10 types of shoes every woman should have

Few things in life will ever compare to the ecstasy of taking home a brand new pair of shoes and being greeted by the delicious fresh shoe smell as soon as you open the box. Even if you’re more of a “bags gal,” you can’t deny this. There’s a reason why Carrie was so hell-bent on her Manolos, and Cinderella was mad-keen on getting her glass slipper back. Shoes are inexplicably magical.

But as much as I love shoes – I often come across the same problem. I have ton of shoes ,but I always end up wearing the same ones over and over again. Or I will see a super cute pair of shoes, buy them, only to realize they are so hard to style and don’t go with anything in my closet.

So it became my mission to find out what shoes do I actually need? An everday shoe, a going-out shoe, a practical shoe – how many pairs do I need to make sure all my shoe-needs are met?

I’ve gone through all the possible scenarios and here are the 10 must-have shoe styles every woman should have on her roster. Of course there is room for expansion and you don’t need to feel limited to these 10 shoes, but with these styles in your closet you’ll always feel prepared for every possible occasion.

A good pair of heels is a girl’s best friend and is key staple in your footwear collection. Job interview? Girls night out? Date night? Heels can easily step up an outfit and give it that extra oomph it needs.

There are so many styles and variations, it’s not hard to fine one that will match your personality and lifestyle. My go-to choice is a classic, yet modern slingback kitten heel. They’re comfortable, sexy, and understated. If you want more drama and more height, go for a stiletto pump. Versatile, classy, sexy, elegant, powerful… there’s nothing a pair of stilettos can’t do. You can’t go wrong with a classic pair of Louboutins. 

Wedding season or summer date night? You can never go wrong with a pair of minimalist strappy sandals. The fact that they are so versatile is a prime reason why they make my list. Wear them with a cute, summery wrap dress or with a pair of jeans and a cool baby-tee! Opt for color that you know you can incorporate easily into your wardrobe – black, white, or maybe even red!

One last tip: Don’t forget about heel height! While it might be tempting to buy those ultra-high stilletos – think about what you’ll want to wear more than once. Maybe opt for a chunky block heel or a heel with a little less height. But if you’re a queen of the sky-high heel – than go for it!

From beach to city, flat sandals are essential for girls on the go.  A classic pair of Birkenstocks or a pair of simple black flip flops go with pretty much everything, plus they’re comfortable! I personally prefer an easy slip-on sandal in leather or a chunky plateau to have just a little lift.

Loafers have risen above just being your average office shoe. They are another must-have shoe if you’re looking for something that you can wear with more than just one outfit. Wear them to the office or wear them for Sunday brunch – the loafer can easily be dressed up or down to fit your style needs. 

Ballet flats have really taken the spotlight in the last few years – and with good reason! Go for the classic rounded toe – or opt for the more modern square-toe (my personal favorite). Do yours with oversized bows and luxe embellishments this spring, and pair them with cozy leg warmers or edgy knee-high socks.

The “Borrowed from the boys” trend isn’t going anywhere . Start from the feet up with some cool mannish brogues. Pair them with jeans or slacks, you’ll find yourself reaching for these shoes time and time again.

Sleek slip ons are the ultimate on-the-go shoe. Pair them with jeans on the weekend or wear as a more relaxed alternative to heels with a suit at work.

Every well-curated wardrobe should have a pair of OTK boots. Heeled or flat, a bold boot will always make a statement, whether you pair it with dresses, skirts, or jeans. Guaranteed show-stealers!

Flat, heeled, studded, velvet… a girl can never have too many ankle boots! They’re the quintessential fall/spring shoe, and if you invest in a good leather pair, they’ll last you forever. Here’s our pick of spring’s best styles, perfect for tricky transitional weather.

Trainers aren’t just for the gym. Now a fashion editor-approved staple, sneakers should be one of the cornerstones of your footwear collection: we think a pair of clean white ones are essential. If you want to try out a fresh brand that isn’t Nike or Off-White, check out D.A.T.E. sneakers.

Original text: Steph King

Updated text and content: Emma Trimboli