A Girl’s Best Friend: 7 Types of Shoes Every Girl Needs in Her Closet
A man’s best friend may be a dog, but a woman’s best friend is her shoe collection. Nothing compares to opening a fresh box of new shoes – being hit with the smell of fresh leather as the lid comes off the box, hearing the crinkle of the paper when you go to unwrap the first shoe, and wearing them out for the first time, shielding them from anything that could potentially damage them. But, unfortunately, there comes a time when the shoe collection gets out of control, and the girl’s best friend turns into an overwhelming, irritating situationship that never seems to be able to leave her alone – shoes that no longer fit or shoes that have gone out of style. To make decluttering easier for you, we’ve come up with 8 essential types of shoes to keep in your closet.
Every-occasion heel
Starting off strong, every girl needs a pair of heels that can elevate any outfit. From running errands in the day to dinner and drinks with the girls or even date night in the evening, the perfect pair of heels provide endless versatility. When we think of heels, we usually think they have to be tall, but they really don't have to be – a kitten heel achieves the same look, without the discomfort of walking in stilettos. They don’t have to be plain either. Black, brown and nude heels are usually default, but try different colors and styles – straps, embellishments – and experiment with different materials, perhaps even a vintage pair. What’s most important is that you are comfortable and feel confident in them.
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2. Everyday sandal
Sandals are your go-to pair of shoes in spring and summer – for brunch with the girls, for a day at the beach, or for a quick run to the grocer. My personal go-to-sandal for the year was Sam Edelman’s Bay Slide Sandal. Not only were they supportive, but they provided a second option when sneakers didn’t match. They were aesthetically versatile and easy to throw in my bag as an ‘in-case’ pair of shoes. What’s trendy now you ask? Strappy sandals – whether it be one strap or multiple straps, thin straps or thick straps. Birkenstocks have also become a staple for a lot of people offering different styles like the clog as a closed-toe alternative to the sandal. Make sure to pick a pair that is comfortable for you – so comfortable that you could walk all day and not feel a thing. It’s also important to pick a pair that compliments the shape of your foot. For instance, wider feet may require more support, so you may choose to opt for a thicker platform rather than a skinnier, thinner insole.
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3. loafers
Loafers are a type of shoe you grow to love – and when you love, you love hard. I was never really a fan of the loafer, only because I found it very hard to style. But as slim shoes continue to grow in popularity, more and more people are turning to the traditional loafer to provide a more put together, polished look. Now, loafers aren’t a necessity if they aren’t your style – but keep in mind, they come in many varieties, so there might just be one for you. I’ve found heelless loafers work best for outfits where my goal is to look composed – day at the office, running errands in the city – almost doubling as a sandal. Loafers are adaptable – wear them with skirts, pants, shorts, with or without socks – the possibilities are endless. Different materials, like suede or leather, as well as unique embellishments like tassels or buckles create different looks. The key is to experiment until you find a style that is yours. Hot tip: break them in!
4. Ballet flats
Just like the sandal, ballet flats will be your go-to spring and summer shoe. However, unlike the sandal, ballet flats provide a close-toed option for when you’re looking for something more feminine and put together, but still casual. Ballet flats have only recently become a trend, but it seems like they’re here to stay. Typically they follow a rounded toe and have embellishments like bows – a wardrobe staple if you’re just starting out on the trend. However, as they become trendier, they are evolving – asymmetrical toe shoes, tabi flats, embellished varieties like rhinestones or sequins. In terms of colors, ballet flats match with almost anything and everything, so experiment with what fits your style best!
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5. BOOTS
Here’s a rule to live by: boots are a staple in the winter, but a statement in the summer. But regardless of the season, boots are everything. Pair them with a skirt in the summer, or tuck them under your jeans to keep warm in the winter. Wear them to run errands, or wear them to a music festival – the possibilities are endless. But remember, not all boots are for everyone – pick lengths, materials, patterns, and colours that suit your closet. Ankle boots may look and feel better for you over other options like knee-high boots. Your closet may be majority warmer colors (reds, oranges, browns), so you may prefer brown boots or black ones, or materials like leather over suede.
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6. Classy sneaker
It is easy to get lost in sneaker trends. My algorithm is constantly blurred with what seems to be ‘the newest and hottest trend’ that I can never keep up with; but yet, I find myself succumbing to them (I have at least 8 pairs of Adidas Sambas, all in different colours). However, in light of decluttering and becoming financially economical for 2026, I will have to change my approach to sneaker shopping: choosing sneakers that provide timeless and neutral additions all year round. 2025 saw a lot of deviation from just plain white sneakers, with Adidas Gazelles, Spezials and Sambas trending for their significant variation of colour. Alike Adidas, Onitsuku Tigers became trendy once again for their slim, unique style and variation of patterns, styles, and colours. From these trends, it is clear that people are starting to choose shoes according to their own personal styles, diverging from the cohort of plain chunky Air-Forces or Fila shoes, to ones that are more self-expressive.
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7. Sport sneaker
2026 is the year for movement, but how can you move without a designated hot-girl-walk shoe? More than ever, we as a society are aware of the effects that movement and exercise have on our own bodies, placing health and fitness as a priority. The ‘sportif’ fashion trend has paralleled this increase – blending fashion with functionality, realised in everyday active-wear outfits. It is crucial to find a shoe that is suitable for the type of movement you choose to indulge in: walking, running, hiking. I used to think sport sneakers were the most unattractive type of shoe, but now I see that not only can they decrease my risk of injury – I had to learn this the hard way – but they are also an amazing fashion statement piece to own, whether you are in athleisure or not.
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