Lets face it – nice shoes will make you extremely happy and very attractive. Shoes are a form of wearable art that turns heads and makes people stop, stare, ooohhh and aaahhh. Wearing nice shoes also makes you instantly cooler – better than everyone around you. Aside from the perfect wardrobe pieces such as perfectly fitting jeans and other accessories like bags and jewelry, the right shoes are just as important and will make or break an entire look.

Many people are shoe (and sneaker) collectors and a closet full of shoes is the stuff dreams are made of. It creates style superiority and style options. A trip to the mall or hours spent scrolling through your favorite websites can leave your heart racing at the sight of all the shoes that can be made available to you. And, even if you don’t currently have an outfit or an event to wear these shoes to, it isn’t necessarily a bad thing to purchase the shoes anyway because again – options.

There are a few questions, however, to ask yourself when purchasing these cool, sexy, dope shoes:

1. Are you really going to wear this pair of shoes? Do they fit your style?
2. Are you buying these shoes because they are on sale or are you in a woeful state of mind? (no judgement here)
3. How often will you wear these shoes?
4. Do you even have the basic shoe essentials for your shoe collection?

What are shoe essentials? They are the types of shoes that are considered to be the foundation of your shoe wardrobe. No matter what you are wearing, what the occasion is or what time of the year it is, these shoes will enable you to create the right look for most occasions (interviews, dates, brunch, overall stuntin’). Essential shoes are purchased in basic colors (black, brown, gray), pop or alternative colors (oxblood) and in animal prints (an essential neutral). Shoe essentials take the stress and confusion out of getting dressed and looking nice.

Continue reading to discover the essential shoes you need to keep your look attractive and functional.  Get the basics then add on the fun shoes.

Pump – black and leopard print.

Ankle Bootie – peep/closed toe.

Tall Boot – low to mid heel and/or stiletto.

Weather Boots – for rain and snow.

Casual Sneaker – Vans, Chucks, sock sneaker, etc.

Athletic/Running Sneaker – Nike, Allbirds, Adidas, etc.

Casual Flat/Ballet slipper – for comfort and/or casual looks.

Flat/low heeled sandal/mule/slide – perfect for warmer months.

Strappy/Heeled Sandal (mid/high heel/stiletto) – great for dressing up/formal ocassions.

Platform Shoe/Sandal – Gives structure and balance to the figure when wearing wider/fuller silhouettes.

Keep in mind that what is basic or essential for one person may be unnecessary for someone else.  You must evaluate your personal style needs and lifestyle to determine what fits in your wardrobe.

For ideas on wardrobe essentials, go here.

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