I have long considered shoes the most important finishing touch to any outfit. The right pair of shoes can make or break a look in my opinion and so often it can be easy to wonder which shoe goes with which outfit. It is why I have also built out a closet of timeless shoe styles that I have worn for many years.

It’s also why I invest in brands that make high quality shoes that put up with lots of wear (and why I pay special attention to take care of them). As a New Yorker and someone who travels to Europe multiple times a year, I walk thousands of steps every day and my shoes need to be able to hold up. 

If you’re looking to invest in your closet and build out a shoe capsule wardrobe of essential styles, you’ll find today’s post helpful.

32 Must–Have Shoes For Women

White Sneakers

I was convinced to buy these Common Projects sneakers after seeing my friend Jenny always looking so casually cool and put together in them. They are perfectly slim + sleek meaning they literally go with everything I own.

I love these sneakers and have worn them an almost embarrassing amount of times since getting them in 2018. I now bring them on pretty much every trip since they are so versatile. I wear them with dresses, with shorts, with jeans – you name it. I wore my first pair so much over three years that I have since bought another pair. They aren’t trendy, but they are a classic for me.

A head’s up that the sizing on the sneakers is funny – likely because I believe they are unisex? I took them in a size 36 when I’m usually a 37 in European shoes. Don’t miss my Common Projects sneakers review, along with some more affordable lookalikes.

Or, consider the  Veja Esplar sneakers.

A sleek, stylish sneaker is truly a shoe every woman should own and Veja has plenty of good options.

Low Block Heel Sandals

I have worn my Stuart Weitzman nude sandals with a stacked block heel pretty heavily. I’ve worn them to every wedding I went to for the past several summers and with countless other dresses for more casual affairs.

These shoes are so comfortable. They’re the perfect height, they are great to walk in. I can’t say enough about these as a worthwhile investment for a comfortable heel. 

This pair by Sarah Flint is another I love for comfort and style. They have a lower heel version, too if that’s more to your preference.

You can use code SF-MEGHAND15 for 15% off your first Sarah Flint order.

Strappy Heeled Sandal

Strappy sandals will never go out of style. A good pair will always pair well with a dressier black dress. Pick whatever heel height that you feel comfortable with. 

Wearing this Stuart Weitzman pair above.

Heeled Slingbacks

Every year for my birthday I buy myself a gift and in 2017 it was the Chanel slingbacks. I thought about these shoes for several years, tried them on several times and never bit the bullet until then. 

Now, I can’t imagine my shoe collection without these because I wear them so much! They elevate every outfit and go with jeans, trousers, or a midi dress. They’re comfortable because of the low, stacked heel and can put up with the many steps I log in them

If you like the style of these slingbacks and not the price, this and  this are more affordable options.

Related: What to Wear with Chanel Slingbacks

Woven Leather Sandals

I rely heavily on a pair of cognac sandals and a pair of black sandals to pair with all my favorite summer dresses during warmer weather. The YSL Tribute Sandals are sleek, timeless in style, and have been a well worth the investment. They are not my most comfortable but they are good for shorter outings. For a similar style at a lower price, I am a big fan of these sandals from Margaux. 

Per recommendations, I sized up half a size to a 37.5 in these.

Related: Sandal Styles Worth Buying

Ankle Wrap Sandals

A beautiful, flat leather sandal with an ankle wrap like this pair by Margaux is a great style that you’ll be able to dress up or dress down. I get so much wear out of them in summer! I love how they elongate my leg.

I just got this pair to add to my rotation.

Minimal Strappy Sandal

For another dressier sandal style, reach for a minimalist pair in a croc embossed leather.

The pair above are from Emme Parsons, they’re beautifully made! These are a similar option.

Ballet Flats

These Chanel ballet flats were another investment pair of shoes I thought about for a long time before I actually bought them in 2016.

I treasure these shoes and the sentiment they hold as I bought them while in Paris just before I started my self employment journey. They remind me of a time where I was full of hope and excitement and they always remind me of one of my most special trips to Paris.

These flats are so comfortable, have the prettiest design that goes with so much and make any outfit look a bit more dressed up. I wear them with jeans, with shorts and with dresses.

I consider these a signature shoe for me and reach for them so often.

I also have them in black:

And in an all-tan version, too:

If looking for a more affordable style – try the cap toe ballet flats from Margaux that are also timeless.

