A Guys and Girls Primer on the Absolute Shoe Essentials

A Guys and Girls Primer on the Absolute Shoe Essentials

We could wax poetic on the wonders of the shoe world for days at a time, but the truth is that while many shoes are decorative wonders with features galore, nine times out of ten you’re going to stick to the shoes that you can wear day in, day out.

There are the shoes you’d like to have in your closet, and then there are the shoes you have to have. We’re breaking down the fundamental essentials every man and woman should have in their closet for a workable, fashionable wardrobe.

The Work Shoe

The office is no place to experiment with the season’s wildest trends, but that doesn’t mean that your work attire needs to be lackluster. Your put-together appearance starts from the ground up, so choose a work shoe in black or brown leather that looks good with everything and wears well with age.

Guys: A cognac-brown wingtip oxford looks smart with everything from suits to casual Friday chinos.

Girls: Black pointed-toe pumps finish off pant suits, pencil skirts and sheath dresses alike.

The Sneaker

Sneakers are a veritable obsession for many people, and with so many groundbreaking styles available it’s easy to see why. But no matter how many pairs of designer-collab kicks and high-performance athletic shoes you buy, you’ll always come back to a pair of basic sneakers that go with everything.

Guys: Try a leather low-top in an earthy color palette with your jeans and T-shirts.

Girls: White canvas plimsolls are always in style, and they look great with a little bit of scuffing.

The Knockaround Boot

Of all your shoes, these are probably the one’s you’ll reach for the most, so make them count. For casual wear and dressed-up occasions, a pair of hardy leather ankle boots will never steer you wrong.

Guys: Lug soles, thick laces and tough leather make a work boot any man’s best friend.

Girls: Sleek, classic Chelsea boots in black give any look a polished appearance—we love them with a turtleneck and mini skirt.

The Sandal

Hot weather lets you break free of your usual boots and sweaters and flash a little skin, rendering a pair of open-air sandals a necessity and a joy to wear. They should be high-quality and versatile to make sure you get the most out of your purchase.

Guys: Step away from the flip-flops. A leather sandal with a secure back strap is more comfortable and sophisticated, anyway.

Girls: Gladiator sandals have transcended trend and become classic. Pick an earth tone and wear them to death in the hot sun.

These shoes might not qualify as “statement” footwear, but investing in quality basics speaks volumes about you. Fill out your foundation repertoire with these standby shoes.

For every day and every occasion, these basic shoes will see you through.

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