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Any lifestyle that involves work and play demands a dynamic shoe rotation, which is why it’s imperative to front-load your lineup with the most comfortable shoes that go with everything. Shoes are often the most-worn investment pieces in your wardrobe, so there’s no use owning hundreds of pairs for every other outfit combo — unless you’re Carrie Bradshaw, who’s New York City apartment doesn’t necessary replicate reality, as most of us don’t have all that closet space to spare. Curating your selection of go-to, versatile shoes that go with everything will save you lots of time getting dressed and money spent on unnecessary additions in the long run, but you don’t need to overthink it.
Much like fashion, there are are never strict styling rules to adhere to. Take the TikTok-viral “Wrong Shoe Theory,” for example, which was coined last summer by stylist Allison Bornstein. She makes the case for polishing off an outfit with a shoe that wouldn’t seemingly belong, like a flip flop with a trouser, a cowboy boot with a little black dress, or heels with sweats, à la Sarah Jessica Parker (the real-life Carrie Bradshaw). The point here is that this unexpected styling instantly infuses authentic intrigue through your own unique POV. “A shoe can really make or break your look,” says Bornstein on TikTok, “so sometimes the obvious shoe can actually make your looks feel expected and maybe even a little bit boring.”
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This strategy opens the floodgates for boundless outfit variations that allow you to play with trends without overhauling your entire aesthetic. Consider last summer’s adidas Samba shoe trend where everyone and their mother began styling the vintage soccer shoe as a stand-in for loafers in workwear ensembles. Bold loafers, along with other traditional dress shoes like Mary Janes and ballet flats, have now taken the place of a walking shoe in casual contexts, whether paired with denim cut-offs or even unassuming track pants (another outfit formula that’s been quietly trending on TikTok).
The “Wrong Shoe Theory” has jumped from your phone screen and onto high-fashion runways, too. February’s London Fashion Week was a comprehensive case study: Simone Rocha’s runway featured a bejeweled Crocs collaboration styled alongside feminine corsets and gauzy fabrics, Susan Fang dressed models in frilly chiffon with bold Nike sneakers, and Roksanda showed elegant, draping gowns grounded in none other than podiatrist-recommend Fitflops clogs and thongs sandals with monochromatic socks.
While not every shoe applies to every single occasion — maybe skip the sneakers when you’re heading to a black tie wedding — there’s plenty of room to play, and you no longer have to sacrifice essential comfort for style. Below, we’ve compiled a winning guide to help you narrow down the perfect shoe (or two) to complete your summer footwear rotation, along with tips to consider as you hunt down a style that’ll compliment a wardrobe’s worth of outfits.
White Sneakers
White sneakers can vary in a wide range of silhouettes, but they’re your best bet for nailing down a daily shoe that grants you performance-level comfort and support in a boundlessly versatile neutral color. You can opt for a minimal leather style, like adidas Handball Spezial shoes or Cariuma Oca Low sneakers, which read as low-profile “quiet luxury” touches alongside relaxed baggy jeans or more tailored trousers. Or, you can lean into the sneaker’s natural home in street style with a sleek, Y2K-inspired Nike running shoe that’ll bring a sporty edge to pairings like summer dresses or Canadian tuxedos. And, if you’re still missing the heel of a dress shoe, you can always lean on white platform sneakers, like editor-approved adidas Sambae shoes, to give you a boost.
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Platform Sandals
For petite statures or heel lovers who look for a boost in every shoe (this writer included), an easy platform sandal puts an elevated spin on your summer slides. While the bold silhouette may seem intimidating for long days on your feet, platform sandals don’t have a deep heel-to-toe drop like wedge sandals or heels, which allows for more stability, particularly if you’re walking on grass or cobblestone. For daily wear, you’ll want to shop styles that feature a plush cushioning and a supportive footbed, then consider a colorway that matches your wardrobe and can transition from day to night.
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Minimalist Flats
Today’s trends are positioning low-profile flats as a chic swap for typical footwear pairings. Think: bow-topped balletcore flats with denim shorts rather than a sandal, with trousers in place of a loafer, or even worn to dress up athleisure pieces like track pants or tennis skirts. Doll-like footwear that celebrates girlish stylings (à la Sandy Liang) is dominating fashion through summer, though the silhouettes are hardly fleeting — these trends are imagined through timeless Mary Jane-strapped shoes, simple and smooth leather uppers, or vintage-inspired cap-toe colorblocking. They’re often seen in street style with likely pairings of knee-high socks and intricate hosiery, and continue to release in contemporary twists that prioritize comfort, featuring supple uppers that front mirror metallic finishes, stretchy recycled textiles, or snug sock-like styles in leather.
