If the Shoe Fits Buy It in Every Color

From needlepoint to now: here's your list of 10 must-own heels and 10 to skip.

The latest heels to hit my closet.

Early on in my Spanx tenure I was decorating my office, which was really a cubical at that point. To adorn the wall, my grandmother, with whom I spoke to every day on the way home from work, made me a needlepoint canvas that had this very phrase on it: If the Shoe Fits, Buy It In Every Color. I also had the shoe-a-day calendar, obviously.

Deskside at Spanx

My grandma Connie (Constance if you please) helped hone my love of shopping — I’m actually fairly confident she’s the one to thank (or blame) for my habits. We loved nothing more than shopping at Town Center in Boca Raton together. I cherished these visits. It was with Grandma Connie that I recall seeing and trying on my first pair of high heels and willing my feet to grow to fit in. And it was with Grandma Connie that going to the mall meant I was guaranteed to come home in a different, brand new outfit, usually of the Limited Too variety. I actually had to unlearn the habit of entering a mall and leaving only once I’d purchased something which sounds silly but I remember being proud of myself after accomplishing that feat. I digress. I come by my desire for that dopamine hit, thrill of the hunt and love for shoes naturally.

Given that I’m always shopping, and usually shopping in high heels, I do have a bit of an upper hand (or foot) on which shoe brands are worth the repeat purchase. Can you walk in them for miles? Do they actually look good on? Are they outfit makers or work horses? I literally live by the phrase if the shoe fits buy it in every color, and so I thought I’d share with you the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to what makes the cut in my closet…and yes, I’m naming names.

10 Shoe Styles Worth Investing In

These will all come with a bit of a caveat - I am going to name specific styles because not all shoes are created equal and some brands make both lists, on the basis of that fact. Without further ado, the 10 shoes I reach for most.

1. Gianvito Rossi Pumps - My collection started with a pair of pony hair pumps purchased from Jeffrey and I haven’t looked back. Black suede, black velvet and white with fur, these are simply the most classic heel. Easy to walk in, sexy yet sophisticated and truly impossible to beat. I prefer the 105mm heel, but this pair with an 85mm heel would make a lovely wedding shoe.

2. Prada Platforms - I have three pairs of these: black satin, blush satin and black leather. When you know, you know. These are easy to walk in, easy on the eye, easy to dress up or down and are worth their weight in gold.

3. Larroude Dolly Mule in Natural - You can find me at the beach, pool and dinner in this perfect pair of heels. Elongating, easy to walk in and essential on every trip, so much so that I bought a backup pair just in case they ever retire them.

4. Larroude Miso Platform Clog - Larroude makes the list twice, as they should. This brand has done a number on the shoe industry, bringing beautiful design and extreme comfort and wearability to a price point that actually enables you to own multiple pairs. As a forever clog girl, these are my go-to pair (and of course, I have them in multiple colors).

5. Saint Laurent Jodie Platform - While I only have two colors in this heel, I wear the white ones more than *any* other shoe in my closet. No matter the weather, winter, spring, summer and fall (if on vacation), these shoes answer my call. The black velvet are great during fall and winter.

6. Madga Butrym Mules - This style was my saving grace when I fractured my heel as the position it put my foot in made it easier to walk than having a crutch (or boot). The fur-lined were a favorite for winter and this pair tops my wishlist for spring. Magda Butrym wins the award for most share of closet earned in 2024.

7. Amina Muaddi Begum - At 85 mm, this is my favorite airport shoe. I realize I may be alone in this, but if you’re a heel girl you get it. And this one is walkable. My first pair of Begums was this gorgeous linen pair from Jeffrey, and thankfully they reissued the style as it was always my most-asked about shoe. I now have a few colors, but black satin is my second-most worn. The linen also comes in a 70 mm if you’d like to test the waters in a lower heel.

8. Chloe Nama Platform Sandal - These shoes have walked the Augusta National Golf Course and are essentially sneakers that look chic and are open toe. 10/10 no notes. They are so good that they were brought back for a second season, both the originals and a new fisherman style (not my favorite, but A for effort). This means they were a commercial success too. Yay! That means when I wear them again all spring and summer you’ll be able to snag.

9. Hermes Oasis Sandal - If you absolutely forced me into a flatter shoe, this heeled sandal is elongating in skintone-adjacent shades and does happen to be quite comfortable. Colors come and go, and buying these secondhand from collectors who don’t want to be spotted in last season’s style is a good tip.

10. Christian Louboutin Degraqueen - Breaking my own rule of sticking to 105 mm to bring you the newest pair to my collection. These are strong because they’re as easy on the eyes as they are to walk in. Love her for daytime and night.

10 Shoe Styles to Skip

And no I’m not linking them because I can’t in good conscious have you even consider buying after living with them for so long and not wearing enough.

The reject pile. Pretty and impractical.

1. Amina Muaddi Mules - Not limited to the Gilda, but this shoe style is as bad as the Begum is good. The insoles slipped down almost immediately and then the bottom of my foot was left sticky. Bottom of the pile.

2. Saint Laurent Goldie Mules - Absolutely impossible to walk in, as an expert in walking in literally anything.

3. Manolo Blahnik Maysale Mules - Also impossible to keep on your foot. Great to look at, horrible to wear. Trust.

4. Miu Miu Satin Ballet Flats - Another pair that’s more beautiful than functional. How can you take one step in them without ruining the satin since you’re essentially on the floor. I bought them to have them and shouldn’t have because I’ve worn 0 times out of fear.

5. Chanel Slingbacks - This comes down to a sizing issue. This shoes varies fit depending on what material it’s made out of and for the price you pay, that shouldn’t be the case. It’s their problem to solve not yours.

6. Manolo Blahnik Lurum - The grip these had over me, only to wear them a handful of times. They work decently with jeans, but hardly anything else, and I also think the fit is off.

7. Saint Laurent Paradis Feather Slingbacks - It looks like I got the first gen of these last year, as the images pulling up show a slightly thicker heel. I can’t speak to the widened heel (it doesn’t look like they did much) but these may singlehandedly be the most uncomfortable shoes I won.

8. Prada Sequined Platforms - What on earth was I thinking? Too expensive for what they are and how often they could possibly be worn. May sell.

9. Jimmy Choo Pearl Platforms - Unless you’re a bride, they’re a no from me as they became too widespread and feel cheesy sadly.

10. Bottega Veneta Lido Sandals - Too trendy and the trend has since passed.

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