Designer shoes hit different – we'll gladly admit it. If, like us, Sex and the City shaped your formative fashion years, the appeal of an exquisitely crafted shoe goes way beyond merely protecting your feet from the elements.
Fashion is a key form of expression, and when the stars align, it is empowering and joyful. When other, slightly more sinister, elements of the industry may sway us towards thinking unfavourably – unfairly, we hasten to add – towards our bodies, shoes present the perfect respite.
Fitting into your footwear is guaranteed, and for this reason alone, you ought to invest in your shoes. Styles with a certain classic appeal may stay with you for years beyond the initial purchase. Totally unaffected by body shape fluctuation, unlike the rest of your wardrobe, shoes can be relied upon to deliver impact – never an afterthought among the sartorially obsessed.
© ImaxtreeHowever, breaking the bank is not an option, whatever the devil on your shoulder may whisper come payday. The high street cannot be expected to offer you artisan craftsmanship, but it has still come on leaps and bounds in recent years, and can certainly help you get a slice of the latest trends.
How we chose the pairs:
- Price: Many cult-adored designer pairs retail well beyond the £1,000 mark, but splashing out isn't always an option. We've selected the best of this season's hottest styles, and they all cost under £200.
- Style: Naturally, a super flattering shoe silhouette is essential. When combing through the internet's top high street fashion sites for the best pairs, we made sure that each of our picks were either bang on trend for AW24 or had a certain classic appeal for maximum wearability.
READ: The 10 most expensive looking pieces on the high-street this week
MORE: 10 pieces from Ralph Lauren that scream 'Quiet Luxury'
Hello! Fashion shares the pairs of cool-girl shoes that no one will believe are from the high street:
Leather Mules
Mango
Inject texture into your everyday with Mango's befurred mules. Kitsch and cool in the extreme, these ponyhair slip-ons are true conversation starters.
Square-Toe Ballet Flats
& Other Stories
Dip into dark chocolate with & Other Stories' perfect ballet pumps. Crafted from satin with a squared-off point, these luxurious looking slip-ons are the perfect autumnal pick.
Adella Buckle Mules
Crafted from responsibly sourced leather, Whistles' Adella mules offer the perfect hint of Y2K - the cool-girl buckle - without verging into fully retro territory. Team yours with a chic black one-piece and a wide-brim hat for a high impact holiday moment.
Pointed Leather Pumps
Maje
Tune into girlish glamour with Maje's pointed pumps. Offering a gentle pop of blossom pink, these easywear heels are both feminine and flirtatious - perfect for any after-hours event.
Helenas Flexible Sole Ballet Pumps
Dune
Cool-girls aren't afraid to wear yellow. Dune's buttery soft leather pumps offer the ideal injection of sartorial dopamine as we glide into autumn.
XT-6 GORE-TEX
Salomon
Salomons are beloved by Hackney hipsters and Dalston dwellers alike. Cloud-soft and uber-sleek, these cream-rose kickers are a year-round staple.
Red Bow Square Toe Ballet Mules
Charles & Keith
Part ballet pump, part mule, these Dorothy-approved flats are topping our wishlists. Marvel at the patent, popping hue as you stylishly step into each season.
P-6000 Trainers
Nike
Nike P-6000s are one of our top buys of the year. The comfortable, cool-girl shoes come complete with silver detailing, black accents and sporty lines.
Lorella Shoes
Schuh
An affordable take on Ganni's beloved silhouette, these affordable buckled Mary Janes are primed for autumn-into-winter layering.
Leather Animal Print Ballet Flats
Stradivarius
Serving pony hair perfection are these luxurious-looking flats to feel fabulous in. Are they Simone Rocha? Are they Acne? Are they Le Monde Beryl? Nope, they're Stradivarius - and very much an affordable option.
Why you should trust me:
My role on the fashion features team at HELLO! Fashion, coupled with over 10 years experience in the fashion industry, has enabled me to curate an expansive brand vocabulary and develop an eye for timeless yet on-trend pieces. Luxury trends spotlighting is my bread and butter, which helps me to predict trickle-down high-street trends that will appeal to the masses, be them seasoned style veterans or keen fashion rookies.
HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page.