Metallic Sandal

I love a metallic sandal with a small heel when I want a dressier sandal with a particular look in warmer months.

This pair and this pair caught my eye!

Minimalist Flip Flops

I have a pretty hard and fast rule that flip flops are for the pool and beach only! This brand makes the best minimal sandals and flip flops (at a budget friendly price) — I’m wearing this pair above but also own and love these. You can also shop the brand here.

This pair is next on my personal wish list.

Kitten Heel Ankle Boots

These STAUD ankle boots have been a welcome addition to my Fall wardrobe, I absolutely fell in love with the silhouette. I love the kitten heel for walking around, plus they pair perfectly with slightly wider cut denim. 

This Fall I want to get the knee-high version of them.

This pair of kitten heel boots from Ayede are another go-to ankle boot for Fall. 

Suede Knee High Heeled Boots

These Larroude boots are gorgeous and so comfortable. They pair beautifully with dresses and skirts.

An elegant boot like this pair is such a stylish way to upgrade any outfit.

Stacked Heel Leather Boot

And a similar style that I often reach for is a stacked heel leather boot like my Loeffler Randall Goldy Boots. Perfect for the Fall and Winter!

Converse All Star Sneakers

Love a sportier sneaker? There’s a lot of reasons the Converse All Stars have been iconic sneakers for decades.

I bought the Converse All Stars low tops in black after seeing French girls style them in so many cool ways. They are perfect for wear for me in Paris and New York in Fall and Winter.

As the shoes are unisex be sure you consult the size guide before ordering!

Calf Suede Boot

This stylish and sleek pair of boots is perfect with dresses and skirts.

You can use code MEGHAN15 for 15% off your purchase of Inez shoes.

Timeless Loafer

A comfy, buttery leather loafer never goes out of style. 

I have owned this pair by Gucci for years and years now and the beautiful Elba pair by Freda Salvador.

Use code WITWHIMSY10 for 10% off your first order at Freda Salvador.

Mule Loafers

These Gucci mule loafers are a great staple mule shoe as I think they elevate any outfit. Better yet? They go with pretty much every one of my favorite pair of jeans. I sized up to a 37.5 in these.

You can get the look for less with this Sam Edelman pair.

Espadrilles

These comfortable espadrilles look just as good with jeans as they do with dresses and skirts. I’ve worn them so much in the Spring and Summer for the seven+ years I have owned them. 

A quintessential European inspired shoe style, and especially handy for when you want to dress up but still navigate cobblestone streets!

I also have the black pair.

Related: The Best Shoes for Summer

The Perfect Pump

An iconic shoe in any woman’s closet. I love how a pointed toe pump elongates your leg and can go with jeans, skirts and dresses.

One of the most comfortable pairs of heels I own are the Sarah Flint Perfect Pump. Expertly crafted with comfort in mind, the soles feel like little clouds which makes scooting around town easy, breezy in these. I also love that they come in three heel heights and multiple colors.

I own the Black, Taupe, Espresso & Red and am eyeing the new Navy style, too.

You can use code SF-MEGHAND15 for 15% off your first Sarah Flint order.

Pointed Toe Flats

The Sarah Flint Natalie Flat is a go-to shoe for me for its feminine silhouette, sleek pointed toe, and comfortable design. I own this shoe in multiple colors and have blogged about this great shoe here, here & here. 

You can use code SF-MEGHAND15 for 15% off your first Sarah Flint order.

Cognac Sandal

The Hermes Oran sandal are the most effortless summer sandal to wear with everything. They’ve been a staple in my shoe collection for a reason.

A more affordable lookalike can be found here or here!

Woven Ballet Flats

This pair of woven leather ballet flats were a new addition to my shoe collection last Summer, and I wore them all over Provence! Perfect for those in between days when it’s not quite warm enough to wear a sandal.

Related: What to Wear in Provence in Summer

Athletic Sneakers

These APL Techloom sneakers were a best buy of 2019 and I haven’t stopped loving them since! They are so comfortable and I love that I don’t have to wear socks with them. They are the shoe I reach for every time I am heading out for a long walk, going on a light hike, working out, or want to be extra comfortable in a sneaker that doesn’t sacrifice style.

I sized down half a size to a 6.5. APL has so many styles and colors too, if my pair aren’t your vibe.

