I Aggressively Decluttered My Footwear Last Year—A Few I Cut, And 5 I've Added

The zen that followed my 2023 shoe-culling was so noteworthy, I actually wrote a story about it. It was a year ago that I created my little footwear capsule of just a handful of pairs, and they did a fantastic job of getting me through fall and winter. I was still on the hunt for chic flats when the story went live, bringing the total to six pairs—but otherwise, my hit list included classic Sambas, some everyday black ankle boots, riding boots, kitten-heeled boots, and low slingbacks.

All have these proved to be excellent investments, and most are still in rotation for this season. We have had a couple of retirements: Those OG Sambas are so thrashed they’ve been relegated to rainy day status, and my light brown sling-backs have migrated into my spring/summer wardrobe. There are already a couple of fresh additions to the mix, plus I have my eye on a couple of new pairs of heels as well—but not because the shopping dams have completely burst! I’m just strategically expanding outside of phase one of the footwear capsule (investment neutrals), and getting a little more fun. Here’s what’s made the cut.

New Black Everyday Boots

Last year, I went without a low-heeled pair of black boots as a result of my culling, so it was the first thing on my list this season. There are loads of great options around, but these Massimo Dutti boots are the exact style I shopped—the round toe felt fresh, and the kitten heel is just right.

T-Bar Styles

If you love a Mary Jane but can't quite justify another pair, trending T-straps are the perfect way to mix it up. The low-heeled styles are my personal favorites, with bonus points for a slingback.

Loafer Boots

Honestly, no-one is more surprised that I am that loafer boots are on this list. But when I bought the above pair of Massimo Dutti black ankle boots, I impulse-added this suede pair to my cart and they're so comfortable I've been wearing them non-stop ever since.

Colorful Sneakers

After thrashing the classic OG Sambas in my little footwear capsule last year, I've been ready to inject a little more personality south of my ankles. The thing about colorful sneakers is that you just wear them like a neutral, with absolutely no regard as to whether they "go" with what you're wearing. It works, I promise.

Loafers

As great as those loafer boots are, sometimes you just want to have a little sock moment. I recently rediscovered these Gucci Horsebit brown velvet loafers that were hiding at the top of my closet, and they're as good as ever—which is exactly what I told myself when I was justifying the purchase, so I love that for me.