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With every season change comes the task of switching up your wardrobe. And while identifying that you’re going to need (and have probably been waiting for the time to wear) an easy, open-toed sandal at the beginning of spring and some kind of designated party shoe for the influx of post-work activities on summer Fridays, figuring out where to buy them is the real challenge.
So to help, we’ve put together a quick where-to guide for all of your warm(er) weather footwear needs, regardless of style or budget. Think of it as your cheat sheet for the best retailers to shop right now, grouped by category to make it even easier: everyday shoes and sandals (the grab-anytime, for-anything kind of shoe); night out-approved options (the standout styles for all of your rooftop after-hours functions); casual sneakers (because athleisure has proved it’s not going anywhere); and the retailers that carry the best variety to shop all of the above, with a wide range of brands, styles, and prices.
Everyday Shoes & Sandals
By Far: This young Bulgarian shoe brand has you completely covered from mules and block heels to easy slides. Aside from having a wide variety of styles, the brand also plays around with textures like suede and smooth leathers in a huge range of colors. The only problem you will face here is how not to blow your whole paycheck.
Charlotte Stone: Per the brand’s online mood board, Charlotte Stone’s spring/summer offerings are inspired by vintage silhouettes — from the 1920s saddle shoe to the dancing platforms of the 1930s — along with updated takes on modern heels and flats. From the latter, you’ll find great strappy block-heeled sandals and elegant, wear-everyday flats in really bold, neon-leaning blues, purples, and yellows.
Intentionally Blank: This LA-based brand is one of few still shelling out designs of classic styles that feel new and fresh. Thanks to the selection of leather, suede, and satin slides, sandals, and mules — with the brand’s signature chestnut-shaped wooden heel, stark color-blocking, and plays on texture — your shoes won’t look like anyone else’s.
Marais: Every year there is one shoe brand you will undoubtedly see all over Instagram, and this year, we’re betting on Marais. Starting at $198 for a pair of simple patent slides and peaking at $245 for a vintage-inspired chunky-heeled suede sandal, Marais offers fun, trendy staples that will feel like a special buy without completely breaking the bank.
Maryam Nassir Zadeh: It’s no stretch to say designer Maryam Nassir Zadeh started a totally new wave of shoes trends — leaning on comfort and simplicity — with her signature glove shoes, pastel slides, and strappy sandals (often in patent or suede). This season you’ll find the same styles revamped with faux croc texture, bright colors, and even some hints of PVC detailing.
Casual Sneakers
Eytys: Taking its cues from street culture and cool Scandinavian minimalism, Eytys offers up a line of unisex platform sneakers and high-tops all made with premium leather, canvas and suede. Expect tons of neutrals colors throughout the collection, with a few punch-y colors thrown in the mix.
Puma: Over its 65-year history, Puma has made a name for itself as a leading sneaker brand as far as performance and functional design goes. In recent years, it’s also been known to usher in some of the biggest celeb collabs, too, from Rihanna to Kylie Jenner. The brand definitely offers more out-there styles as far as the lifestyle selection goes (i.e. suede creeper platforms and silk ribbon laces on iridescent accents), but maybe that’s your thing!
Vans: The classic shoe brand is notorious for breaking through every style boundary, from teenagers in skate parks to fancy editors at fashion shows; it’s so iconic that its $45, unfussy slip-on shoes have been ripped off by virtually everyone. There’s bound to be a pair you love — high- or low-top, with or without laces — and if there’s not, dreaming up your perfect pair is always an option with the brand’s online customization studio.
Veja: If you were wondering when (and how) Velcro straps on adult sneakers became a thing, you can thank this French footwear brand. Veja’s selection — ranging in a handful of different styles (including some with actual laces) — are all made with organic cotton, wild rubber from the Amazon, and vegetable-tanned leather. Offered in white, black, blush pinks, and metallics, these simple sneakers are exactly what you need for everyday wear.