Related: Athleisure Capsule Wardrobe

Sock Booties

My number one choice when it comes to shoes for Fall is a comfortable heeled sock boot!

These Inez booties are so comfortable and I loved the perfect neutral color so much, I ended up buying the chocolate brown color as well.

You can use code MEGHAN15 for 15% off your purchase of Inez shoes.

I also have a a pair in black that get a lot of wear. These booties from Loeffler Randall were the best pair of shoes I bought in 2017 and remain a favorite nearly 10 years later. I can go for miles and miles without any issues with these little booties and I love styling them with both jeans as seen here or with dresses.

I get compliments on them whenever I wear them, and truly find myself reaching for them in Fall and Winter at least twice a week.

They also come in a gorgeous cognac color which I promptly added to my collection.

Sporty Casual Sneakers

Adidas have quickly become my go-to favorite sporty casual sneakers. I spotted this pair above on so many cool French girls in Paris last winter, and of course I adore my Sambas (especially for long travel days!)

This pair from Onitsuka Tiger are the newest sneakers in my collection, I find myself reaching for them whenever I travel to Europe.

Dress Booties

Every girl’s closet needs a pair of perfect dress booties to wear all Fall and Winter. This pair is so sleek and yet comfortable. I reach for them particularly during the Fall and during the holiday season as I love how they look with little dresses and tights.

This style also comes in a lower heel height if that’s your preference.

You can use code SF-MEGHAND15 for 15% off your first Sarah Flint order.

Kitten Mules

These heels are so timeless, so chic and truly the perfect ladylike shoe. Whenever I share them on social media I always get questions about their comfort, so I have to be honest — these are not my most comfortable shoe!

Heeled mules in general are not a shoe I would reach for when it comes to wearing them for a long period of time or when I am planning to do a lot of walking. These are much more a shoe I wear out to dinner, to an event, or that I’ll throw in a tote and swap into as I reach my destination. 

I don’t find they slip off and have truly had no real issue walking in them, but keep in mind every foot is different! I just walk more slowly in these then I would a lot of other go-go-go shoes on this list! I already want another color.

I sized up half a size.

Ballerina Mules

A chic and timeless mule in a great neutral. I love the modern take on the ballerina flat of these Manolo Ballerimus.

I sized up half a size in these.

Waterproof Lug Sole Boots

Water resistant suede? Yes please! These Freda Salvador boots are so lightweight making them perfect for travel and oh so practical. Super comfy, too. I wear my true size. If you’ve never bought a pair of Freda shoes before, you can use code WITWHIMSY15 for 15% off!

I also have a similar style of Lug Sole Boot in leather as well.

Riding Boots

I looked for what felt like years to find the perfect riding boot. I wanted something unbranded (read: no logos!), something that felt really timeless, was comfortable and was slim in profile. Finally I found this pair from Sarah Flint! Perfect for pairing with everything from midi skirts to mini skirts and dresses.

Woven Mary Janes

These woven leather Mary Janes from Margaux are a new addition to my wardrobe. They’re perfect for Spring transitional dressing and pair perfectly with jeans, dresses, and skirts.

Building a Shoe Collection from Scratch

If you’re building a shoe collection from scratch, focus first on versatile shoes that can be worn across multiple seasons and occasions. Rather than chasing trends, I always suggest investing in classic shoe styles that work with the majority of your wardrobe. There are pairs of shoes in my collection I’ve had for 10+ years!

A great pair of white sneakers, comfortable flats, versatile sandals, ankle boots and a dressier heel will cover most everyday needs, from travel and work to special occasions!

Over time, you can add more seasonal or statement styles, but starting with these wardrobe essentials will help you create a practical shoe capsule wardrobe that feels both functional and timeless. In my experience, the best shoe collection isn’t necessarily the biggest one — it’s the one filled with pairs you reach for again and again.

. . .

As you break in any new shoes, you may want to consider stocking up on these Blister BandAids. They are life savers in case you run into any blisters.

And don’t miss How I Take Care of My Favorite Shoes. You can shop more shoes in my closet in The Shop, too.

Shop the Shoes

 

You May Also Like:

• What Shoes to Wear with a Black Dress.
• Things I’ll Be Wearing This Summer.
• Best Summer Shoes for Women.

This post contains affiliate links. Should you purchase something from an affiliate link, I may earn commission, at no cost to you. Thank you for your support of my work!