My shoe collection is sad - please help!

Please help me with my shoe inventory! I need to fill some holes but don’t have a ton to spend so want to get the most bang for my buck. The following styles/elements, all of which appeal to me, are for all intents and purposes completely missing from my shoe closet:

- fashion sneakers (I know many of you favour Converse; any other recs?)
- flats (I have 2 ho-hum pairs that are uncomfortable so I hate wearing them. What are your favourite comfortable yet stylish flats?)
- pumps
- flat sandals/gladiators
- wedges
- moccasins/loafers
- nude shoes
- colourful shoes
- animal prints
- metallics

I’d like to combine some of the missing elements (e.g. animal print pumps would check off two categories) but want to make sure they are versatile. Can you suggest colour/style combinations? I guess I am looking for shoes that work as neutrals but at the same time will liven up my wardrobe.

If it helps, I work in a business casual office and I live in Canada. With the exception of sandals, I’m looking to buy shoes I can wear year-round (outdoors in summer, indoors in winter).

I do have boots, booties, and heeled sandals covered (all in neutrals like black, brown and grey).

Thanks!

14 years ago

Meredith1953

Veteran

I think a wedge would be a really good shoe to consider. Generally I find them comfortable if the wedge isn't too high. They can look dressy and you can get them in prints, colors and with either closed or open toes. It's just a place to start.

(website)

I have metallic gladiators I wear to death in warm weather and some red patent flats (rolling 2 categories together). No animal prints for me, but pumps sound like a good way to do them. For wedges, I love espadrilles. No loafers/mocassins in my closet, but I have some clogs/mules that slide on easily. I have Vans and some floral Nike sneakers that I use mostly for work on a golf course, but they are low profile and cute for sneakers. Never tried Cons, myself.

Inge

Moderator

How about a red pump (colourful shoes + pumps), HK. Before YLF I would never have believed it, but a red shoe really can be a neutral. It's amazingly versatile. (I also find that to be true for yellow).
Angie recently wrote a post about Fidji shoes:
http://youlookfab.com/2012/01/.....or-spring/

A metallic loafer or oxford could be a real workhorse too.

Emily

I have had very good luck with Naturalizer for comfortable flats (such as #1 and #2). They seem to have a few good options each season, and good sales if you're willing to wait and watch. I have shopped from Naturalizer.ca succesfully several times, returns in store were painless. I think when you first sign up with them you get 10% off, too

I picked up the Houndstooth sneakers in #3 from Aldoshoes.ca to wear instead of my chucks, they were a steal at $15 and come in some other colours for a little more. Aldo also has a huge selection of mocs/loafers/boat shoes, so that may be worth investigating.

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Anonymous

Let's see, how about:
nude pumps
colorful wedges
metallic flat sandals
animal print loafers/moccasins
There are some cute fashion sneakers that are cut like a ballet flat if you don't want to go the Converse route.
By combining your wants, you only really need 4-5 pairs to get up to speed. Have fun!

gradfashionista

For flats, try Bloch's or Cole Haan with Nike Air--hope that helps!

christieanne

Brands I find comfortable in flats are MeToo and Calvin Klein.
I love a metallic flat and a metallic sandal - I have both and they are really versatile.
A red shoe in any of the above is a great option and easy to find. Red heels are so easy to mix in with neutrals.

For tennis shoe option, I rotate my Cons with Puma ballet style flats and sleek Adidas. I really like the Aldo sneaker s that Emily posted though. Cute!

HelloKitty

Active Member

Thanks for all the advice! I think I’ll focus for now on comfy flats, metallic gladiator-style sandals, and fashion sneakers of some sort. The brand recs will be especially helpful!

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