5 Must-have Shoes For 2025

5 February 2025

Tips & Advice

As a personal stylist, I find that every part of the outfit is important – not just the clothes themselves. The bags and accessories we choose, what coat goes over our look and the shoes on our feet that tie it all together.

When I conduct a Wardrobe Edit, I notice many clients struggling with the final piece of the puzzle – shoes. They can make or break an outfit and many of us are in need of more versatile options.

It’s great to step into a new year with some more stylish footwear options at your disposal. Here are 5 styles that I think we all should own and am always suggesting on a Wardrobe Edit.

Dark brown boots reformation — Reformation dark brown boots

Brown boots from Sezane — Sezane mid brown boots

Light brown boots Next — Next light brown Boots

1. Coloured boots

Most of us have a black boot already, which is great, but don’t have one in another colour. Not every outfit goes with black nor does it suit us all. Some of us enjoy pairing different colours together in our clothing and for that we need a little more choice of footwear to go with it.

Brown is a great shade that I think is pretty classic. Mocha mousse was voted the Pantone colour of the year so why not embrace it in 2025? Dark chocolate brown feels sultry and chic, a warm mid brown gives 70’s boho vibes and a light beige or tan can be a great barely there shade that lets the rest of your outfit shine.

As always with shoes, if you can pair that footwear with your belt, bag and coat, you’ve carefully curated a thoughtful outfit that shows you know what you’re doing. And by choosing a colour other than black, you’re breaking away from the crowd with individuality.

Yellow Gola trainers on Anthropologie — Gola on Anthropologie yellow trainers

Trainers Alohas on Free People — Alohas on Free People pink trainers

Trainers are Pumas on Urban Outfitters — Puma on Urban Outfitters green trainers

2. Coloured trainers

Whilst having a white trainer is a versatile and useful must-have, last year saw many of us injecting more colour on our feet as well. The foot is a great place for that colour pop as it feels a bit less scary than a jumper for example. And wearing colourful shoes, bags and accessories with a neutral outfit is a great way to add splashes of conversational ice breakers.

Think of what tones make you smile and go for that. What’s the point of buying something that doesn’t make you happy? I personally love red and enjoy wearing it against leopard print, a pattern very much on trend last year (hooray for me). You can even buy a leopard print trainer and have that against an all denim look if you like. Play around with your colour matching and get creative with your kicks this year!

Ballet flats Zara — Zara brown lace-up ballet flats

Mesh ballet flats Free People — Free People red mesh ballet flats

Ballet flats Pull & Bear — Pull & Bear cow print ballet flats

3. Funky flats

The ballet flat came back into fashion in a big way last year and definitely isn’t going anywhere. It’s been given a current reboot with grunge embellishments like studs and buckles, fun textures like mesh and velvet and straps to hold your foot in.

In these past few years, many of my clients say that comfort is important to them but of course without compromising on style. Fashion I believe has shifted to accommodate that which is why we are seeing more shoes that both look and feel good.

Pairing your feminine flat with jeans can make the shoe feel less girly, adding some edge. Opting for a skinny jean/leggings (sorry Gen Z) with that ballet shoe is the perfect nod to Audrey Hepburn’s timeless bohemian chic that made her a fashion icon. Or why not try the trendy barrel leg for an artistic silhouette?

H&M silver kitten heeled sling-backs — H&M silver sling-back kitten heels

Clog heels Sezane — Sezane tan chunky heeled clogs

Green slingback heels from Bobbies — Bobbies green sling-back block heels

4. Comfortable heels

There are occasions in life which call for dressing up and worth withstanding a heel for. That may be once a year but no one wants to be running around last minute looking for a pair of heels. It has become more important to get more wear out of your items, so think of versatility before purchasing. It’s good to have heels that you can be comfortable for a while and go with multiple looks.

The slingback with a low block or kitten heel is a retro fave you can’t really go wrong with. There’s quite a few of these around at the moment for that 60’s girl glam. You could take some Chanel inspo and pair them with a sweet tweed suit and tights for that office siren feel.

Personally I like to have a metallic heel, funky colour, classic black and nude. Metallics are perfect for weddings and I do suggest you have a matching bag and jewellery at the ready also!

And remember to match the shoe buckle to your other metals like your belt buckle, watch, jewellery etc as you’ll really look like you know what you’re doing.

Black fisherman sandals Oliver Bonas — Oliver Bonas black fisherman sandals

Brown sandals from Next — Next brown chunky sandals

Sandals from Dr.Martens — Dr.Martens tan lace up sandals

5. Nice sandals

Summer always feels quite short in the UK but we don’t want to be caught short when it does finally arrive. Many of us find Winter easier to dress for but you shouldn’t let the seasons limit your style.

We should have a ‘nice sandal’ (not a flipflop or slider) we’d be happy to take from day to night and don’t hurt our feet. Leather look if possible with some nice shiny hardware. A black, white and brown are always the main sandal staples you’ll want at least one of. You’ll thank me in July.

If you’d like my help to personally identify the shoe styles that you need to look out for, please do get in touch to arrange a session with me.