Like Carrie Bradshaw, I own too many pairs of shoes, which is why I decluttered my collection recently. I took a systematic approach, sorting my footwear into toss, donate, or keep piles—and for the keepers, I drew inspiration from those around me.
While that did include rapid-fire texting my mom photos of boots and flats, it also meant simply stepping outside—because living in the Big Apple is a master class in fashion. One walk around town and the best shoe brands revealed themselves, showing me what to keep and—who am I kidding—what I needed to add in once I pared it down.
For the latter, designer labels like The Row and Jude made the cut, while accessible ones like Dolce Vita reminded me why I gravitated toward the brand in the first place. But don’t just take it from me. Cool NYC girls are also signing off on the below five labels, affirming their place in the style landscape.
Whether you’re streamlining your footwear curation or looking to elevate your collection, you’re not going to want to skip out on the popular shoe brands being spotted all over NYC.
The Row
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen knew what they were doing when they founded The Row. The upscale American fashion brand is home to timeless silhouettes that hinge on understated elegance. The minimal detailing and absence of logos is the definition of quiet luxury, keeping the label in if-you-know-you-know territory.
Shop The Row Shoes
Aeyde
Berlin-based Aeyde focuses on understated luxury and enduring quality, delivering chic designs accented with thoughtful details like buckles, pull tabs, and hidden red stitching. With clear pricing, responsibly sourced materials, and mindful consumption at its core, it’s a label that commands attention.
Shop Aeyde Shoes
Jude
Sculptural and minimalist, Jude is the new kid on the block, having launched in 2024. The label’s designs are simple with a twist, keeping you on your toes and already showing up on the feet of Hollywood’s elite. Produced in Portugal, the brand is known for its quality Italian and French leathers.
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Madewell
Madewell may come as a surprise, but a closer look at its footwear collection reveals an upgrade in design—and NYC cool girls are taking notice. With 100%-leather construction, high vamps, and covert gold accents, this major evolution has already sent its shoes flying off the virtual shelves.
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Dolce Vita
While not an underground label, Dolce Vita has become a staple in It girls’ closets. The NYC-based brand delivers trendy, stylish, and affordable footwear worthy of closet space.
Shop Dolce Vita Shoes
