It's official: pumps are so back. Four years after the resurgence of ballet flats, a comeback driven by a need for more comfortable footwear, fashion enthusiasts are returning to more polished, elegant dressing. But despite the cyclical nature of fashion, that desire for comfortable shoes never truly went away—it just took on a different shape. These days, it's all about fashionable pumps you can actually walk in.
I know it's hard to believe, but they do exist, and Naturalizer offers more than 150 styles in every size and width from 5 medium to 12 extra-wide. The brand's pump shop has all the latest trends, from slingbacks to cap-toe and pointed-toe silhouettes, and they're all comfortable enough to strut around the city in. The secret? Naturalizer's signature Contour+ footbed, which is designed to fit your foot's unique shape. I could go on, but I've enlisted our fashion director, Michaela Bushkin, to do all of the talking. This week, she test-drove three Naturalizer styles, and I got to see them all in action at the office. Read on for her unfiltered review.
The outfit breakdown: "Accessories are key to personalizing an outfit, especially if it's on the simpler side, like this all-black leather look. Calf or pony-hair pieces are trending this fall, as is an array of animal prints, so I was immediately drawn to these brown zebra-print pumps. They strike the ideal balance of being professional for the workplace and chic for an evening out, not to mention they make my look 100 times more fun. I added a leopard-print clutch the second I left the office because why have one animal print when you can have two?"
The styling advice: "These zebra-print pumps speak for themselves. I can wear something as simple as jeans and a white T-shirt, and these pumps will instantly take my outfit from basic to interesting. I can wear these from the office straight to dinner anywhere in NYC. I don't even need to change my shoes because the cushioning, arch support, and shock absorption mean I can clock serious hours (and steps!) in my pumps."
Michaela's approach to pumps: "I have enough black shoes in my collection, so I'm opting for fun colors, prints, and materials this season. I like to stay in the two-to-three-inch heel range, but anything else is fair game: slingback, extra pointy toe, chunky heel, and more."
The outfit breakdown: "My go-to outfit in the fall is jeans and a blazer, so I like to play with accessories to keep it from feeling stale. Think a statement bag, chunky necklace, sleek eyewear, and of course, these stylish pumps. I love the gray and green color palette of this outfit—it's so luxe."
The styling advice: "Here we have a classic style in a fall-friendly color and material. I can't wait to wear these olive heels with tights and a cocktail dress to upcoming events, but in the meantime, I can throw these on with denim (like I did here), trousers, or a miniskirt and let the shoes do the talking. Also, if you needed a sign to stop buying every shoe in black, this is it."
Michaela's advice for busy New Yorkers: "Living in NYC means I'm always on the go. I could be in three different outfits and five different neighborhoods all in one day (it sounds crazy, but it happens more often than you'd think). Never leave home without a phone charger, always know the best coffee shop nearby, and wear comfortable shoes if you're going farther than five blocks. I'm a heels girl to my core—I feel so much cuter and more confident in them—so when I find ones I can actually walk miles in, I'm immediately sold."
The outfit breakdown: "I'm very selective about which trends I buy into—not every trend is for everyone—but I'm almost always going to try a color trend. It's easy because you can choose styles you're already drawn to and silhouettes you know suit you. I like this palette in particular because it's just the right amount of bold. The fact that my bag and pumps are coordinated in the most gorgeous berry color is *chefs kiss*."
The styling advice: "I was immediately drawn to the unique toe and heel shape on these pumps—it makes them both bold and timeless. If you're someone who wears a lot of neutrals, this shoe is for you. The cranberry color somehow goes with everything—black, brown, navy… the list goes on."
Michaela's fall wardrobe plans: "Come fall, I'm swapping out my thong kitten heels and strappy sandals for pumps. It's nearly impossible to find styles that are both fashionable and comfortable—you usually have to sacrifice one or the other. These pumps manage to do both effortlessly, and the best part is, they require zero break-in time."
