what are the "universal" shoe basics?

[jitterbugbaby]

There are plenty of articles out there about what all women "should" have in their closets: classic black slacks, a well-tailored crisp white Oxford shirt, a nicely fitted pair of basic blue jeans, etc.

Well, what would you say are the shoe equivalents?

I'll suggest a few:

--basic leather knee high boots (one black, one brown)
--classic black pumps
--slip-on flat (for running errands and getting the paper--may be sporty, chic, elegant, whatever goes with your style)

What else?

[shoesense]

I add, a pair of everything in both brown and black, to get you covered--pumps, flats, sandals, boots. It's a philosophy that's served me well--this way I'm always well accessorized.

Also, one must have a pair of glam shoes--something you can wear on a special occasion: a wedding (other than your own!), a black tie event, a night at the opera, or a special celebratory event. Those shoes must have something sparkly or at least distinguishable as festive (some ornament, special fabric, etc.).

Sport flats and comfy sandals are also among my basics, too.

And of course, my basics also include a shoe in just about every color you are prone to wearing (you know, just in case!), so I might not exactly represent the voice of reason in that regard. (Ahem). (Yes, no shoe wardrobe is complete without red shoes. And boots. And sandals. Who's with me? Hello?)

[Nemtynakht]

Definitely red. I'm not sure if I own more red shoes than brown, but I certainly wear red shoes more often.

I don't like conservative shoes. I own few pairs of brown shoes (I'm probably too urban, always wearing black!).

I'm going to be thinking about this, but I would think you need casual and dress shoes, for starters. Within dress, you need good flats, practical heels, and impractical heels. Then with casual, you need where-everywhere flats, the sort of thing that looks good with skirts or pants or capris or anything, you need sandals, you need sneakers, and something slip on for travel, at least.

I guess I'm understanding better why it is that I can't comprehend people that make do wtih two or three pairs of shoes since my "must have" list is seven shoes, and I still feel like it's not enough.

[fabae]

I don't even think I could narrow it down to under 10, to be honest with you. There are too many options - slingbacks, peeptoes, wedges, knee-high boots with high heels, knee-high boots with wedge heels. Then you get into colors, which are a necessity as well. Yeah, I'm no help here.

[JuneHawk]

IMO:

-Low heel black knee high boots
-High heel black or brown knee high boots
-Plain black court shoe with a managable heel
-Dressy strappy sandals
-Smart/casual slip ons (not flip flops)
-Sexy red patent leather high heel shoes (preferibly peep toe with ankle strap)
-Comfortable pair of flats.


That's just what I can think of now but I definitely have WAY more than the absolute minimum in my closet :P

June

[VANmiracle]

- black classic high heels
- low heel brown ones
- a few ballettflats in several color combinations
- min. one pair of chic sandals
- some trendy thongs
- converse
- sports sneakers
- MBT (to relax your feet)
- classic flat kneehighboots in brown or black