I recently did a closet cleanout to streamline the pieces in my wardrobe and get rid of the items that have been sitting there, unworn and collecting dust, and you know what I realized? All of my shoes with sky-high heels or the ones that lead to blisters an hour in had to go. The truth is I never end up wearing them—or if I do, I immediately regret it once I leave the house—and I’m not willing to waste any precious closet space on any shoes I don’t love or want to wear on the regular.
If you similarly have zero tolerance for uncomfortable shoes, I’ve put together a handy guide of the styles to wear instead. These are shoes you’ll spot on the street style scene and Who What Wear editors and that are endorsed by all of the coolest fashion girls, so they’re comfortable, yes, but equally important, they are also super stylish. Ahead, see eight cool shoe trends that you won’t regret investing in.
"PYRAMID" HEELS
Get ready to see pyramid heels everywhere—a new shape we're seeing from designer Amina Muaddi. The heel is flared at the bottom, and the sturdier silhouette lends more comfort than traditional stilettos.
NOUVEAU SPORT SANDALS
You can bet that nouveau sport sandals will be the next "ugly" shoes you'll see fashion girls wearing everywhere. The styles were all over the S/S 19 runways, and I'm betting they'll be big next spring.
CHUNKY SNEAKERS
When it comes to sneakers this fall, the chunkier the better—good news for anyone who wants to swap out their heels.
KITTEN HEELS
Kitten heels took over the fashion world last year and show no signs of slowing down. The lower-than-standard height makes them much more comfortable to walk in than your everyday heels.
BLOCK HEELS
You'll be hard-pressed to find many women in the fashion world who don't own block heels. At times both comfortable and stylish, they're the perfect shoes for anyone who wants heels they can wear all day.
LOAFERS
A classic that deserves a place in any closet, loafers are a seasonless staple and perfect for getting around a city in.
LOW-HEEL BOOTS
Whether you're wearing ankle boots or a taller style, look for low heels. That can mean anything from kitten heels to a block style.
LEATHER FLATS
An essential to pack on any summer vacation, leather flats are the perfect shoes to pair with printed dresses and swimsuits.
Next: 23 investment pieces our editors are buying now.
-
My Friend Wants to Elevate Her Wardrobe—I Sent Her These 31 Nordstrom Fall Sale FindsAll have closet-staple status.
-
I'm Forever Loyal to a Chic Black Shoe Style—5 Standout Picks I'm Eyeing Right NowIncredibly cool *and* comfortable.
-
From L.A. to Paris, It Girls Are Swapping Their Ballet Flats for This Heeled AltSlip into sophistication.
-
I Live in Comfortable Yet Chic Shoes—These 30 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks Have My AttentionYou'll be wearing these all year long.
-
It's Officially a Slingback Summer—7 Styles That Will Elevate Your OutfitsAnd make them look more expensive.
-
I Read 300+ Shoe Reviews on Nordstrom—These 20 Styles Are Worth Your TimeYour definitive list.
-
I Can't Believe I'm Saying This, But I Think Wedges Might Be Cool AgainBring on the wedge comeback.
-
I'm Picky About Comfortable Shoes, and These Chic Wide-Width Pairs Pass My TestThese shoes *are* meant for walking.
