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.
Price: $139
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: $70
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:
Sarah Flint Perfect Pump 85
We get that we need to explain ourselves when we list an investment shoe of this nature. But there is simply no shoe more beautiful that you will wear as frequently as this pump. Perhaps in black suede? Or petal patent? Each color and print is more surprising and lovely than the last. But whichever you choose, it will undoubtedly elevate every single thing you throw it on with for the rest of time.
Price: $550
Mid:
M. Gemi The Esatto 90mm
A masterful pointed toe heel with the most symmetrically stunning shape. More importantly, it doesn’t kill our poor, old feet.
Price: $328
Low:
Aerosoles Betsy
Words like”ortholite foam insole” and “chunky heel” may not sound sexy . But when we’re able to exist in this kind of comfort while still sporting a gorgeous heel, honestly, few things are as thrilling.
Price: $99
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:
Larroudé
Ricky 50MM Leather Knee-High Boots
Call these the little black dress of boots, sleek and elegant but with a block heel and soft, luxe leather that make them a dream to walk in. Also, perhaps most importantly, the calf is wide enough to fit over our curves.
Price: $485
Mid:
Vince Camuto Sangeti 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 they come in wide-calf - the dream.
Price: $229
Low:
Journee Collection Sanora Wide Calf Boot
Once again, a chic and perfectly shaped boot that capitalizes on coziness. The zip up the side makes putting them on a breeze. With how lovely they look, the price is sort of blowing our minds.
Price: $70
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 God-send of a shoe. And so we selected the best of the best.
There is something vaguely unconquerable about these boots. Between their perfect slightly Western-inspired shape, padded 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.
Price: $425
Mid:
Nisolo Dari Commuter Boot
Apart from being gorgeous, the block heel on this bootie makes them the kind of shoe that is difficult to not reach for each time you’re getting dressed. Add the fact that they’re light, luxe, and have teensy details like the zip up the back makes them even more desirable to throw on and go.
Price: $150
Low:
Journee Collection Tru Comfort Foam™ Sadiya Bootie
A faultless bootie with something called “Comfort Foam” for extra coze. The price is jarringly low. The colors make it hard to choose just one pair.
Price: $60
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 City 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: $325
Mid: Naturalizer Vera Ankle Strap Sandal
A sleek, minimalist sandal that comes in every neutral hue you could want. But what sets this one apart is the not-too-high, stabilizing heel and cushioned support that renders us able to LIVE in them.
Price: $110
Low: Madewell The Tayla Sandal
And then of course, there are those sandals that we just want to easily slide our feet into so we can go about our day, looking chic and "put-together” and possibly even a wee bit sexy(ish). Dipping a toe anyway.
Price: $56
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:
M. Gemi The Esatto
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: $248
Mid:
Madewell The Greta Ballet Flat
We will never be opposed to a Mary Jane. Our 90s selves just won’t allow it.
Price: $98
Low: A New Day™
Women's Corinna Ballet Flats
The shape makes it look 10x more expensive. Oh, and it comes in wide. Yay!
Price: $15
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:
Stuart Weitzman Ultralift Leather Casual Penny Loafers
If owning a shoe that works with everything, that adds height without an ounce of foot pain, and makes all your “quiet luxury” looks seem 20x more expensive, this one might be worth the one-time investment. It’s the ideal ratio of lug-sole to rest-of-shoe in gorgeous penny loafer form. It has a sort of sorcery-like way of balancing an outfit and by the time we’re done with them (which will be never), we figure we’ll have the cost-per-wear down to 50 cents.
Price: $495
Mid: The Vernon Bit Hardware Loafer in Leather
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: $158
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: $70
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:
Sarah Flint Perfect Dress Sandal
Sparkly. Elegant. Perfection. If Grace Kelly were a shoe…
Price: $550
Mid: Inez Bianca
We discovered Inez when desperately searching for a brand of shoe that was devoted to comfort without giving an inch on artistry. Inez shoes are art. This pair also comes in gold and black, but the gunmetal makes it so you can pair it with any of your “going-out outfits” or a boring black dress and poof!!, you’re suddenly the best dressed person in the room. And you barely had to think about it.
Price: $268
Low:
Aerosoles Cosmos
We end with a shoe that every woman we know who’s bought them has told us has become their “go-to party shoe.” Whatever the occasion. Even those that require a serious amount of standing/ walking/ dancing/ schmoozing.
Price: $135
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 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.
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.
Supremely comfy, chic, and cloud-adjacent.
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 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.
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