Shoes, glorious capsule wardrobe shoes.
As someone who walks everywhere, I’ve taken great care to fill my wardrobe with shoes that withstand any trek while remaining true to my style.
While not an easy feet (I’m so sorry for this), I’m sharing my best ideas to build a shoe capsule wardrobe for those who are on their feet.
Read on for must-have capsule wardrobe shoes, ample styling ideas, and a formula for finding your perfect heel height.
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MY SUMMER CAPSULE WARDROBE SHOES
The following summer capsule wardrobe shoes keep me comfortable while on the go, without sacrificing style.
They include
Flat Sandals
Espadrilles
White Sneakers
Classic Heels
Scroll on for walking-approved shoe options and chic styling ideas.
FLAT SANDALS
ESPADRILLES
WHITE SNEAKER
CLASSIC HEELS
Planning warm weather outfits? Browse this summer capsule wardrobe for ideas
MY WINTER CAPSULE WARDROBE SHOES
If I may make a small confession, even though I will stand by summer as my favorite season, I secretly love the fashion winter brings just a smidge more (check out the full winter capsule wardrobe here).
Now that we’re all a little bit closer, I hope you’ll trust me when I say I have cracked the code for the best capsule wardrobe shoes for winter walkers.
These Include:
Knee High Boots
Loafers
Water-resistant Shoes
Ankle Boots
For superb winter capsule shoes and styling ideas, just keep reading.
KNEE HIGH BOOTS
ANKLE BOOTS
LOAFERS
My favorite thing about loafers is the accompanying socks. It is not necessary to style your loafer with socks but it is the pairing that forces me to walk to my nearest chic cafe so that the patrons can sip hot coffee and admire my ensemble. Lug sole loafers have won the hearts of many in the past couple seasons for their durability and shape. But other loafer looks include sleeker options with pointed toes, flatter soles, or even the heeled variety.RAIN BOOTS
Depending on the weather in your city, you may be able to do without a dedicated rain boot in your capsule wardrobe. However, I am not so lucky. I must keep rain boots in the shoe capsule wardrobe rotation. Rain boots used to be known for bright yellow colors and an awkward fit, but today we can find completely waterproof boots that elevate our attire. You can go for a classic calf-high black boot with a chunky platform sole to ground your look in a functional, yet trendy silhouette.11 CAPSULE WARDROBE SHOES BY SEASON
Whether you’re a fan of the flat boot or prefer sliding into stilettos, you deserve shoes that carry you through life’s occasions. The must-have capsule shoes below offer functionality in winter, spring, summer, and fall.
WINTER
KNEE HIGH BOOTS
Knee-high boots are the staple shoes that add warmth and style on chilly days. I love pairing them with skinny jeans in the same color for a nice dose of leg elongation. These capsule wardrobe shoes level up any look.
HOW TO STYLE THEM
CLASSIC PUMPS
Elevate your winter ensembles (literally) with the help of a trusted pair of classic pumps. To ensure they are comfortable, use the formula below to find the perfect heel height.HOW TO STYLE THEM
WATER-RESISTANT BOOTS
Rainy days call for functional shoes. Enter water-resistant boots. These must-have shoes pair prettily with sweater dresses, maxi skirts, and straight-leg denim.HOW TO STYLE THEM
SPRING
BALLET FLATS
While flats are timeless shoes, they’re surging in popularity at the moment (thanks, balletcore). A classic pair topped with a little bow makes for a polished and extremely walkable shoe option.HOW TO STYLE THEM
HEELED MULES
Raise your hand if you want to look effortlessly chic. Slipping into leather mules will do the trick. Their versatility and comfort make them the perfect transition weather shoes.
HOW TO STYLE THEM
WHITE SNEAKERS
No shoe capsule wardrobe is complete without a pair of dazzling white sneakers. If your style leans toward the causal side of the spectrum, you’ll find yourself slipping into these staple shoes most days of the week.HOW TO STYLE THEM
SUMMER
FLAT SANDALS
Like a reliable SPF, sandals are an absolute must-have on sweltering summer days. These capsule wardrobe shoes work best in neutral colors like tan or black for easy mixing and matching.HOW TO STYLE THEM
STRAPPY HEELS
Summer parties and date nights call for elegant footwear. A strappy pair of heels fit the bill. To keep your feet happy, choose a pair at a comfortable height. The formula for that is below.HOW TO STYLE THEM
WOVEN ESPADRILLES
Espadrilles make me feel beachy and boho, no matter my location. Plus, there are lots of options from wedges to flats to ankle strap varieties. Versatility and effortless style? A summer shoe essential indeed.
HOW TO STYLE THEM
FALL
CLASSIC LOAFERS
If you explored the dark academia wardrobe, you know that loafers are capsule wardrobe shoes I wholeheartedly endorse. Since loafers easily go from professional to casual, they’re a shoe staple worth making space for in your autumnal rotation.HOW TO STYLE THEM
ANKLE BOOTIES
When the temperature starts to drop, ankle booties step in as your functional footwear. I pair these on repeat with midi skirts, denim, and chic sweater dresses. Need boots that are made for walking? Pick a low to medium heel.
HOW TO STYLE THEM
HOW TO PICK YOUR PERFECT HEEL HEIGHT
Heels are essential shoes that give our legs (and our confidence levels) a nice lift. But how can you find the ideal pair?
Here’s an easy-to-use formula for finding a comfortable heel height.
1. MEASURE THE FULL LENGTH OF YOUR FOOT IN CENTIMETERS.
2. DIVIDE THIS NUMBER BY 7.
3. THIS NUMBER IS YOUR IDEAL HEEL HEIGHT.
Say your 7.5 size feet measure 25.5 centimeters. When you divide 25.5 by 7, you get approximately 3.64. This means that a heel height of around 3.5 to 4 inches would be your ideal and most comfortable heel height.
