13 Pairs Of Shoes Every Feminine Woman Needs

An often overlooked category of the capsule wardrobe, your shoe collection plays an important role in your overall style. While trendy shoes are fun for a while, a solid shoe wardrobe will help you create timeless looks that are perfect for any occasion (running errands, the office, the classroom, etc). 

A carefully curated shoe wardrobe will allow you to put together outfits effortlessly. Ready to see what you need? 

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1. Gym Shoes

Whether you spend every morning on the treadmill, enjoy walking your dog after work, or are ready to add fitness goals to your New Year’s resolutions in 2023, you need cute and comfortable gym shoes. Depending on the intensity of your workout, you may need a specific style of shoe that’s outside of the cute and comfortable zone of footwear. But if your workouts are fairly standard, and you don’t have specified foot needs, these shoes are great options! 

A budget-friendly option is a pair of Nike Trainers. These shoes are only $60 and look adorable with gym clothing. If you’re in the mood to splurge on a gym shoe, this pair of HOKAs ($165) are so cute and comfortable for home workouts, walking, or everyday training. Plus, look at the color combos! 

2. White Sneakers

A good pair of white sneakers will quickly become the most worn and most versatile shoe in your closet. They can be worn with dresses, jeans, and trousers, for office meetings, brunch with the girls, and in the classroom. The nicest thing about the white sneaker is that you can find a pair in any price range and style preference. 

A trendy pair of decently priced white sneakers is the Superga Sneakers ($85), which became popular after being seen on Emily Ratajkowski and Kendall Jenner. If you’d rather save a little more in this area though, the basic white Vans are a great casual option ($55) that never go out of style. You can get these sneakers in slip-ons or with laces, depending on your preference. 

3. Mules

The perfect balance between business and casual wear, the classic mule is a must-have shoe for your wardrobe. Mules have been popular for years, and there are several classic shapes that will be reached for over and over again. Heeled mules, ballet mules, platform mules – there’s a perfect shape and height for every woman! 

If you’re planning to invest in a high-quality mule shoe, we’d recommend the All-Day Heeled Mules ($160) from Anthropologie in either brown or black. If you’d like to try out the style before making a larger commitment, these knit mules from Macy’s ($45) are a great budget-friendly option for a little post-holiday spending! 

4. Ankle Boots

Especially for the fall and winter season, you will walk miles in a good pair of booties. You can wear them with jeans and sweaters, dresses, skirts – just about any cold weather outfit combination. Booties are great in a white, brown, or black, but we’re not opposed to a statement bootie either!

The Steve Madden Moira booties ($130) in black leather are exactly what your outfits are missing! And if you’d like to style them for a bit without the hefty price tag, this pair from Macy’s ($33) has a similar shape and look. 

5. Knee-High Boots

Similarly to owning a great pair of booties, knee-high boots are a feminine necessity in the fall and winter months. Pair them with a mini skirt, dress, or even a pair of leggings to elevate any look. This popular style from Gianni Bini ($198) is a timeless classic if you're ready to splurge, or you can save with this pair by the same designer ($60).

6. Sandals

​A classic shoe for the warmer months, sandals are feminine and comfortable, especially with a good pedicure. When choosing a pair of sandals that you'll still love the following year, choose a classic silhouette that will work with the majority of your summer wear. A slide sandal, like the Tuckernuck leather sandal ($155), will be constantly reached for all season long. A less expensive alternative, in a similar style, is this $39 sandal. 

7. Classic Pumps

A feminine, classy shoe, the pump heel is a must-have shoe for any wardrobe. Whether you only pull them out for date night or wear them often for the office, these are a classic for a reason. When choosing a pair of pumps, there are a few things you’ll want to look out for. First, choose a pair in a height that won’t be a challenge to walk in (we all know our limits!). A one to two inch heel is fairly standard, and won’t give night-club vibes in your afternoon meeting. 

If you’d like to invest in a pair of pumps, the classic Coach pump ($225) is a great option, as they’re timeless and will work for almost any setting. A less expensive option is the faux suede pump from Express ($40) with a similar silhouette but a different price tag!

8. Kitten Heels

Whether they are statement-making or timeless classics, a pair of kitten heels is a must. Some days, classic pumps just aren't practical, but you don't want to compromise on your polished look, and that's where kitten heels come in. While this pair isn't Dior, it still provides an ultra-feminine touch with the bright pink color ($160). However, if you're looking for something neutral in tone that will still show off your feminine side, this pair is your best bet ($62).

9. Espadrilles

Heeled espadrilles are a shoe that will simply never go out of style. They are perfect for spring and summer months when you want to dress up a bit more than what flat sandals provide. Find a pair with dainty, ballet-inspired straps to lean into your feminine side. If you really want to go the extra mile, this floral printed pair is absolutely gorgeous and not overly pricey ($107), or you can stick to the basics with this pair for only $42.

10. Cowboy Boots

Cowboy boots have resurfaced as a trend over the last few years, but come on, these are closet essentials. If you find yourself at a lot of country concerts, state fairs, or simply like to switch up your normal boots for something more exciting, a pair of cowboy boots could be what your closet is lacking. 

Cowboy boots can be expensive, so if you’re looking for a cute pair that won’t break the bank, these Madden Girl boots ($59) from Macy’s are a great choice! Post-holiday spending can also be fun, so add these Free People Dagget Western Boots ($350) to your cart. They’re available in black or brown – perfect for any wardrobe. 

11. Chunky Loafer

The chunky loafer is here to stay…so you’ll need a pair if you don’t already have one. These versatile shoes can be worn casually, to the office, or in the classroom. Pair them with dresses, jeans, trousers, skirts – basically any outfit in your closet missing its final touch. 

An inexpensive pair of chunky loafers will cost around $50-70, like this adorable pair from ASOS ($50). If you want to spend a little more for a nicer pair, the Bass Weejuns Lianna Lug Sole Loafers ($170) from Anthropologie is a great option worth the splurge. 

12. Ballet Flat

A dainty classic, the ballet flat is an essential shoe for all those “I don’t know what to wear” occasions. This shoe can be worn for work, picking up the kids from school, a lunch date – any plans that require a simple yet classy look. A neutral pair in white or black will likely be worn the most, but if you’re adding to your already existing shoe wardrobe, don’t be afraid of a fun pop of color!

The Bernardo Eloise ballet flat ($175) is a great classic option for any of the above events. This shoe is comfortable and adorable, so it’s worth the closet space. If you’re looking for a less pricey alternative, this pair ($24) has perfect quilted detailing and will be worn all the time!

13. Statement Shoe

Now that we’ve covered the basics for everyday wear, you’ll need a fun shoe in any of the above styles to wear for date night, holiday parties, and other festive occasions, where a basic shoe just isn’t enough. This statement shoe needs to catch your eye immediately, so look around until you find something you love. 

If you need a reason to treat yourself to something nice, let this pair of flats ($170) from Anthropologie be it. The perfect date night shoe, these flats have a sparkly bow and come in a rainbow of color options for your perfect fit! Or add a pair of shimmery wrap heels ($138) to your cart for your next event. 

If you want a statement shoe on a budget, you can definitely find what you’re looking for under $50. These velvet heels ($45) from ASOS are simply adorable, and would be the perfect pop of color with your favorite LBD. 

Closing Thoughts

Shoes are meant to be worn. Go check your closet and see what outfit potential you may be missing! 

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