Women by Common Projects: The goal of the Manhattan-based design duo behind Common Projects was to make the perfect shoe, which is why these sneakers — hand-stitched in Italy using the finest materials — look so clean and crisp. Dipped in all-over stark white, ivory, pale pinks, and metallics, the sneakers call for attention (and are sure to have people asking you where you got them from).
Heels & Going-Out Shoes
Frances Valentine: Metallics! Pom-poms! Tassels! This quirky accessories brand is an after-hours shoe gold mine with a really great range of styles, silhouettes, and trends, including everything from metallic sling-back pumps and color-blocked chunky heeled sandals to leather pom-pom heels.
Matt Bernson: The New York City-based shoe brand really nails every type of shoe style out there, but it’s the heel and wedge offerings that are especially noteworthy in the warmer months. Within the spring/summer collection, you’ll find classic styles that are ever-so-slightly reworked — like these wooden-heeled, leather-lined elastic heels, or this pull-on ankle bootie with a wide wooden wedge — to feel special and unique.
Raye: Based out of Los Angeles, Raye was inspired by the need of unique, quality shoes at price points that felt accessible, and it’s really become just that, with some offerings currently under $100. Think sandals in lots of suede with wrap and tie-up detailing and cage silhouettes.
Schutz: This Brazilian-based label is truly the epitome of a going-out shoe. You’ll find silhouettes ranging from pro-height stilettos and chunky platforms to crisp flats and mules, decked out in all sorts of embellishments, patterns, and fabrication. Plus, the selection here feels close to endless — with pages upon pages of inventory — so you’ll surely find a pair (or two) to throw into rotation.
Topshop: The British fast fashion retailer is a great option if you’re not looking to totally splurge on a shoe you might only wear a couple times a week. Plus, its site literally has a “Party Shoes” tab, so you know you’re in the right place. This is the one place you’ll find all of the most trending options of right now under $100, from embroidered platforms and studded eyelet sandals to multi-buckle heels and color-blocked stilettos.
Good for Everything
Aldo: Shopping Aldo is like visiting your hometown mall without having to leave your bedroom (or wherever you and your laptop hang out while buying shoes online). The selection is all in-house, so you’ll find really consistent, mostly affordable prices across the board for trend-driven takes on all kinds of styles.
ASOS: With nearly 3,500 shoes currently on sale, ranging from its in-house label to a wide selection from familiar brands like Adidas and Nike, you’re bound to find a pair (or five) you like.
Garmentory: Easily the indie-est of indie stops, Garmentory is your ultimate online source for the best in emerging and contemporary fashion. The site aggregates e-commerce for hundreds of small designers and shops from all over the world, including some you probably already love — like Sol Sana, No.6, and Nisolo — and even more waiting for you to discover.
Loeffler Randall: The brand prides itself on making shoes that are well-made, easy to wear, and just against-the-grain enough to not look like what everyone else is wearing. Among the spring/summer offerings, you’ll find pretty much every style here, from platforms and heeled sandals to slides and babouches, all decked out with accents like pom-poms, ruffles, and intense color-blocking.
M.Gemi: M.Gemi offers an awesome selection of both classic and wear-everyday styles (loafers, easy flats, and basic heels), plus some fun party-friendly heels and boots — all made in Italy and offered at reasonable prices.
Need Supply: The indie favorite is known for its perfectly edited selection across the board, and the shoe section is no different. Expect tons of easy-to-wear shoes from popular names like Rachel Comey and Brother Vellies, plus a handful of under-the-radar designers like Sol Sana and Miista, as well as some really fabulous sneakers.
Net-a-Porter: When you’ve got more money to spend and time to browse the seemingly endless selection, head here for the best luxury offerings. From Gucci to Prada, Vetements to Stella McCartney, this is where you’ll find the most coveted shoes of the moment in virtually every and any style, from sneakers to black tie-ready heels.