fit similarly to other major shoe brands. I bought the same size that I have worn previously in Nike styles and they fit very well.

I can’t recommend this company enough for your next pair of workout sneakers; they are so comfy you’ll probably just wear them all of the time!

Tory Burch - espadrille flats and slide-on sandals (the espadrille flats and sandals are always stylish and very comfortable for summer style.)

***************************

OK. So. That was a lot. I hope it was helpful. And as I said in the beginning. I love shoes. I plan to update this guide in the future. You know, when fall styles come out… ;)

Enjoy!

Let’s Be Comfortable. And Stylish. (A Guide to Shoes)