Fall shoes styles I love

Besides skincare, shoes are probably the thing that I am a professional collector of. I have more shoes than I honestly know what to do with, especially in the last few months of working from home. And while my shoe purchases have definitely fizzled during the “pandemic times,” as I am now (weirdly? accurately? unclear…) hearing people refer to our present reality, my shoe browsing has not.

Chris used to have a rule for my shoe shopping addiction – one pair in means one pair out. This was actually a pretty great rule to live by, and I have found that there is easily a pair of shoes buried somewhere in the depths of my closet that I don’t actually use or wear at all, that I am ready to part with. When we moved into our current apartment, I easily cleared and donated thirty pairs of shoes from my closet. And now I have this cute little display rack in our spare bedroom, where I can showcase the shoes that I use most often, which has truly helped me limit the amount of shoes I purchase, because I can actually see what I have.

While I love summer simply for the fact that my life on the shore is shoes- optional, I do love Fall and Spring shoes, because they are just the most comfortable. I have extremely large calves, and taller boots have always made my feet and legs feel claustrophobic, so that mid-range weather is really my ideal for my style. I live for a good bootie – they are just so versatile.

There are so many options for shoes when the weather changes, and I have definitely had my eye on a couple of pairs for this season. I am trying to be realistic about what I will actually wear, but I don’t think that will ever stop me from shopping completely. It’s possible, but food and clothes feel like all we have to be excited about these day beyond a binge-worthy show or a good book.

You don’t have to go all out and buy a pair of shoes for every outfit. There are a couple of great staple shoes that can easily rotate as staples in your wardrobe for the next few months, and last you through the Spring – who knows where we will be then. Here are my 5 styles of shoes I love for Fall:

There’s nothing like a good loafer – this is a lesson I really didn’t learn until I was older. Loafers always felt like a mature shoe for me – something a suburban mom wore to pick up her kids from lacrosse practice. But I have found that they are really the shoe that goes with everything, and are easily dressed up or down. Living in the City, where walking in a part of daily life (or used to be), having a versatile pair of flats is critical. Perfect for work, perfect for errands, perfect for dinner out – I honestly wear mine everywhere.

I love a pop of red to be paired with black or camel sweaters and jeans – a little something to make you stand out. I also find that you cannot go wrong with a super classic style, and recently invested in this gorgeous pair of Gucci loafers that feel like butter on my feet, but a great affordable option is these black slide loafers which are a great, comfortable and more affordable option that go with everything. And I love a great neutral leopard with a pointed toe to really elongate the leg. This pair from Madewell is just a really great option to have in my closet.

You will never ever regret a sneaker purchase, and that is just the truth. I definitely have an affinity for a classic white sneaker, because they just go with absolutely everything and give a nice edge to any outfit, even for work. Because, pre-pandemic, my job requires me on my feet all day, sneakers are the shoes I grab for most often. And I’ve learned the power of a investing in your footwear when it comes to comfort. These cute colorblock sneakers are a great budget-friendly option if you really don’t want to spend a lot, but these leopard detailed sneakers have been on my wishlist for forever. I also own a pair of Golden Goose sneakers, and they truly live up to the influencer hype. They are the most supportive sneaker I own, and I would not hesitate to buy another pair (you can always wait to find them on a holiday sale).

If you buy one shoe for Fall, this is it. A staple in any winter wardrobe, a great pair of low-heeled booties that let you walk around the City, but can bring you right into dinner. I don’t think you can ever go wrong with a pair of pointed-toe Chelsea boots, and I have loved my pair of Marc Fischer booties for years; this pair from Zara is just a slightly elevated version that’s a mutli-seasonal staple.

If you’re looking for a little more edge, I think this pair from Everlane (made from recycled materials) is a great option for day-to-night, and have a great comfort factor with a knit material being the base of the shoe. Ready to rock this year’s square-toed style? This pair from Zara with a front zipper and block-heel is a dream.

Another one of the big Fall/Winter shoe trends are combat boots. I got a pair last year, and they are certainly a staple with a pair of jeans or paired with a midi dress. This season, I have my eyes on this pair of white combat boots from Sam Edelman, and might have to cave soon, as I can already visualize my future outfits. If you want something a bit more trendy, this pair from Zara have a higher cut on the leg, and use a side-zipper to make getting in and out of them much easier. The pair I own are from Zara, and I am so impressed by the quality of their shoes for what you pay.

If you’re looking for something more durable for Fall, I know these shoes are a cult-favorite pair that are extremely warm and durable for winter with their shearling-lined insides. I have a pair very similar, and wear them all the time in colder weather. And for a great every day pair, I think this pair of lace-ups from Madewell is super classic, and won’t ever go out of style.

The last must-have style is a great versatile heeled bootie. This pair of black suede booties from Sam Edelman are classics with a dress or a pair of jeans. To me, neutrals extend fair beyond black, brown and solids – prints like leopard, camouflage and snakeskin really go with everything and will surprise you how versatile they are, since you can wear with black, brown or any other color with clashing. I have and love this calf-hair leopard pair, and just ordered this snakeskin pair from J.Crew – they are both excellent quality, but I always order a half-size up.

Always buy what works for your style, price point, and need. You don’t want to own shoes you aren’t going to wear. As pretty as they are to look at, they take up a lot of space us city folks can’t afford to spare. I find that investing in quality shoes are an investment in comfort and timelessness – you do get what you pay for. That being said, I know that investing in shoes is not for everyone, and I think you can get a great pair at any price. Let me know what you love below, or what trends you’re looking for for Fall and Winter.