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Loafers
The magic of a trusty leather loafer is that it can read a myriad of ways depending on the ensemble, and naturally boasts reliable traction and durability. Of course, it looks smart and sophisticated with office-appropriate ensembles, be it the anchor to a tailored suit or a posh dress that means business. However, rugged lugs and platform soles can also send an outfit to the other side of the style spectrum — just arrange a pair of chunky loafers with sheer socks and a corresponding leather jacket up top and you’ve instantly entered edgy, rocker-chic territory. Loafers can also bring a particular polishing touch to even the most relaxed, throw-on-and-go outfits: Kendall Jenner recently wore her pair as the sole accessory alongside a simple gingham sundress, Katie Holmes styled Gucci Horsebit Loafers with a trench coat and streamlined straight-leg jeans, all while Hailey Bieber regularly wears driving loafers as walking shoes with white crew socks and short hemlines.
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Wedges
Swap painful pumps for easy-breezy wedge sandals that offer unique arch support and reliable stability on all kinds of outdoor terrain. The style’s traditional natural textures in beige, tan, or brown hues make them easy to pair with any color of the rainbow, while also fronting a more relaxed summer vibe, no matter the heel height. Wedge sandals are chic for weddings, garden parties, brunch dates, or sunny getaways when comfort is essential for long days of walking, and they come in a variety of styles to play into your POV. Plus, they can transition to fall when the weather hasn’t yet reached cold territory.
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Classic Pumps
If Carrie Bradshaw taught us anything — there’s no outfit unworthy of a pump. It’s a timeless and boundlessly versatile style that effectively polishes off dressy ensembles, or visually elevates casual pairings like denim jeans or cargo pants. Ask any stylist, and they’ll tell you that classic pumps in neutral colors are absolute wardrobe essentials. Take Zendaya for example, who donned the exact same white Christian Louboutin So Kate Pumps to practically every appearance during the “Challengers” movie press tour, even with sporty-prep tenniscore outfits.
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What to Consider When Looking for Shoes That Go With Everything
- Hidden comfort features: First and foremost, comfort inherently goes with everything. The sole purpose of a shoe is to take you from point A to point B with healthy foot support, so the key is to find a pair that delivers on cushioning, arch support, and other essential features for different foot concerns that are seemingly hidden behind a stylish design. Consider brands like Cariuma, Teva, Dr. Scholl’s, Crocs, and Rothy’s that prioritize comfort first, and also happen to offer fashionable designs with trendy appeal.
- Neutral colors: Neutrals are an obvious pointer, however they may require some forethought in terms of applying them to correct shoe style. For instance, a nude pump can carry your outfits for decades on end, whereas a similar beige sneaker may be a trickier shoe to style. Consider choosing a colorway that feels natural to the shoe and your wardrobe’s color palette, such as a classic white sneaker, black strappy sandal, or sand-toned wedge sandal.
- Timeless silhouettes: Shoe trends come and go, but there are specific styles that will likely never leave our feet. For instance, Mary Jane shoes, with deep roots over 100 years, have never been more in fashion for summer, while retro sneakers and running shoes have been dominating sneaker trends for nearly a decade in varying silhouettes. These stand as the most versatile shoes you can own for many years of mileage, and they’ll especially come in handy when older eras reemerge in trend cycles — offering you the option to hop on the hype through your outfit or hold true to the authenticity of the shoe.
- Versatile prints: Prints are far more versatile than you might expect. Similar to the “Wrong Shoe Theory,” a pop of animal print or floral patterns can invite unexpected intrigue and visual texture, resulting in an ensemble that looks expertly curated. When selecting a printed shoe, consider the aforementioned tips to ground it in versatility, such as neutral colors and timeless silhouettes. This may appear as a leopard print ballet flat, a daisy-adorned mule, or a houndstooth loafer. Each can be dressed up or down and infuse unique flair, no matter the occasion.
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Meet the Author
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes and edits shopping content on the best-rated footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Olivia received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. She regularly reports on shoppable footwear trends that appear across runways, red carpets, celebrity street style, and TikTok FYP’s.
