The Under-$50 Mules I Wear Everywhere

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Summer 2017 might as well be known as the summer of Peak Mule. Browse any store online or its brick-and-mortar counterpart, and you’ll be bombarded with infinite mule options — suede, metallic, jelly, wood, and beyond — and some of them can cost a pretty penny. I’ve invested in mules before: expensive closed-toe blue suede heels, a leather pair with tassels. I’ve also scooped up gold ones at the mall for the price of a Chipotle burrito.

I’ve loved them all equally, but recently I found a pair that’s claimed its place as my favorite, and I cannot seem to unglue them from my feet. Featuring a stacked wooden heel, open toe, and laser-cut perforated upper, they’re by the shoe brand BC, which specializes in vegan, cruelty-free, and not-scandalously-priced shoes.

There are many reasons why my new BC mules have become my number one. They’re made from a soft faux leather that’s breathable, in part due to the material’s tiny decorative slits. The heel is perfectly chunky, and even though they’re open-toe and backless, my feet don’t slide around when I walk (not: I sized up a half-size because the brand can run small). They come in three different colors: black, cognac, and taupe. I chose black because you can never go wrong with black.

Plus, they’re just damn comfy. I recently spent an hour walking around New York City in the rain, essentially doing laps around the Financial District because I was lost. Even though I was frazzled, wet, and sweaty, my feet felt fine. Most importantly, the rain left my shoes unscathed.

When I’m not walking in circles, I’m usually wearing them at work with culottes or a summer dress. They make a satisfying click-clack as I walk from the conference room to my desk, which makes me feel mature and confident even on days I don’t feel mature or confident. Even though they only cost me $75 — and you can buy a pair right now on sale for $45 — to me, this makes them priceless.