This formula comes courtesy of the lovely Audrey Coyne who serves up superb style videos on the regular.
HOW TO BUILD A SHOE CAPSULE WARDROBE
GO THROUGH YOUR CURRENT SHOES
Pull out all the shoes you own. Separate the ones you wear on repeat. Look for common themes between the pairs you love. These can be colors, materials, or styles that they share.
Personally, my favorite shoes tend to be solid colored with great arch support and little details that make me smile. Think a small buckle, bow, or embroidery that gives my shoe personality while remaining classic enough to wear until the soles fall away.
MATCH SHOES TO YOUR LIFESTYLE
If there’s any section of your wardrobe where functionality is king, it’s shoes. As you pick your capsule wardrobe shoes, consider how you spend most of your time.
Are you on the go? Do you attend meetings? Are a lot of formal events on your calendar? Your shoes should serve your needs. So pick them accordingly.
I frequent upscale restaurants and events. Naturally, a few pairs of heels are essentials in my shoe capsule. For casual days, I have a pair of reliable sneakers which is all I need.
3. CHOOSE TIMELESS STYLES
To make outfit creation easy, invest in well-made shoes that serve as the foundation for a range of looks. These include:
- Classic black pumps
- Ballet flats
- Ankle boots
- White Sneakers
Don’t get me wrong. There’s room for fun in your capsule wardrobe shoes. Pick a bright pair of heels or a funky set of sneakers if you so desire. Just ensure you have your bases covered with timeless basics too.
4. ROTATE SHOES WITH SEASONS
Want a simple way to keep your shoe collection manageable? Swap your collection as the seasons change. A few basic styles like sneakers will work year-round. But others, like knee-high boots in the winter or strappy sandals in the summer, can move in and out.
At the end of each season, evaluate the condition of your shoes and see which ones need repair. Ahem, those much-loved sandals may need to be resoled. Also, use this time to learn what shoes you actually wear and which ones are simply sitting pretty on your shoe rack.
Whittle down the capsule wardrobe shoes for a clutter-free closet.
MAKE YOUR SHOES LAST: CAPSULE SHOE MAINTENANCE
So you have your stellar shoe staples. Now let’s cover how to keep them in tip-top shape.
CLEAN SHOES REGULARLY
Keep dirt and scuffs at bay by routinely cleaning your shoes. Reach for a soft brush or cloth to wipe away surface dirt. If you run into stubborn stains, always consult the brand’s cleaning instructions before using any removal products.
USE SHOE TREES
Creases can kill the look of even the chicest shoes. Fortunately, you can invest in wood or plastic shoe trees to maintain your shoes’ shape.
STORE SHOES PROPERLY
If you’re not using a pair of shoes, store them in a cool dry place. Instead of crowding all your shoes on an overflowing rack, use boxes or dust bags to put them away. This extra effort is well worth the life extension your favorite soles will get.
REPAIR YOUR SHOES
As we discussed in our sustainable capsule wardrobe guide, it’s best to repair items rather than toss them out. If you notice signs of wear, scuffs, or damaged soles, take your shoes to a cobbler for timely repairs.
BRANDS TO SHOP FOR CAPSULE WARDROBE SHOES
BIRKENSTOCK
Sandals should be comfortable. Birkenstock gets that. The classic sandal features cork footbeds with excellent arch support, and the buckled style seems to always resurrect as temperatures rise.
EVERLANE
Minimalist shoe lovers, find your match at Everlane. Here, you’ll find a range of capsule wardrobe shoes that are built to last. Take the day glove flats for example, a fan favorite for their all-day comfort and timeless style.
NEW BALANCE
Founded in 1906, New Balance is a fixture in the sneaker scene. The 624s, aptly dubbed dad shoes by the trendy elite, may look familiar. Or you may prefer the ultra comfy 574s which routinely gain praise for their versatility.
THURSDAY BOOT COMPANY
On the lookout for quality shoes? Thursday blends the “durability of work boots and sophistication of fashion boots” into every pair from combat to Chelsea to cowboy.
AEROSOLES
Shoes that perfectly complete an outfit? Amazing. Shoes that do it without causing foot pain? Perfection. Find flexible, comfortable, and yes stylish shoes at Aerosoles. Take a peek if you’re looking for heels that won’t leave your feet on fire by the end of the night.
NET-A-PORTER
When adding a few designer options to your shoe capsule wardrobe, scroll through the scrumptious selection at Net-A-Porter. It’s an excellent place to discover high-end shoes that fit your capsule wardrobe criteria.
FAQS – CAPSULE WARDROBE SHOES
For a minimalist capsule wardrobe, choose 5-7 pairs of shoes that can get you through life’s occasions and seasons. This breakdown could include a dressy pair of heels, casual sneakers, office-friendly flats, open-toe sandals, neutral ankle boots, sleek loafers, and a waterproof pair of boots.
Can’t possibly pare down your shoe collection to that size?
If you prefer more flexibility from your shoe capsule wardrobe, aim to have 10-15 pairs of shoes. By keeping your selection manageable, you can hone in on the shoes that complement both your personal style and your activities.
Oh, and you’ll have much more floor space in your closet.
Yes, shoes are a foundational part of any wardrobe-including a capsule. As you curate your capsule wardrobe shoes, pull in styles that complement your existing wardrobe.
If you wear lots of professional clothing, add pumps and office flats. If casual looks are your bread and butter, add in a few sneaker and slide options. Whatever your needs are, shop for durable, well-crafted shoes. Designs that are built to last (not just to look cute) will carry you far.
