I Asked 6 of My Friends for the Shoe Style They'll Never Purge From Their Closet

Given that I'm the fashion editor in my family and friend group, I'm typically the go-to for any style-related questions. But as I've been catching up with a lot of my friends and family over the last few weeks while spending time at home, I thought I'd turn the tables a bit and ask everyone else for some fashion guidance. And given that many in my inner circle have been cleaning out their closets recently, I thought I'd tap everyone to get some specific insight on their absolute favorite shoe styles. You know the ones—timeless silhouettes they'll never (ever) purge from their closets.

So whether you're shopping at the moment and looking to add a new versatile pair of shoes to your wardrobe or simply want some shoe shopping recommendations to bookmark and remember later, what's coming your way could be of interest. Keep scrolling to uncover the footwear picks six friends and family members told me will live in their closets forever, complete with a bit of visual inspiration from some of my favorite fashion girls on IG.

Loafers and Ballet Flats

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(Image credit: @carodaur)

"Okay, I'm going to kind of combine two here. I'd never get rid of my classic black loafers or my ballet flats. They're comfortable and can make anything—even a casual outfit—feel sophisticated." — Nancy

Chunky-Heel Mules

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(Image credit: @basicstouch)

"I rely on mules that are flat or with a solid heel for comfort. They go with jeans, skirts, or trousers and can amp up an outfit." — Marie

Strappy Sandals

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(Image credit: @greceghanem)

"You can't go wrong with a pair of strappy sandals in a neutral color. While they're an ideal choice to complete a formal look, they also look cool with more casual items also. I'll never part with the style." — Melissa

Wedges

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(Image credit: @alyssainthecity. Shop the Paloma Wool Wedges ($190))

"I love my wedges in the summer months so I can be just a bit taller, but still dance all day in the sun. Always my go-to." — Hanna

Platform Sandals

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(Image credit: @annelauremais)

"For summer, platform sandals are my standby. They are super comfy and elevate any summer outfit." — Megan

Black Booties

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(Image credit: @annabelrosendahl)

"I would absolutely never get rid of my trusty black booties. They're timeless and a staple." — Kathryn

Next, 9 Major Shoe Trends That Will Be Everywhere This Spring.

This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Bobby Schuessler
Market Director

Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent over seven years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retialers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises. He has also worked across a variety of other media brands and fashion retailers like Refinery29, PureWow, Men's Health, and Gilt covering commerce, trend reporting, women's and men's fashion, home, and lifestyle.