These are the 5 must-have shoes that no closet should be without. If you’re missing one of these wardrobe staples, don’t wait another day. You’ll gain more versatility from all the clothes and accessories in your closet if you have these 5 pairs of shoes at your fingertips.
A Black Pump
Every woman needs a classic black pump. You’ll get the more mileage than you ever dreamed possible from this one closet basic. Go for a stacked or kitten heel for the most comfort and versatility. If you can only afford to buy one pair of high-end shoes, splurge on a great pair of black pumps, but remember not to wear your new Guccis or Manolos to an outdoor event unless you’re ready to aerate the lawn!
Taran’s Picks:
Be the center of attention in the gorgeous Meira classic pumps from Anne Klein. Patent leather croc-look upper in a classic pump style with a round toe. Stitched border around collar. Leather lining, lightly cushioned insole, dress style midsole, smooth leather outsole. 3 1/4 inch heel. Made in Italy.
The Just Cavalli peep toe platform pumps put a new twist on the traditional pump style. Textured leather upper in a dress platform pump Mary Jane style with a pointed peep toe. Pretty patent leather strap across midfoot with adjustable buckle for great fit. Patent leather platform on forefoot. Smooth lining, slightly contoured insole. Dress style midsole, smooth leather outsole. 4 1/2 inch heel.
Pair these Betsey Johnson Nyla dress loafers with a pretty skirt or dress slacks. Patent leather upper in a slip-on dress pump style with a pointed toe. Oversized metallic button accent adds dramatic flair at the vamp. Faux leather lining with cushioned insole. Dress-style midsole, smooth outsole with 3 1/2 inch metallic heel.
Ignite your look with these vintage-inspired charles by CHARLES DAVID Spark pumps. Leather upper in a classic dress pump style with a round toe. Pretty pleating accents add elegant feminine detail at the softly scooped vamp. Smooth lining and cushioning insole, smooth outsole. 3 inch leather-wrapped heel.
The Naturalizer Magee dress pumps are classic and perfectly tailored. Suede upper in a slip-on dress pump style with a round toe. Feminine silhouette, contrast piping around collar adds the finishing touch. Smooth lining, cushioned insole. Non-slip outsole. 2 1/2 inch tapered heel.
A Red Shoe
Whether it’s a red sling-back or a red driving loafer, every girl must own (at least one pair of) red shoes. Red shoes add spice and flair to any outfit. Amp up your dark-wash jeans, pair with a sexy pencil skirt, wear red shoes to make your hot date even hotter—and don’t forget that red shoes are fine in the workplace, even for the most traditional of settings. Red shoes go anywhere! I promise you, you’ll never have more people stop you and comment on your outfit than when you’re sporting a great pair of red shoes.
Taran’s Picks:
Stand tall and confident in these pristine Charles David Andria pumps. Sumptuously soft suede upper in a modern Mary Jane platform dress pump style with a round toe. A 3/4 inch stacked platform midsole and softly scooped vamp create a stunning feminine silhouette. A delicate patent leather adjustable buckle closure instep strap secures precise fit. Leather lining and cushioning insole, flat traction leather outsole. 3 inch patent wrapped heel.
Add an air of mystery with the modern Chad slip ons by Donald J Pliner. Croc embossed shiny patent leather upper in a chic modern slip-on style with a pointed toe. Asymmetrical v-cut collar features an elasticized fabric side gore and delicate piping trim. Soft leather lining and cushioning insole leather outsole with rubber inlay at forefoot. 3 inch brushed metal logo embossed heel. Made in Italy.
Lead the pack in ultimate class when you wear the beautiful Jennie dress boots from Calvin Klein. Smooth leather upper in a dress boot style with a softly pointed toe. Sleek boot silhouette, zipper up back of boot with leather zipper pull with single metal rivet. Smooth lining, cushioned insole, 1/2 raised midsole, smooth traction outsole. 4 inch stacked wooden heel.
Step into a modern silhouette with these fabulously smooth and unique CNC Costume National wedges. Sumptuously soft leather upper in a dress wedge slingback sandal style with a round open toe. A wide wrap scoop vamp features a center T-strap loop connecting to a slingback leather heel and adjustable buckle strap. Soft leather lining and cushioned logo footbed, smooth leather outsole. 4 1/2 inch contemporary faceted wedge heel. Made in Italy.
The versatile Naturalizer Landry slip-on flats are just right for work and play. Patent or smooth leather upper in a casual flat style with a round toe. Pleated detail on vamp. Cushioned insole, non-slip outsole. 1 inch low heel.
Animal-Print Heel
Think of animal-print shoes—including snakeskin, leopard print, zebra print, or giraffe haircalf—like neutral shoes, only way more chic! Animal print goes with everything and kicks up an outfit like nothing else. You can take a basic black sheath dress and turn it into a “wow” dress with a great pair of safari-inspired pumps. Go with a kitten heel or higher.
Taran’s Picks:
Boost your flavor with Paprika, a fantastic slingback peep-toe pump from Guess. Paprika features a stunning multi-natural snakeskin printed leather upper, an open toe, elasticized slingback, and 4 inch stacked natural wooden heel.
