That’s right, shoes part 1. There will be a part 2. I mean how could I not break essential shoes up into two lists? This part one includes the all important classic black shoe. I decided to break out essential shoes into black and nude, since those can usually get you through any outfit you can come up with. 

Lately (in fact I think 90% of my January outfits have featured a black boot or heel) I’ve been reaching for my classic black pumps or booties. They complete so many outfits. An outfit can fall a part if you don’t have the right base. Shoes are always the last thing I want to invest in, but always the first things I reach for over and over again. Below I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite shoes or shoe styles that I consider to be essentials in my closet from fall to summer and all year round. If I’m going to invest, then I’m going to look for quality in material and construction (typically leather for material) so that I can not only get lots of wear out of my shoes but also keep them for a long time. For instance, my black heels that I wear a lot are such a classic shape and style that I can hopefully keep for many years. 
It was also quite hard to limit myself to what styles I really consider an investment. I mean there are a lot of shoes out there so I looked to my past posts to see what I truly get the most wear out of. Granted you never see me in flats on here but I wear them a lot outside of the blog. Got to keep things real. 😉
7 shoes to consider when investing in your closet:
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From the top:
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What is the essential black shoe (or shoes) in your closet? 

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99 Responses

  1. my current black shoe essentials are pointed flats from steve madden, pointy heels from zara and sam edelman ankle boots with a slight heel!

    xx, valerie @ lilyonfillmore.com

  2. Love this! I live in Nova Scotia and I would add Sorels to the list for the coldest and snowiest winter days. These are all great picks!

  3. I’m all about those neutral colors. Love those Madewell boots. And a rockin’ pair of flats seems to be a closet no-brainer! Love it.

  4. I love a rounded toe black pump for tights & skirt/dress in the winter and a pointy toe pump in the warmer months for bare leg dresses and work pants. You can never have too many black (or nude) shoes!

  5. Tieks are the best flats I have ever owned and are worth the price! Everyone should own at least one pair. The only bad thing is they can only be purchased online, so you can’t try them on. After buying my first pair, I will not waste a dime on any other flat. Try a pair– you won’t be disappointed.

  6. My Born Crown black ankle boots. I wear them at least three times a week all fall and winter.

  7. Really beautiful shoes.
    I need a new flat, Id rather buy an over the knee boot.
    priorities.

  8. I have a pair of black flat knee-high boots, and I wear them allllll winter long. Unfortunately they’re starting to scuff on the toes!

  9. I think I would have to go with a knee high boot. Mainly because I keep getting Sabrina the Teenage witch flash backs of those pvc over the knee boots that came up mid thigh? haha Of course, the ones you picked out are far more gorgeous. But I just can’t shake the fear of me looking a little too much like I have just rocked out of an 80s glam rock band . . .

    and I’d sorta want to double up in brown since I have a softer wardrobe palette 🙂 I love this series though, very cool can’t wait for part 2!
    jess xx

  10. What do you suggest for someone falls and has trouble finding comfortable shoes? I don’t like to wear heels. But I love how they look.

  11. I agree with all of these! I actually have 2 types of black pump, a thicker heel like above and stiletto. I honestly LOVE this series, Kendi. I'm in the point in my life where I'm moving around a bit and need to only keep essentials… this is really helping me keep my closet at a minimum but with efficiency. Thank you! xx

    http://www.chevronsandeclairs.com

  12. my current black shoe essentials are pointed flats from steve madden, pointy heels from zara and sam edelman ankle boots with a slight heel!

    xx, valerie @ lilyonfillmore.com

  13. Love this! I live in Nova Scotia and I would add Sorels to the list for the coldest and snowiest winter days. These are all great picks!

  14. I love a rounded toe black pump for tights & skirt/dress in the winter and a pointy toe pump in the warmer months for bare leg dresses and work pants. You can never have too many black (or nude) shoes!

  15. Tieks are the best flats I have ever owned and are worth the price! Everyone should own at least one pair. The only bad thing is they can only be purchased online, so you can't try them on. After buying my first pair, I will not waste a dime on any other flat. Try a pair– you won't be disappointed.

