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When it comes to matters of the wardrobe, there’s nothing quite as disappointing as concocting the perfect outfit only to find that you’re missing one key ingredient: the ideal shoe. Whether a patent loafer or strappy stiletto, footwear can truly make (or break) a look. That’s why we narrowed in on six key styles—the trusty pairs you’ll never go without—everyone should have in their rotation.
6 Shoes for the Perfect Capsule Wardrobe
- The Ballet Flat: Everlane Italian leather Day ballet flats, $140
- The Non-Trendy Sneaker: Adidas Samba vegan shoes, $100
- The Classic Loafer: Gucci 1953 Horsebit loafers, $920
- The Flat Boot: Dr. Martens Jadon leather combat boots, $200
- The Classic Pump: Manolo Blahnik Hangisi 70 satin pumps, $1,195
- The Flat Sandal: Gabriela Hearst Lynn leather caged sandals, $890
While the essential list of shoes may vary depending on personal style, the editors of Vogue agree that the below categories are the shoes that will carry you, literally and metaphorically, everywhere. From casual and cool to elevated and elegant, these styles are necessities for the shoe hoarder and footwear minimalist alike.
At one end of the spectrum, you have sneakers. Streetwear trends have expanded our sneaker options significantly, so we edited down the list to just a few favorites (including Olsen-approved pairs). Somewhere in the middle are the everyday ballet flats—a timeless look that Gabrielle Coco Chanel famously introduced into her own collection in 1959. Since then, this style has been a symbol of elegance. And at the other end of the spectrum are strappy sandals and stilettos—the shoes you wear to dinner and dancing, the Cinderella pair, if you will.
Scroll to see and shop our edit of six shoe staples you’ll wear season after season. If it’s true that good shoes take you to good places, then the below list is sure to get you far.
The Ballet Flat
Between the Sandy Liang satin version and Mansur Gavriel’s classic flat, the ballerina style grounds a look in classic ease. From the Mary Jane iteration to the timeless bow version, these are our favorite ballet flats.
The Non-Trendy Sneaker
Whether you prefer a pristine white sneaker or an easy pair of slip-on Vans, a go-to sneaker will quickly become your wardrobe crutch. An everyday necessity, a polished pair adds an instant cool factor to almost any out.
The Traditional Loafer
The feeling of finding a loafer you love is akin to settling into a good routine—it just works. At the top of our list are Proenza Schouler’s latest loafer iteration and G.H. Bass’ black and white pair.
The Flat Boot
If there’s one type of shoe you’ll certainly walk a mile in, it’s the flat boot. From early fall to late spring, this shoe will serve as a key component to your outfit rotations. Whether you fancy a riding boot or combat style, our selection has one for you.
The Classic Heel
Level up your shoe game with a pair of pumps or stilettos. Strappy or close-toed, the right pair of heels have the power to make you feel like you’re on top of the world. We especially love the playful style of Amina Muaddi’s heels or a pair of Manolo slides.
The Flat Sandal
Warmer temperatures call for breezier sandals, and our edit does just the trick. From gladiators to sportier styles, these vacation-ready shoes are just the trick.
