If you're ready to welcome dress shoes back into your wardrobe, we found the best styles for all occasions and budgets.
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There's much to love about a comfortable pair of sneakers or supportive sandals that complement an entire closet worth of easy summer outfits, but there's nothing quite as satisfying as finding an amazing pair of dress shoes. We may have spent the past two years rarely getting dressed up, but the return to offices, events, and elaborate dinner dates means you'll likely be searching for elevated, elegant footwear for the occasion. Luckily, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Generally speaking, dress shoes don't all fit the same description for silhouette, color, or heel height. That's a good thing because it means the market offers more than one way to wear polished footwear. For instance, those with classic, unfussy style may be pulled toward a penny loafer, while others more daring may choose a strappy sandal with a unique heel shape. With both these types — and many more — in mind, we've compiled the best dress shoes for women ahead, organized into the six common categories they fall into: ballet flats, loafers, pumps, sandals, mules, and booties.
Ballet flats are elegant and classic with a fit that's comfortable and soft — though they're definitely more structured than the dance shoe they're inspired by. And, they pair as well with midi-length dresses or skirts as they do slim-fit denim. Because the style is quite ubiquitous, you'll find it in a range of price points, from mass retailers to luxury brands.
Loafers are another timeless flat silhouette, though they tend to have a bit more edge than dainty ballet flats. The traditional loafer's appearance is unisex and pared-back, with an ever-so-slight lift in the heel. However, some exciting iterations include rich textural materials, chunkier soles, and hardware embellishments.
Pumps instantly elongate the appearance of whoever wears them, no matter how high the heel. The reason is the shoe's low-vamp and (often but not always) pointed-toe shape. A black pump is perhaps the most versatile of all dress shoes, but for something more unexpected, look for alternative neutral tones such as navy blue or leopard print.
For a barely-there option, the modern mule is a great dress-shoe contender. It features an easy slide-on shape in a variety of heel heights and widths, depending on your preference. There are hundreds of options on the market offering on-trend colors and unique textures, making them a creative addition to any tailored 9-to-5 look.
While sandals don't have the year-round appeal of pumps or loafers, they're the best part of summer dressing. Heeled sandals can sometimes skew more ballroom than nightclub, but there are plenty of trendy options to choose from. Opt for neutral colors for sandals with a more complicated or elaborate strap design, or try a simpler silhouette in a statement-making color.
Boots are an entirely separate category of footwear, but a leather (real or faux) bootie can be a great dress shoe option for both day and evening. Opt for a silhouette with slim or block heels for a more streamlined aesthetic that's versatile enough to wear with many different looks.
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