I Love Designer Shoes, But My Wallet Doesn't—20 High-Street Pairs That Wowed Me

I think it’s important to be picky about high-street shoes. The undeniable fact is that better-quality shoes last longer, generally feel more comfortable and tend to look better. Really cheap shoes are most likely to be poorly manufactured, prone to falling apart and lacking in the important details that make a design look flattering and elegant: one of my pet peeves about some high-street shoes is that the toes look like they turn up at the end. It’s a dead giveaway. There is simply no point in spending money on affordable footwear that doesn’t last or feel good to wear, but that’s not to say the holy grail of sandals, pumps and more cannot be found with a little research.
I’m aware that not everyone is willing or able to save up for pricey shoes that you get mended by a cobbler on repeat and that sometimes the easiest way to get an entirely new look and revitalise your old clothes is to buy affordable, stylish shoes. So I’m a pretty reliable (read: fussy) source if you want quality footwear that doesn’t cost a fortune. The affordable footwear selections on offer these days are one hundred times better than a few years ago—you’ll find plenty of real leather, heaps of flats and plenty of classic designs that are less about throwaway fashion moments and more about investment styles you can wear on repeat for many seasons to come.
Marks and Spencers has become quite the destination for wallet-friendly footwear (not to mention I’m a big fan of their wider fittings), but I’m also now partial to Charles & Keith for more directional designs, COS and Arket for minimalistic creations that look super-premium, and Zara for anything fancy like sleek ballet flats or statement heels. Keep scrolling to see the edit that lives up to my high standards!
Shop the best high-street shoes:
From the elegant design to the leather fabric, H&M has done seriously well with this pair.
Pair these deep brown croc effect sandals with cream jeans or a wafty skirt.
Cream shades instantly elevate any piece beyond its price tag.
If you're looking for something more interesting, look to these bold buckle flats.
M&S is welcoming in the sunshine with these striking mules.
The mule silhouette and subtle buckle detail give a particular 90s feel to this pair.
All about eye-catching footwear? These should be on your radar.
Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. She joined in 2015 when she launched the UK sister site following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine as fashion news and features editor. With experience in print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 18 years of experience as a journalist, editor and content strategist. Her opinion has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com and she is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits.
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