Like any wardrobe accessory, should suit you, your lifestyle, and your clothing. These are the main keys to building a truly sensible shoe wardrobe.
There are so many shoe styles we love to put on our feet: loafers and brogues, military boots, ankle, calf and knee-length boots, pumps, peep toes, sandals, slides, sneakers, thongs, mules, clogs, gladiators, espadrilles, ballet flats and Mary Janes just to name a few!
Following on from Emmy’s fabulous shoes she picked up recently in Paris from the brand Miista – how divine are they?! There’s nothing quite like finding a unique pair of shoes while travelling. They instantly become more than just footwear; they’re little souvenirs that carry memories and stories with them every time you wear them.
Mules, for example, come in chunky, heavy styles. In these cases, it’s worth considering the balance and scale between your hemline width, fabric weight, and the shoe itself. Skinny trousers, slim dresses or skirts generally look better paired with a sleek mule that has a finer heel. Likewise, a chunky, heavy mule works beautifully with wide-leg trousers, fuller skirts, or dresses. The same goes for white or bright mules, which naturally advance and can appear larger on the foot.
Keep in mind the mule’s vamp (where the shoe covers the foot) is high, meaning most of the foot is concealed. A high vamp can visually shorten the leg, especially if you’re petite (under 5’4” or 162cm). Flats can exaggerate this effect even more. That’s why skin-tone mules are a fantastic choice for petites, as are shades that blend seamlessly with your hemline.
Clogs are another closed-toe, backless option, similar to the mule. The difference? Clogs usually have a platform sole, making them heavier and chunkier (often with that classic thick wooden base), and offering zero back support, just like a mule.
Then there’s the slide a backless, open-toed shoe that’s super easy to slip on and off. Slides tend to be more casual and feature multiple or single straps that run across the top of the foot, making them a high-vamp style too. Those straps might be thick, thin, braided, woven, knotted or twisted, covering just a small section of the foot or all the way up to the ankle.