  16. My Born Crown black ankle boots. I wear them at least three times a week all fall and winter.

  17. Your pictures are gorgeous! I just started blogging myself, and would really appreciate it if you could check mine out in any free time you have! I post about travel, yoga, meditation, health and fitness, beauty, and more. I would love to stay in contact with you.. maybe we could follow each other’s blogs? Thank you so much!

    I’d appreciate it if anyone else followed me too 🙂 I just started and I will obviously follow you back !!

    http://lifelation.blogspot.com

  18. Really beautiful shoes.
    I need a new flat, Id rather buy an over the knee boot.
    priorities.

  19. I have a pair of black flat knee-high boots, and I wear them allllll winter long. Unfortunately they're starting to scuff on the toes!

  20. What do you suggest for someone falls and has trouble finding comfortable shoes? I don't like to wear heels. But I love how they look.

  21. I agree that nude and black are definite essentials! When my knee injury healed up enough for me to wear heels again, I scored a black and a nude pair on sale, they are great basics! 🙂

    Away From Blue

  22. Your pictures are gorgeous! I just started blogging myself, and would really appreciate it if you could check mine out in any free time you have! I post about travel, yoga, meditation, health and fitness, beauty, and more. I would love to stay in contact with you.. maybe we could follow each other's blogs? Thank you so much!

    I'd appreciate it if anyone else followed me too 🙂 I just started and I will obviously follow you back !!

    http://lifelation.blogspot.com

  23. Great post!! Is it bad that when I think about what I would choose for a new black shoe my mind automatically jumps to leopard? Looking forward to Part Duece!!

  24. I agree that nude and black are definite essentials! When my knee injury healed up enough for me to wear heels again, I scored a black and a nude pair on sale, they are great basics! 🙂

    Away From Blue

  25. I learned this lesson about shoes the same way I did about bags: I’d buy a super cheap pair that I loved and a week later they were completely shot and I’d have to throw them out.

    My secret now is ebay – you can find TONS of classic styles in real leather from great designer brands for a lot less than you’d normally pay. I recently bought a pair of suede Via Spiga wedge booties for $50 and they are goooooooorgeous.

  26. I’ve been searching for a classic black pump that isn’t a stiletto and those J. Crew ones hit the mark! This list is great! I would also add Steve Madden’s patent flats. They are my go-to when I know I’m going to be on my feet all day and heels or boots aren’t options.
    xoox Allie / Joy and Ivy

  27. Great post!! Is it bad that when I think about what I would choose for a new black shoe my mind automatically jumps to leopard? Looking forward to Part Duece!!

  28. I learned this lesson about shoes the same way I did about bags: I'd buy a super cheap pair that I loved and a week later they were completely shot and I'd have to throw them out.

    My secret now is ebay – you can find TONS of classic styles in real leather from great designer brands for a lot less than you'd normally pay. I recently bought a pair of suede Via Spiga wedge booties for $50 and they are goooooooorgeous.

  29. when you do nude, feel free to pick nudes in darker shades as well for diverse skin tones!!! 🙂

    was that a shameless plug to ask for help? maybe….

  30. I've been searching for a classic black pump that isn't a stiletto and those J. Crew ones hit the mark! This list is great! I would also add Steve Madden's patent flats. They are my go-to when I know I'm going to be on my feet all day and heels or boots aren't options.
    xoox Allie / Joy and Ivy

  31. when you do nude, feel free to pick nudes in darker shades as well for diverse skin tones!!! 🙂

    was that a shameless plug to ask for help? maybe….

  32. Kendi, you have such great taste!! Love them all, especially the over the knee boots!! I’m thinking I might spoil myself and get a pair. But before I get them, I wanted to ask you if they were comfortable and true to size? Thanks.

  33. Kendi, you have such great taste!! Love them all, especially the over the knee boots!! I'm thinking I might spoil myself and get a pair. But before I get them, I wanted to ask you if they were comfortable and true to size? Thanks.

  34. I love the shoes, and this is a great way to organize them. On a different note, I would really love it if your posts were readable in Feedly/other RSS aggregators. Pretty please 🙂

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