Over the past week, I've noticed a series of my colleagues wearing seriously chic shoes. Almost every day, I've exclaimed, "Where are they from?" and quickly found that every single person gave me the same answer. As editors, we're often lucky enough to get an early preview of new collections and even test out the styles before release. Now, I can officially share that the highly anticipated Whistles X ESSEN collaboration has arrived.
For Winter 2025, high street hero Whistles has teamed up with ESSEN the Label, a brand dedicated to beautifully crafted footwear. The pairing is a perfect match, bringing together Whistles' aesthetic of timeless, capsule pieces with a contemporary edge, with ESSEN's craftspersonship, which always has longevity in mind. The collection mirrors this with a focus on timeless styles. The six-piece capsule focuses on enduring styles that feature in every great shoe collection, including the ballet flat, the Mary Jane and the classic boot. But each has been given a contemporary twist to bring a dose of modernity to these enduring silhouettes.
ESSEN's eye for detail, paired with the elevated colour palette of Whistles' new season collections, works in harmony to form the timeless styles. The ballet flat retains a soft, rounded toe, with updated colourways of suede chocolate and vibrant plum. The Glove boots were one of the first pairs I spotted this week, paired with a simple knit and jeans, the squared-toe and black leather finish instantly took the simple look to all-new heights. One of my colleagues had paired the Mary Janes with tailored trousers, allowing the sharp toe to peek out as an elegant finish to the look, whilst another sported hers with a midi dress, showing off the directional backless design. All together, the edit makes for a seriously premium-looking shoe collection that I predict will sell out fast.
Keep scrolling to shop the Whistles X ESSEN Collection and shop more shoes our editors really rate.
Shop the Whistles X Essen Collection
A pair of classic black boots will work hard in your wardrobe for years to come.
Lean into the sumptuous palette of the cooler months with these suede brown ballet flats.
Bring a touch of polish to your day and night looks.
The shade and textured leather has all my attention.
Style with jeans, tailoring, dresses and more.
I have a feeling this pair will move fast.
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Sleek and timeless in equal measure.
Year after year, you'll call upon these sleek knee high boots.
This pair is so good, Arket brings them back every year.
This pair also comes in a series of neutrals and vibrant shades.
The stacked heel and embroidery bring a western edge.
These have been on my wish list for a while now.
Elegant from every angle.
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