The Only 8 Pairs of Shoes You Need To Own At Low, Medium, High Price Points
by The Candidly Team
Shoes may be the last thing we throw on, but they hold the quiet power to make or break everything else we’re wearing. Because of that, some of us create entire outfits around them. And some of us forget they exist altogether until the minute we’re rushing out the door with 18 bags/ coats/ keys hanging from our bodies.
Like a handbag, shoes can be our wildest indulgence, a small investment into a wearable piece of art. But most of the time, we find ourselves wishing we had something easy and foolproof that effortlessly elevates our look. A perfect pair of staple shoes that are gorgeous and chic, but also very, very comfortable and just an all-around pleasure to wear.
Well, we are quite happy to report that, after some very deep digging, we have found these essential shoes. In every category. At every price point. We only hope seeing them brings you the kind of joy/relief they brought us when we discovered them.
1. THE CHIC SNEAKER
There are few things you will wear more than a white sneaker. A good one holds all the understated elegance of a ballet flat. They work with everything from our best jeans to a midi dress, so we can look like one of those carefree, cool people who don’t need a fancy shoe to look effortlessly chic, while secretly being our most comfortable at all times.
High:
Veja Campo Bicolor Leather Low-Top Sneakers
It may not be very original to say that Veja reigns supreme in the world of sneakers. But we’d be lying if we said otherwise. Their sneaks are one of those rare things that feel sublime but look “fancy” enough to complete our outfits - even for work or going out. This pair is luxe and leather but still extremely wearable, lightweight, and cozy.
Price: $175
Mid: soludos The Original Ibiza
We’ve yet to find a more elegant sneak. We wear these with everything, but especially skirts and dresses, because no shoe this chic has ever been this comfortable.
Use the code THECANDIDLY10 for 10% off.
Price: $149
Low:
Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Lace Up Sneaker
An addictive level of comfort. Arch support for days. Probably the most comfortable shoe on this list. And still 100% chic.
Price: $65
2. THE PERFECT PUMP
Excellent heels seem to constantly elude and evade us. Either we find a pair that stops us in our tracks for their sheer beauty then literally stops us in our tracks, because our poor feet are dying. Or we sacrifice form for function. Yet, each of these pairs is so special precisely because not only are they a cut-above on gorgeousness, but they feel like heaven to wear.
High:
M.Gemi The Valeria Pump
A masterful pointed toe heel with the most symmetrically stunning shape. More importantly, it doesn’t kill our poor, old feet.
Price: $448
Mid:
Sam Edelman Hazel Pointed Toe Pump
What the French call “classique.”
Price: $150
Low: Quince
Italian Leather Pointed Toe 40mm Kitten Heel Pumps
A foolproof. real-leather kitten heel for everyday chicness.
Price: $94
3. The Knee High Boot
Honestly, is there anything easier than slipping on a knee-high boot to make you look instantly chic? The downside is having even an ounce of discomfort, particularly when squeezing our calf into something tight that has absolutely no give. This is why we have chosen sleek, spacious boots that are completely stunning but that we actually want to wear/ can slip on with ease.
High:
Frankie4 Allegra Pointed Toe Knee High Boot
Call these the little black dress of boots, sleek and elegant but with a not-too-high heel and soft, luxe leather that make them so much lovelier to walk in.
Price: $344
Mid:
Quince Italian Leather Block Heel Boot
We speak of these boots a lot, because they have executed so well on fit and feel while having a gorgeous structure. The big block heel ensures absolute comfort but also balances out whatever we’re wearing up top, so we can pair it with column skirts or skinny jeans, and it all looks very balanced.
Price: $218
Low:
Dolce Vita Ratana Knee High Boot
Buttery soft suede and slightly western if you like a little edge to your booted look. And you still get that comfy and stable block heel.
Price: $130
4. The Ankle Boot
When did an ankle boot magically become the most versatile (and therefore, important) shoe in our closet? We get it though. They’re chic and easy, and they go with everything. Plus they keep our feet gloriously warm and are bliss to walk in. They do all of this while still making us seem like we tried very hard to look put together. They are, in short, a godsend of a shoe. And so we selected the best of the best.
High: Inez Paz 70
There is something vaguely unconquerable about these boots. Between their perfect, timeless shape, plush insole, and block heel, they manage to seamlessly blend style with comfort. We wear them everyday… but also with every outfit we dress up in. Every. Single. One.
Use the code CANDIDLY15 to get 15% off.
Price: $385
Mid:
Nisolo Cara Chelsea Boot
The only Chelsea boot you’ll ever need.
Use THECANDIDLY20 to get 20% off.
Price: $248
Low:
Quince Eco Knit Heeled Bootie
The stretchiest, most breathable “glove bootie” around.
