The right shoe makes a fall outfit, and these affordable fall shoes cover the four trends I keep seeing: ballet flats, loafers, mules and ankle boots. There are 24 pairs and nothing costs more than $300. Vogue's Under-$300 Edit includes a pair of Dôen mules, which shows how far that ceiling goes for shoes if you pick well.
Cute Affordable Fall Shoes Under $300: Flats, Loafers, Mules and Boots
Ballet Flats and Mary Janes
Vogue's Under-$300 Edit puts Dôen's Pica mules inside its ceiling, and that tells you shoes can be a real designer purchase at this number. My own rule is to spend a little more on the shoe you wear most. That is why the first grid is flats and Mary Janes, the category where it is easiest to find cute ballet flats under $100 and the pair worth stretching for.
The group runs from a dark leather bow flat and a black patent Mary Jane pump to a tan satin Mary Jane, a sheepskin flat and a burgundy Mary Jane. A good flat should have a bit of structure at the toe so it holds its shape after a month of wear. I would skip the sheepskin one if you will only wear shoes outside the house.
Loafers and Mules
Loafers are the shoe of the moment, and it is possible to find loafers under $200 that look expensive. The second grid has a penny loafer, a block heel loafer, a croc-embossed brown loafer and a suede loafer in chocolate. The mules are the other half: a chunky black one, a clean everyday one and a metallic gold wedge that is the one statement shoe in the group.
Wear the loafers with a sock if you want the trend, or without one for something quieter. The block heel is the one to pick if you walk a lot, because the heel spreads your weight. I would skip the gold wedge mule if you want a shoe that matches every outfit.
Boots, Booties and One Clog
Affordable boots are the hardest category to get right, because a poor leather shows immediately. The last grid has a sand suede boot, a navy knee high boot, a patent bootie, a grey stretch ankle boot and a pointed brown kitten heel. A sock-style boot with a croc toe and a tan suede clog finish the group.
A knee high boot is the best purchase here if you want one shoe for skirts, trousers and a trench. The suede boot is easy to wear with jeans but needs a protective spray before the first wet day. I would skip the clog if you do not already own socks you like.
Pick One and Wear It Hard
If I could only buy one pair, I would take a black flat or a dark loafer and wear it five days a week. The shoe that gets worn is always better value than the one that sits in the box. Everything on this page is under $300, and plenty of it is far less.
Prices and sizes move quickly, and the sale pairs are final sale, so check the fit notes before you buy.
