When it comes to transitioning into spring/summer dressing, there’s one wardrobe item that you can always rely on to instantly bring all your outfits up to date: shoes. That classic blazer, jeans and ankle boots look you haven’t taken off since February? Switch your chunky-soled ankle boots for ballet flats or loafers, and suddenly, you’re sporting a very chic spring look. All of the midi dresses you’ve been wearing knee-highs with? Swap for fisherman sandals, and you’re ready for a cute picnic.
For most of us (myself included), it’s these easy, affordable switches that we lean on to make our wardrobes work as hard as possible. Not only is it cost-effective at a time when we’re all tightening our purse strings, but it’s also a great way to make our wardrobes more versatile and therefore sustainable.
It makes sense, then, that at this transitional time of year, my first purchase of the season tends to be a pair of shoes. Sometimes that’s a classic pair of leather sandals I know I’ll bring out again and again for the next few years, which I’ll likely invest a bit more in for the best quality. But for more trend-led styles that make the rest of my classics feel fresh, I usually head to the high street.
After all, there are so many great options out there (especially this year) that have you covered, from minimalist-approved flats to joyful heels to wear to all those weddings and events you have coming up. There are so many, in fact, that I thought it would be helpful to head to Oxford Street on a research trip and try on as many pairs of spring shoes as I could find to whittle it down to the very best ones to recommend to you.
I have to say, of all the stores I popped into, H&M impressed me most, with a curated edit of perfect styles—from comfy heeled sandals that felt like walking on clouds to the best wedges I’ve seen on the high street. (They may or may not have come home with me.) M&S also really impressed me in the shoe department (no surprises there, I’ve been a long-time fan of its comfortable, excellent-quality footwear.) And, of course, Zara is great for budget-friendly, on-trend options.
Keep scrolling to see and shop the nine styles I came away obsessing over and can’t recommend enough.
I’ve always envied the woman who can teeter around in a strappy, barely-there heel and manage to survive the night, as my sensitive feet can’t go a full day in flats without chafing, but these H&M sandals are a revelation. Not only do they look expensive for their price (£18!), but they have a soft, cushioned, sole and elasticated strap making them a versatile and sensible addition to any shoe collection. The material is super soft, they’re not too high, and I immediately texted one of my friends to boast about this ingenious find. Perfect for the office, parties or special events like weddings. Plus, they also come in white, blue, and pink too.
Frankly, with these colourful options, you’re spoilt for choice.
The perfect heel-height for style and support.
I’ve been looking for the perfect Mary Jane ballet flats ever since Alexa Chung stepped out in Le Monde Beryl, and having since bought two pairs of velvet Vibi Venezia flats, I’ve been hunting out something a little dressier for evening, and I think I’ve found them in this Vincenza pair from Anthropolgie. You can really feel the quality of the supple leather, and they were super comfy walking around the shop. The square toe and bow-tie make them feel like a chic update on the classic, so now the only decision is whether go for gold, cream or orange copper. They’re all equally cute.
These sell-out almost as quickly as they land, so keep your eyes peeled on stock.
That’s right–these really are high-street.
Please forgive the grainy photography, the lighting in Mango might not be the best, but the shoe options most definitely are.The platform flip flop is the perfect spring sandal–comfy, casual but elevated enough to feel a lot more stylish than it’s skinny counterpart. Thank you, The Row, for your services to making the “thong” cool again–thankfully the high-street is catching up and we’ve got a strong option to wear on the beach, in the city, and everywhere in-between.
Just imagine how good these will look with all of your summer dresses.
Trust Zara to turn up the volume and make these feel like a 90’s throwback.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, H&M are really delivering some of the most comfortable shoes on the high street (second only to M&S). These trendy patent wedges feel incredibly current (watch out for the wedge coming through as a breakout trend this summer), and as we’re rediscovering our love for white shoes, this is as good a place as any to start. Is there any easier heel to walk in than the wedge? I think not.
A chic, low-heeled option for the wedge sceptic.
When I saw these for the first time while doing a recent M&S try on, I was immediately taken in by how designer they look. Court shoes have become a little bit dated in recent years, but this pair sport a modern heel that’s not only easy to walk in, but looks good too (trust me, zoom in to get the tortoiseshell finish). Of course, for only £40, the quality of the leather isn’t quite the same as luxury brands, but if you’re after an affordable option to wear to weddings and parties, I cannot recommend these enough.
Add a much needed pop of colour to a neutral outfit with a simple shoe.
It doesn’t get more timelessly elegant than a black court shoe.
Another great pair of chunky heeled sandals for an affordable price. If the word “platform” fills you with dread, these are the shoes I would urge you to try. The height is on the taller end of mid-heel, but is by no means a skyscraper, so you can get a little extra lift without having to worry about your ankles. Sadly these don’t come in a wide-fit option which would have been a nice touch, but when I’m looking for a shoe that I could confidently wear with hosiery, you can bet these are on my list.
Name a better party shoe. I’ll wait…
Once again M&S prove that they can make even a stacked platform heel feel like walking on cushions.
Something’s come over me the last few weeks, and I’m suddenly obsessed with easy slides. Far from the sporty, rubber styles that are often paired with socks, these were my dream pair, especially because I’m a maximalist at heart. Bold, bright, and extremely comfortable for 100% leather. They also come in coral..
Make space in your suitcase for a versatile pair of slides like these. They’ll be the first thing you reach for out of the sea.
Just a puff sleeve dress and a raffia bag.
Chic raffia-look sandals in an expensive-looking design for under £10? You can’t go wrong. While trying these, three different people came up and asked me where I’d found them, so I have a feeling these sandals will sell out quickly. They would look so pretty with an oversized shirt and cropped jeans, or a white dress. Well, any dress really.
Black or cream, Black or cream.. Maybe I’ll just take both.
I told you white shoes were having a moment.
It looks like this exact style is no longer available online, and no surprise. Honestly, these were like walking on clouds. I wasn’t really convinced by the slim loafer before, but after trying these, I now want a pair (and this buttery soft pair, to be exact). But i’ll settle for a simple, horse-bit or chain style that I can wear with a blazer and cigarette trousers to channel Parisian styling.
Say “high-street loafers” and these are the first pair I think of.
Boden are far more than covetable casualwear–there are some truly standout shoes too.
