Your Shoes Are Ruining All Your Outfits. Here Are 4 That Work No Matter What.
Not to be dramatic. But it’s true.
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by The Candidly Team
We’re assuming since you clicked into this title that you’ve had this same experience:
You put your outfit together. It fits well. You like everything you have on. You’re almost out the door, and then, every single shoe you try instantly ruins everything.
The proportions are off. Your legs look shorter. Your flip flops look slobby. Your booties leave a huge gap between the ankle and the bottom of your jeans. Your flats are too flat. Your heels are too painful. None of it works.
But why?!?!
The truth is many shoes are only meant for one thing - one particular kind of bottom or one exact length of jeans. It’s the reason we end up wearing the same 4 pairs of shoes most of the time, and we all feel like we need more shoes.
What we actually need is shoes that do it all - the ones that don’t just “work” with 99% of what we wear, but that make those things look better - elevate, to use a fashiony term.
Welp, you know the drill. We found the shoes. All chosen specifically because of how perfect they look with so many different looks. We won’t keep you longer. Let’s get to the shoes.
1. The Luxe-looking Mary Jane Flats
WHAT: J.Crew Factory Velvety Square-toe Mary Jane Flats*
Why we love it: A Mary Jane breaks up the space typically left behind by a ballet flat with that chic strap, which is why it works with more hemlines. It also makes the shoe itself look less slight so it balances with wider leg pants and fuller skirts. In fact, the shape almost mimics a heel from straight on, so everything comes off more dressed up and put together.
This particular, perfectly shaped Mary Jane from J.Crew Factory works with all outfits - formal and casj.
* Gifted
Can you not almost feel how comfy they are through this photo? We could walk in them all day.
Plus, the price is amazing for how luxe they look.
Price: $79.50
WHAT: Margaux The Demi Jane*
Why we love it: Another option in the Mary Jane family. We firmly believe every woman should own a pair of these exact shoes in her favorite color. They’re classic and buttery leather, and even though they’re graceful on an Audrey Hepburn level, they have a molded foot bed for support.
* Gifted
Price: $295
2. The Correct Length Ankle Boots
WHAT: Nisolo Dari Boots*
Ankle boots, when worn correctly, will make every single outfit chicer and more complete. But finding a pair that doesn’t look awkward with the bottom of your jeans is bizarrely difficult. This pair looks so gorgeous with all pants, skirts, and dresses, we bought it in every color Nisolo makes.
In addition to being an all-around gorgeous boot, the block heel is so comfy and stable, we don’t even feel like we’re in heels.
That said, give it a day or so to break in the top of the boot and wear socks or pants that protect your ankle til it stretches a bit. After that … bliss!
Price: $149
3. The Adidas In An Autumnal Color
WHAT: Adidas Samba OG Shoes*
Why we love it: Yes, these shoes are famous. Yes, you’ve seen them a thousand times before. But they’re also a classic, a style that’s so loved, because everyone has realized just how well it works with everything you wear. Obviously it looks great with all jeans, pants, and shorts, but it also balances out your skirts and dresses, so you blend high with low, smart with casual (a key element of looking “styled” and dressing more youthful by the way). The trick is simply to pick a color that speaks to you, so it makes every outfit a little more interesting and not too matchy. We had dreams about the olive stripe when it was out of stock, and now that it’s back, we pounced accordingly.
All of that said, we did have an in-house argument in which our team was divided on whether we should pick THESE* less trendy but unbelievably comfy and sleek Dr. Scholl’s sneaks we write about ALL the time. They come in many accent colors we love, but the green might be our favorite:
Price: $100 for the Adidas, $75 for Dr. Scholl’s
5. The Best Walking Heel In Existence
WHAT: Vivaia Julie Arch Pro Almond-Toe Stress Free Chunky Heels*
You must listen to us when we say to you, your brain will not process this shoe as a heel. This is something else. Something for those of us who will never, ever, on any day choose a pinch of foot pain.
This is a tennis shoe in terms of arch support, stability, cloud-like comfort, and cushioning - a heel we prefer to all our flats and loafers on days we have miles to walk.
We personally chose the black and cream over black or any other solid, because it adds sophistication and sort of crazily matches 92% of what we wear.
They’re the most comfortable, walkable shoes in all existence, and they just happen to be heels, which we all know, look fantastic with clothes. Sigh.
Price: $179
BONUS
The Lug-Sole Loafer* in the most divisive color that happens to make neutral outfits 5x more interesting.
The Leopard Boot* you don’t need but owning it means you can suddenly wear all-black constantly and never look boring. PLUS, they’re beyond comfy.
The Best Boots* our editor-in-chief has ever worn and won’t shut up about.
The Weird Alt To UGGs* we’re very, very into because they look great with clothes but are basically slippers.
And, of course, here are a few photos of how we recently wore these styles:
* Gifted
* Gifted
* Gifted
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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