Shoes occupy a similar place in a fashion-lover's heart as handbags. They can elevate an otherwise dull outfit and are often masterpieces in creativity and craftsmanship.
Designer shoes also depreciate at a much slower rate than clothing (but faster than handbags), sometimes even increasing in value as time goes on.
So, if you want to invest your hard-earned money in a pair that you won't regret buying come next season, or even want to make a little money from your shopping habit, you've come to the right place, since we've consulted the experts to get you the definitive line on which designer shoes are actually worth the investment.
Investment needn't mean overlooking trendier styles in favour of the classics. In fact, we spoke Mytheresa's VP of Fashion, Tiffany Hsu, to learn which styles she predicts will reign in 2023.
Neo-Classic Pumps
'A neo-classic pump is a must have for next season and you can’t go wrong with Saint Laurent,' Hsu tells ELLE UK.
'Saint Laurent's 'Pablo' Slingback Pumps are classic but oh-so sexy, they work from day to night with every look.'
How to style them? Continue with the neo-classic theme with an a-line circle skirt (perhaps in leather) and long black coat, or copy the Saint Laurent runway with tight lycra and Matrix sunglasses. Either way, these vampy pumps can read as both work and dance-floor appropriate.
Sky-High Heels
'We have seen many platform versions for last summer, but especially as sandals we truly love them,' Hsu explains.
'Amina Muaddi is still the queen of shoes and her 'Sita' version in suede is so elevated.'
How to style them? Leg-lengthen to the max by pairing these vertiginous heels with a teeny tiny miniskirt. We like to pair with proportions by pairing tiny skirts with a roll-neck and extra long overcoat - tights are of course optional.
XL Mary Janes
'A huge trend we have seen for SS23 are the comeback of Mary Janes with immersive platforms,' Hsu tells ELLE UK.
'My favourites are Bottega Veneta's 'Mostra' Platforms as they are stylish yet timeless.'
How to style them? When wanting to create a subversive and feminine ensemble, stomping Mary Janes are a great choice. We'd pair them with midi skirts and oversized suiting, just like we saw in Bottega Veneta's AW22 show.
Knee-High Stompers
'Boots and miniskirts are my favourite combination for spring,' Hsu says.
'Acne Studios is a true classic and their knee-high boots with squared toes are simply cool.'
How to style them? Pairing mini skirts and knee-high boots is a great idea come Spring, but while it's still cold, a midi length will still do the trick. The combination of stomping boots and swinging skirt always work, but we're particularly fond of denim paired with leather.
Ballet Flats
'Ballerinas come in all forms and colours for upcoming summer,' Hsu explains.
'To add a little extra sparkle choose the embellished ballet flats from Miu Miu and upgrade your wardrobe. A simple black pair of jeans mixed with those flats will do the job.'
How to style them? Hsu is right - Miu Miu's super-sparkly offerings are probably best dressed down. But if you're investing in any more pared-back colours, we say double-down with ultra-feminine shapes.
Shop 2023’s Big Hitters
SAINT LAURENT Pablo Buckle-embellished Patent-leather Slingback Pumps
Miu Miu Crystal-embellished leather ballet flats
While scoping out the next 'it' shoe is a worthwhile pursuit, it's vintage, archive and secondhand shoes that will take your wardrobe from trend-follower to trend-setter, with sustainable kudos to boot (pun intended).
It's also often a savvier financial choice, with pre-worn pieces being cheaper in the first place, and often retaining or even increasing their value if you choose wisely.
'Evergreen items and accessories are always a safe investment, frequently increasing in value as the years go on,' Vestiaire Collective tells ELLE UK.
'We observe that luxury accessories, especially bags or shoes, are the best performing categories in our platform.'
To learn which brand's stilettos, sneakers and flats to invest in (or indeed sell if you're short on cash), Vestiaire let us know their top-selling shoe brands of 2023, namely Christian Louboutin, Gucci, Parada, Hermès and Jimmy Choo.
Shop The Cold Hard Cashers
Jimmy Choo Sacora Cloth Sandal
£954
Christian Louboutin Pigalle patent Leather Heels
£335
Hermès Oran leather sandal
£450
Gucci Jordaan leather flats
£400
Prada Loafers
£730
For those uninterested in the passing trends of the 'New In' section, and indifferent to the resale market's peaks and troughs, its classic shoes, timeless in their style and proud of their heritage, that they should turn to.
Here are the ELLE UK picks of shoe style staples.
Gucci's Jordaan Loafers
You'll likely be familiar with Gucci's iconic Horsebit loafer.
As the story goes, while working at London hotel The Savoy just after World War I, a young Guccio Gucci (the brand's eponymous founder) noticed how significant equestrian symbols were to the English aristocracy. Thus, when he started the Gucci brand in 1921 he made sure the iconography became intertwined with its identity.
It was his son, Aldo, who introduced the Horsebit loafer in 1953. The sumptuous leather slip-on quickly became synonymous with the jet set and Hollywood stars alike.
Though already a true classic, Alessandro Michele's arrival at the helm of Gucci in 2015 signalled a renaissance for the style. Reworked with a slimmer shape to create the Jordaan style (pictured above), the horsebit-adorned loafer is once again a must-have.
Chanel's Two-Tone Slingbacks
First created by Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel in 1957, there's more to Chanel's two-tone slingbacks than meets the eye; the nude upper lengthens the leg, while the black toe shortens the foot. Genius.
Former Creative Director Karl Lagerfeld reintroduced them Autumn/Winter 2015, and they soon became a must-have.
You'll need to head to Chanel directly to get hold of a pair (or nab secondhand) - and there's no guarantee Chanel will continue to make them for years to come.
Christian Louboutin's Pigalle Pumps
Named after an historically seedy area in Paris - Quartier Pigalle, home to the Moulin Rouge and other such establishments - the Pigalle is by far Christian Louboutin's most iconic red-soled shoe.
With it's pointed toe and pencil-straight 120mm heel, the shoe is loved for its posture-correcting and leg-lengthening abilities. Kate Moss has countless pairs, and you'll rarely see her on the red carpet wearing any other shoe.
Black patent is the signature fabrication but due to their popularity they are available in a plethora of fabrics and treatments.
Manolo Blahnik's Hangisi Pumps
When Carrie Bradshaw chose Manolo Blahnik's jewel blue Hangisi pumps as her 'something blue' when she (finally) married 'Big' in the first Sex And The City film, she unwittingly (or perhaps not) bestowed icon status upon the shoe.
Don't believe us? Olivia Palermo decided to wear them on her 2014 wedding day.
Satin-covered with a 105mm heel, the Hangisi was inspired Napoleon I, Josephine and Pauline Bonaparte. The signature Swarovski-embellished buckle on the toe, meanwhile, was inspired by a vintage piece found by Blahnik, a lover of accessories, in Italy.
Shop The Style Staples
Gucci Jordaan Horsebit leather loafers
£645.00
£870.00
£945.00
