Shoes
Shoes
Weather Boots
Waterproof boots for rain, slush and muddy walks that still look good with the rest of your outfit.
The Cool-Girl Wedge
Wedge sneakers in the Isabel Marant style, from suede high tops to sporty Speedcats. For anyone who wants a little extra height in an easy shoe.
Aeyde Sizing: The Shoes That Run Narrow
Aeyde sizing runs narrow, so test flats, slingbacks, loafers and pumps for pinching at the strap, heel and toes. I compare the silhouettes by fit, using the Betty ballet flat as the baseline for everything narrower.
Adidas x Wales Bonner
Grace Wales Bonner launched her own label in London in 2014, straight out of Central Saint Martins, and began collaborating with Adidas Originals in 2020. That partnership took the archival Samba, a 1949 football shoe, and reworked it season after season in crochet, pony hair and metallic leather until Lyst named it 2023's shoe of the year.
Magda Butrym Dresses: Rosette Midis, Blazers and Shoes
Magda Butrym, born in Zabrze, Poland, worked for years as a stylist and ran a short-lived earlier label, Portofino, before launching her eponymous house in Warsaw in 2014. The label built its identity by working directly with Polish artisans, turning regional hand-knitted lace and hand-plaited leatherwork into signatures rather than trims.
Black Suede Studio Shoes: Montreal Loafers, Boots and Mules
Kris Avakian launched Black Suede Studio out of Montreal in 2018, after years spent inside his family's accessories manufacturing business, including a stint running quality control at their factory in Qingdao, China. The label's whole premise was closing a gap he saw in footwear: shoes with real quality and comfort at a level nobody else was hitting, a conviction strong enough that he later moved production to Brazil to get the craftsmanship right.
Khaite Shoes, Bags and Accessories: Leather Pumps and Sandals
Catherine Holstein launched Khaite in New York in 2016 with backing from Adam Pritzker's Assembled Brands, after a first eponymous label she started as a Parsons student closed in the 2008 financial crisis and a five-year run designing for Gap, Vera Wang and The Elder Statesman taught her the parts of the business she'd missed the first time. The label opened on denim and cashmere knitwear before adding runway shows in 2019 and an in-house bags and footwear line the same season, and Holstein still designs under a name modeled on the Greek word for long, flowing hair.
Maison Margiela Tabi Dupe: Split-Toe Flats, Boots and Mary Janes From Other Labels
A Maison Margiela Tabi dupe edit of split-toe flats, boots, Mary Janes, mules, sneakers and socks from other labels that share the split toe. I explain where the original came from and what I would check before choosing a pair.
Velvet flats: The Albert slipper leaves the house
Velvet flats move between ballet shapes, Mary Janes, pointed toes, loafers and mules, with the Albert slipper's history in view. I would let the shape set the mood and save the velvet for a day that wants a little texture.
New Balance 530: The 1992 Runner That Became Everyone's Daily Sneaker
The New Balance 530 started in 1992 as a performance running shoe with ABZORB cushioning in the heel, and it came back as an everyday sneaker. This edit sorts the 530 by colourway from light to dark.
Chanel Boots: Combat, Chelsea and Pearl Pairs, Pre-Owned and One at a Time
A look at Chanel boots, from lace up combat pairs to Chelsea, moto and pearl heeled styles. Every pair is pre-owned, so this edit explains the house codes behind them and how to check a single size.
Tod's Shoes and Bags: Gommino, Ankle Boots and Handheld Styles
Tod's traces to a family shoemaking workshop Filippo Della Valle ran in Italy's Marche region, expanded by his grandson Diego Della Valle, who introduced the pebbled-sole Gommino loafer in 1979. This edit moves from boots through structured and slouchy bags to the Gommino family that made the brand's name.
Best Loafers: Penny, Lug Sole and Sleek Leather Styles
The best loafers this season range from classic penny styles to chunky lug soles and sleek leather silhouettes. I picked pairs from Santoni, Dior, Khaite and Versace to cover each.
Standing All Day Shoes
Comfort without the orthopaedic tell
Sportswear Style: How Sport Left the Gym for Polos and Tanks
Sportswear style has moved on from athleisure and now borrows from actual sports. I look at the polos and rib tanks that carry it, from Burberry, Malbon and rag & bone.
Someone Else's Closet: A Personal Edit of Shoes, Bags and Trousers
The personal edit has replaced the trend report as the way people find clothes, because a real wardrobe has logic that a trend list never does. What makes one work is inconsistency: the odd combinations nobody would put in a lookbook. This edit is built to be read as a closet rather than as a category page.
Penny Loafers for Men: Weejuns, Boat Shoes and Suede Loafers
This penny loafer edit covers Bass Weejuns, boat shoes and suede loafers, the weekend prep shoe canon. I picked pairs from Cole Haan, Sperry and Dr Martens.
Pump Edit: Leather, Satin and Slingback Heels I Would Wear Twice
These are the pumps I would actually wear twice, in leather and patent, satin, suede and mesh. I also include slingback and pointed styles.
Luxury Sandal Edit
Luxury sandals at the quiet end of the spectrum are flats, thongs and heels under three inches from Totême, Khaite, The Row and Celine. I kept to the houses that do restraint well.
Loafers: The Comfort Test
Loafers are most comfortable with a stacked or block heel, which spreads load better than a stiletto. I go through the comfort rules that change what you buy, starting with the heel.
How to Wear Red Accessories
Wear red accessories by letting one bright bag or pair of shoes carry the whole outfit against black and ivory basics. I go through red bags, red shoes and the neutrals that set them off.
Chelsea Boots for Women: Lug Sole, Pull-On and Leather Pairs
A familiar ankle boot that brings a grounded finish to dresses, denim, and tailoring.
Best Mules For Women
The best mules for women come in slides, shearling styles and wedge heels, and Gucci is where I start. I make the case for the backless shoe, then go through the leather pairs.
Best Designer Sandals: Flat Leather and Heeled Picks to Buy Now
The best designer sandals to buy now include flat leather styles and heeled sandals, with Amanu Studio among the labels. I go through the flat leather sandals first, then the heeled ones.