Radiate confidence in these impressive Sam Edelman Hadley pumps. Snake-embossed leather upper in a slip-on dress pump style with a square toe. A contrasting snake-embossed leather and metal square buckle embellishment creates a luxe finish at the vamp. Smooth lining and cushioning insole, traction outsole. 1 1/2 inch leather-wrapped kitten heel.
Max out on pizzazz in these exotic, flirty Maxine pumps. Leopard-print pony hair, croc-embossed leather or tumbled leather upper in a dress pump style with a square peep toe. Wide, contrasting leather vamp strap weaves through an oversized, metallic oval ornament and wraps over a 1/2 inch platform midsole. Soft lining and cushioned insole. Chunky 2 inch heel. Made in Brazil.
Go for a smokin' look with the heat-seeking Forum2 pumps from Cindy Says. Leather or patent leather upper in a dress pump style with a pointed toe. Open inner arch, V-cut vamp, animal print haircalf at heel. Dress style midsole, decorative topstitching around toe. Leather outsole, 3 1/4 inch stacked wooden heel.
Metallic details add an extra luxe finish to these classy Anne Klein New York Artemist pumps. Smooth leather upper in a dress pump style with a round toe. A stitched metallic toe overlay and matching delicate metallic bow add exquisite detail at the softly scooped vamp. Soft leather lining and cushioning footbed, flat traction leather outsole. 2 3/4 inch metallic leather wrapped kitten heel. Made in Brazil.
Ballet Flat
Ballet flats are timeless, seen on the feet of super-stylish icons like Audrey Hepburn and Liza Minnelli to present-day celebs like Katie Holmes, Reese Witherspoon and Lindsay Lohan. Ballet flats go with you anywhere. They’re the perfect shoe for traveling; comfy enough for walking-tours in Europe—and no worries about your stiletto heels getting stuck between the cobblestones! Ballet flats also go with everything: Capris and clamdiggers, walking or Bermuda shorts, casual dresses and skirts, jeans and lightweight pants. If you have arch support problems, don’t shy away from ballet flats, just throw in an insert and you’re good to go.
Taran’s Picks:
Keep it classy in this sophisticated d'orsay cut flat from Hollywould. A chic camel colored leather upper is detailed with intricate contrast stitching on the square toe front and bow sitting atop the vamp.
Get funky in this unique flat from Poetic License. A deep and sultry olive leather upper is designed with a capped green patent toe and trim along the heel with a flap detail and button at the toe.
Make a beautiful fashion statement with the Naturalizer Isra casual slip-ons. Embossed or patent leather upper in a slip-on ballet flat style with a round toe. Smooth lining, cushioned insole, non-slip outsole. 1 inch heel.
Get noticed with the Naturalizer Lesha slip-on flats. Leather and patent leather upper in a casual flat style with a square toe. Buckle detail on vamp. Cushioned insole, non-slip outsole. 1 inch low heel.
If a comfortable, contemporary flat is what you are in the market for, then look no further than this sexy suede shoe from Marc by Marc Jacobs. A soft gray suede upper is detailed with a frayed trim and bow just above the tiny pointed toe. Ladies, you might show a little cleavage with this one, and I'm not talking about the kind up top!
Euro-Sneaker
For a hip, casual look, you’ll get a lot of mileage out of a sleek Euro-sneaker. Personally, Pumas are my favorite. Last time I was in Boston, Pumas were everywhere. On the sides of buses. On billboards. On the feet of some very stylish Bostonians! Look for all makes and styles of Euro-sneakers; they’re trendy and fun and add a pop of color to any outfit.
Taran’s Picks:
They'll have to work hard to keep pace with your style in these sleek Puma Speed Cat sneakers. Racing-inspired suede upper in a casual athletic sneaker style with a round toe. A signature stitched Puma side stripe, close fitting design and embroidered Puma logo accents create a modern, classic look. Lace-up front, padded collar and tongue, textile lining and cushioning insole. Flexible low profile midsole. Rubber traction outsole and wrap bumper heel.
The Jago V brings clean and classic Puma design in the form of this fashionable runner. Its simple upper design is accented by tenCELL heel cushioning technology. Plus the hidden canvas loop lace-up front adds an extra coolness factor.
Take it low key in the Dustie low-profile fashion sneaker from Fergalicious by Fergie. This unique casual look features overlay and zipper accents, vulcanized rubber midsole and Fergalicious tiara logo accents. Features leather upper with overlays and zipper accents, padded insole, lace-up front, vulcanized rubber midsole and rubber traction logo-print outsole.
It’s the sleek styling with a hint of retro that makes these low-cut fashion shoes from Puma so “in” and attractive with features like a mesh upper with suede trim, a classic lace-up front and a rubber spiked traction outsole for added traction. They are the perfect touch to your ultra-casual clothes or workout wear!
Show off courtside in the superstar-styled Top Ten Low Sleek by adidas. Leather upper in an athletic basketball style with a round toe. Classic styling with signature adidas side striping, perforations for air circulation. Fabric lining, cushioned insole. Flexible midsole, rubber herringbone pattern traction outsole with pivot point.
