The Shoes SF Girls Never Wear

Living in a city comes with its own set of fashion rules, especially when that city is San Francisco—a place famous for its tall hills. Curious to find out how fashion girls navigate the tricky terrain and still manage to pull off cool looks, we reached out to four stylish SF girls to break down the shoes they wear (and the ones they stay away from).

It turns out that comfort is king in San Francisco, but with a focus on fashionable footwear. From pointed mules and slides to sneakers and ankle boots, there are a number of stylish options to combat the tricky landscape challenges. And if you’re not ready to give up on something with height, block heels are the answer for a comfortable choice. Keep reading to find out the shoes San Francisco girls would never wear, and then shop their city-friendly picks.

“I would never wear stilettos. After being a San Franciscan for over eight years now, it’s safe to say that four inches are not my forte. Between all the walking we do in the city and the tame nightlife, they just aren’t practical in my closet. Plus, I am all about comfort when it comes to what I slide on my feet (much to their delight). My shoe purchases tend to resonate with the effortless, laid-back California style.” — Ashley Kane, blogger of Brunch on Chestnut

“Shoes in San Francisco can be tricky; the girls here are all super stylish, but the hilly landscape challenges us shoe lovers. I don’t like to use the word ‘never’ when it comes to fashion, but for me, I am shying away from any shoe that is too uncomfortable. I love that the mule and block heels are in right now. I am also loving loafers and the lace-up sandal; so comfy and chic!” — Ariana Lauren, influencer @arianalauren

“Fashion in San Francisco is very individual. It’s a very free-spirited city. For me, getting dressed for the city always comes back to being comfortable. You are always walking up or down a hill or maneuvering through crowds. One shoe style I never really wear is strappy or lace-up sandals, or anything too open. What I really love are statement ankle boots. I love really cool hardware details. Ankle boots are really practical for walking, but they can also take you from day to night.” — Amy Flynn, creative director of Blue Jeans and Dreams

“I would never wear cork wedges. I don’t find them to be comfortable or stylish. For the height they offer, they don’t give the same elongating look like that of the classic heel. I love wearing sneakers around SF. I need a shoe that won’t limit how long I can explore the city. When you’re trekking up and down hills, they come in pretty handy.” — Haley Titus, graphic designer, blogger and photographer of Colour Me Classic

Is anyone else in the mood to go shoe shopping now?