7 Year-Round Essential Shoes to Include in Your Capsule Wardrobe, No Matter Your Style

If you're looking to create a capsule wardrobe from scratch or declutter your current wardrobe, shoes are a great place to start!

The 7 year-round styles listed below can easily make up the base or the entirety of a minimalist's shoe closet.

These shoes are practical, timeless and easy to pair, no matter your personal style. And best of all, they can easily be worn for most seasons.

7 Shoe Essentials Every Woman Should Own

1. White or Off-White Athleisure Sneakers

Anyone's wardrobe, no matter one's fashion personality, can and should include a sleek athleisure sneaker. That is, a less sporty, minimal tennis shoe that can easily be worn with jeans, a little black dress, or a suit.

I often suggest a white or off-white leather option to my clients. These are easier to clean and wear year-round. Light beige styles can work well too.

Bonus points if they're supportive and you can also use them as walking shoes when travelling!

2. Black Ballet Flats

Timeless and easy to dress up or down, a black leather, suede or even patent ballet flat makes an easy essential shoe in any woman's shoe closet!

Ballet flats are the current go-to It Girl shoe, but have been a shoe closet staple for literal decades. Try out a square-toe style to get ahead of the curve, or an Audrey Hepburn-esque classic almond toe style.

3. Classic loafers

A must-have shoe that most of us wear everyday (or alternate with sneakers) are closed-toe flats like loafers as they offer more support than ballet flats. Most styles are easy to incorporate in business casual and professional looks as well.

Although loafer designs can differ with seasonal trends, the classic designs will never go out of style. In 2025 any and every loafer style is trending.

The ones I currently recommend are either horsebit loafers, classic penny loafers or those with a slight platform or lug sole. Since you already have black ballet flats, you can change things up with loafers in a burgundy or brown color.

4. Neutral Pumps

I bought my Nine West black suede pointy stiletto pumps 15 years ago and these heels still look current and fabulous with almost any outfit!

The current pump aesthetic is a slingback with a kitten heel with a pointed or squared toe, but I'd suggest going for a classic black, beige or nude-for-you pump with a mid-size heel for maximum versatility.

And remember: the comfier your heels are, the more mileage you'll get out of them. So choose heels that provide arch support and are padded under the toe box.

5. Black Ankle Boots

Don't worry, you don't need to go sky-high with your booties! You can choose between a 2-3 inch block for a more casual style, or slim heel in a black leather finish for an elevated look.

Ankle boots that are taller and more fitted through the ankle can easily go from day to night and look great with any length of skirt and pant width.

Stretchy ankle boots, aka socks boots are also a good alternative if the look and feel is more for you.

If your wardrobe consists of warmer tones you can even choose a dark brown, tan or cream colored ankle boot, or choose one of these hues for a second pair. A flat or low-heeled Chelsea boot also makes a great staple for those with more casual lifestyles.

6. Neutral Heeled Sandals

When it's too warm for pumps or you want to show off a fancy pedicure, heeled sandals are a great fit for any shoe capsule.

Like with the ankle boots, you don't need to go sky high. Stick to a basic block heel or mid-size or short stiletto with a minimalist strap over the toes and around the ankle.

Choose a skin-tone matching sandal if you want to elongate your legs. Black, gold or even off-white are also great go-with everything shades for sandals too.

7. Knee High Boots

For those who wear more dresses, skirts and even leggings or skinny jeans, adding knee boots to your shoe rotation is an easy way to change the look of the same outfit.

If your ankle boots are black, you can try a dark brown or tan shade for your taller boots, or vice-versa.

Your lifestyle and location can dictate whether your knee boot type is more casual like a riding boot, or a more elevated style with a sleek high heel. You can even find insulated waterproof versions at La Canadienne and Blondo.

You Have Your Core Shoes–Now What?

These 7 essential shoes should give you a great base for your shoe closet. If you're a die-hard minimalist, choosing hybrid insulated/waterproof styles to is the way to go.

Since these shoes are classics, make sure you clean and store them properly so they can live up to their timelessness!

Although some of us won't even need 7 pairs of shoes in our closets, many of us will likely need more–like those of us living is seasonal climates with extreme high and lows or enjoy he likes of the gym, beach or the dance floor!

If you'd like to deviate from, or add to the base color suggestions above, take a look at my list of neutral shoe colors for more color ideas!

xo Cristina

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