I always admire your organized, thoughtful process when it comes to year-end reviews, Irina! It's clear you do a lot of planning and it pays off, big time, in your closet! I really like your strategy of looking for new textures in footwear -- it's led to some terrific finds. I, too, try to pay attention to texture when I am purchasing footwear -- this year I bought suede boots and patent, for the contrast they offer, after a few years of mostly plain leather and just one patent (all of which I still own and use).
Those shoes are both great -- I hope one or both works out. I like a pointed toe slingback with pants, too -- especially with cigarette style, or wide crops. Less with full length wider pants, because the hems can interfere with the backs of the shoes. Slingbacks are especially tough for me, due to heel slippage, but the style Carla has mysteriously also works for me, so I delight in them!.
My strategy, if you can call it that, is pretty much to look for what holes are there and try to fill with comfortable, walkable options. But I do look for texture and/or (esp. in summer) a colour that is fun, after several years of neutrals -- that kind of thing. I expect to purchase a pair of sandals this coming summer. Apart from that, I'm not sure what my needs are, yet. Maybe another pair of those knit oxfords, which are so great.