Price: $82
5. THE SANDALS
Nothing screams warm, lovely, picnic weather like a sandal. They’re strappy and romantic. They make anything we wear 10x prettier. And although there are many ways to go with a sandal - from a graceful flip to a striking heel - we chose these three pairs for their ability to yes, look phenomenal with everything we’re wearing this spring, but also because of their deeeeeeep understanding that we need our feet to feel supported and comfy every single second of every day.
High: Margaux The Palmona Sandal
We know, we know, we won’t shut up about a block heel. But I mean, there is some real artistry at work with this perfect, perfect sandal. And yes, they cost, but there will never be a prettier sight when you glance down at your toes. They’ll be the pair you smile at in your closet, pack in your suitcase, and wear to 857 occasions, collecting countless compliments along the way.
Price: $375
Mid: Naturalizer Brandy Sandal
It’s so strappy, it sort of reads like a heel, but the comfort is on a whole, other, cloud-like level.
Price: $130
Low: Naturalizer Jordis Dress Sandal
These are the ONLY heels we’ve literally chosen over ballet flats because of their comfort. The cushioning and arch support are surreal, and the price right now is headspinning.
Price: $79.50
6. The Classic Ballet Flat
Is there anything more stereotypically elegant than a ballet flat? Yes. A ballet flat that doesn’t leave us keeling over and tending to blisters, because quite frankly, they were not these ballet flats. Here we share 3 of our favorites, but we actually made a list of 15 that we’re pretty wild about.
High:
Margaux The Demi
If Audrey Hepburn were a shoe. This one is so graceful and the sort of stunning shape that sweeps you off your very tired feet.
Price: $325
Mid: A New Day™
Women's Corinna Ballet Flats
Could have gone in our low-price category, but these are the flexible, breathable, elegant flats we LIVE in. We wrote all about this HERE.
Price: $100
Low:
Madewell The Greta Ballet Flat
We will never be opposed to a Mary Jane. Our 90s selves just won’t allow it.
Price: $98
7. The Comfy Slip On
A good slip on, be it a loafer or some other sort of staple flat, are the shoes we feel seen by. They’re at once practical, pairing excellently with our collection of wide leg pants and finest jeans, but they’re also luxe and comfortable and eeeeeeasy. I mean, they’re so desirable, we invented a whole category around them.
High:
Beek Griffin Suede Loafer
If owning a shoe that works with everything and makes all your “quiet luxury” looks seem 20x more expensive, this one might be worth the one-time investment. And it feels like heaven.
Price: $340
Mid: The Grayson Penny Loafer
If we’re being honest, we’d have paid twice as much for these shoes. And that is because they defy trends, and the quality is perfection. We trust them to keep us looking impeccably “styled” for all of time.
Price: $178
Low: Quince Water Repellent Suede Clog Mule
We all require that irresistibly cozy shoe we can slide on like the lazy humans we truly are and drag ourselves out the door. This pair manages to still make us look like we put in effort. It’s made from luxe suede but costs a fraction of what many brands are charging for similar styles.
Price: $74
8. The Party Shoe
Is there any piece of footwear that sparks more joy than a party shoe? It’s the shoe that allows us to lean fully into sequined sophistication or to be a bit more bold and daring and playful. But, in addition to being striking, a good party shoe needs to be something we can wear all night without killing our feet. Enter these 3 glorious shoes…
High:
Inez Cleo
Holiday party perfection.
Use the code CANDIDLY15 to get 15% off.
Price: $325
Mid: Yosi Samra Violet Pointed Toe Slingback Flat
A flat you can wear to a party? Yes, please!
Price: $140
Low: Quince
Italian Leather Slingback 75mm Heel
That silver is such a smart way to make every black dress we wear thrilling.
Price: $82
BONUS: The Best of The Best Regardless of Pric
We know. We said you only “need” 8 shoes, and we stand by that. Buuuut given our mix of individual tastes, we wanted to honor a few alternates that many might call necessities. And quite frankly, we figured some of you would yell at us for not including several of them. Consider it a bonus. But we also get it if you’d swap out one of the above categories in favor of one of these pretty special pairs.
The Chunky Chelsea Boot* - The lug-sole might be the most brilliant thing to happen to a boot in our lifetime. It’s taking something already comfy and making it 15x comfier. It adds actual arch support and a blocky aesthetic that works magic to balance an outfit. You can wear this pair with anything and even soften them up with a pleated skirt. Case in point.
The Cozy Boot* - An UGG boot remains a cozy classic that has yet to be defeated. If you live anywhere that gets even mildly chilly, these will be your most prized possession.
The Universal Workout Sneaker* - Supremely comfy, chic, and cloud-adjacent.
The Flip Flop* - This is the most universal, elegant flip flop. They come in every shade of nude and happen to be part of the most flattering outfit we’ve seen assembled.
The Slippers* - The shoe we live in when we are home, which is all the time. So it may as well be the softest thing we’ve ever slipped onto our feet.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
We have to eat.
