A good shoe should get better the more you wear it. That’s probably why I keep coming back to high-quality leather pairs that can be worn in over time and resoled or repaired as needed.
Exactly one year ago, when I had only just started this newsletter, I published 20 Summer Shoes That Are Made to Last. It remains one of my most-clicked features to date, so with plenty of summer still ahead and a few seasonal sales beginning to appear, I wanted to revisit the subject from a slightly different perspective.
This time, rather than focusing on individual styles, I’m looking at the shoe brands I keep coming back to. These are the names I regularly browse, recommend and return to when I’m looking for timeless designs that can become part of my wardrobe for many summers to come.
Here’s my take on sales: I keep a running wish list throughout the year and make note of the brands I already know and trust. When one of those brands has a sale, I see it as an opportunity to invest in a quality piece that might normally feel like too much of a splurge. Rather than browsing the sale section for just anything to buy, I look for something specific I had already considered buying at full price.
I wouldn’t recommend exclusively shopping during sales or buying something simply because it has been marked down. Sales can easily become an invitation to make impulse purchases, especially when you don’t already know what your wardrobe needs. A discount doesn’t make something a good purchase if you wouldn’t have wanted it otherwise!
Before writing last year’s feature, I asked did an Instagram poll on what mattered most to you when choosing a summer shoe. The most popular answer was wearability — and I couldn’t agree more.
A shoe can be absolutely beautiful, but if you can’t comfortably walk in it, it gives you blisters or your foot constantly slips around inside, you’re just not going to wear it. Especially in New York, where an ordinary day can easily involve 10k steps, including subway stairs, I need shoes I can count on! There are few feelings worse than realizing your shoes hurt when you are still miles from home.
With that in mind, these are the 4 qualities I look for:
01 — Walkability
A summer shoe needs to support an actual day of living, not just look beautiful while standing still. I look for secure straps, comfortable soles, manageable heel heights and shapes that allow the foot to move naturally.
Some leather shoes require a little wearing in, but they should never feel like something you have to suffer through. If I’m already counting down the minutes until I can take them off, I know I won’t reach for them enough to justify the price.
02 — Design
A strong design is essential! I’m usually drawn to classics with a twist: slim silhouettes, refined shapes and thoughtful details that make a shoe feel special without tying it to a specific trend. The goal is something distinctive enough to elevate an outfit, but timeless enough that I’ll still want to wear it several years from now.
03 — Materials
I avoid plastic-based leather completely. I generally prefer real leather because it can soften, develop character and often be conditioned or repaired over time.
I’m also super interested in the growing category of plant-based leather alternatives. I have found several handbag brands experimenting with them (read more about them here), but far fewer footwear brands. Please let me know in the comments if you know one I should explore!
04 — Craftsmanship
I’m always drawn brands that work with experienced shoemakers and specialist factories, particularly those preserving traditional techniques. Many of the brands included in this two-part series produce their shoes in artisan workshops across Italy, Spain and Portugal.
05 — Durability
The construction matters just as much as the material. I look for shoes a cobbler can realistically work with, whether that means protecting or replacing the sole, repairing a strap or replacing worn heel tips. I have some shoes in my closet that I’ve had for 5+ years.
01 — Emme Parsons
Designer Emme Parsons launched her eponymous Los Angeles-based footwear label in 2016. The idea took shape after the birth of her son, inspiring her to turn her background in art direction and graphic design into a timeless, wearable footwear brand. Every pair is made in Italy using traditional shoe making techniques. The brand uses Leather Working Group certified leather across many of its styles.
I’m really drawn to the brand’s refined, chic designs. I tend to prefer slim, delicate silhouettes, so I especially love several of their strappy sandals, including the Cecilia Sandal in black (the white version is currently included in their summer sale) and the Susan Slide in brown.
I also love the Parker Moccasin, which feels especially summery! Compared with a traditional loafer, a moccasin has a softer construction and a thinner, more flexible sole, giving it a lighter and more relaxed feel. For evenings, I also find the black Veneto Heel incredibly chic, it’s currently included in the sale as well. Another pair that’s included in their summer sale is the timeless Flat Mule in chocolate brown.
02 — Dear Frances
Dear Frances is a London-designed footwear brand founded in 2016 by creative director Jane Frances and her husband, Scott O’Connor. The label combines minimalist design with traditional Italian shoemaking. Every pair is handcrafted in Italy by a multi-generational artisan factory. The brand uses fine Italian leathers and locally sourced materials.
Although Dear Frances is known for its popular mesh styles, I personally prefer their leather designs. The brand doesn’t disclose the fiber content of the mesh, I assume it's synthetic. While the sheer material makes sense for the look, I find leather generally holds up better over time and feels more timeless. I love their Gala Ballerina Flat in espresso as well as the black version, as well as the Gio loafer in espresso, plus the black version.
03 — Margaux
You might have seen me sporting Margaux’s Fonteyn Flats in black all summer long already. They’re truly my most comfortable pair of flats, and I didn’t even need to break them in. They were instantly perfect for my feet (a miracle). I just saw that they come in a navy suede version as well, so those have officially been added to my wish list!
I’m very picky about the shape of flats. I never want a ballet flat to be too round. It feels so much more elevated when the toe has a more oval shape. It’s one of those things where, when you see it, you know. An example of a ballet flat that is too round (in my opinion) is Pretty Ballerinas. A great example of a well-shaped, oval flat (besides their Fonteyn one) is their Pascale Ballet Flat.
Anyway, staying on topic! Margaux was founded in New York, but (unfortunately for me and fellow New Yorkers) the brand’s only store is in Los Angeles. The label was launched in 2015 by lifelong friends and Harvard classmates Alexa Buckley and Sarah Pierson. They created Margaux to combine timeless design with comfort and a more inclusive approach to fit, offering extended sizes and multiple widths. Every pair is handmade by artisans at the same family-owned factory in Spain.
Some of the brand’s most popular designs are its woven flats, and for good reason! They are the perfect breathable summer shoe and add an effortless touch to summer outfits. I particularly love the Woven Paz Flat in ecru and in black, as well as the Luna Flat.
04 — A. Emery
A. Emery is a Melbourne-based label founded by womenswear designer Anna McLaren in 2017. The idea began when she couldn’t find a simple, all-black lace-up sandal at an approachable price, inspiring her to launch the brand with six sandal styles. Its sandals are handcrafted in the Delhi region of India, while its boots are made in Veneto, Italy. All of the brand’s footwear uses high-quality leather sourced exclusively through the Leather Working Group.
The Clara Sandal in black or chocolate brown feels like a great wardrobe staple and is probably one of the brand’s best-selling styles, alongside its leather flip-flops, the Kinto Sandals in black, which also come in a chocolate brown version. Another interesting pair I found is the Alta Sandal, which has the same minimal, chic feel with the addition of a single toe loop.
05 — M. Gemi
Italian craftsmanship is at the heart of M.Gemi. The brand’s founder, Maria Gangemi, grew up in Sicily and wanted to support local shoemakers while preserving Italy’s centuries-old craft traditions. All of the brand’s shoes are produced in Italy using leather from Leather Working Group-certified tanneries. Gangemi co-founded M.Gemi with CEO Cheryl Kaplan, and the brand now has offices in Florence, Boston and New York.
A few pairs that stood out to me were the Una Flats, which I believe are among the brand’s most popular styles. They have such a beautiful shape, and I love the delicate strings that cross over the foot! They now come in quite a few colors, but I’m especially drawn to the more muted options, including burgundy, olive green and navy blue.
The Marzia Heel is a beautiful low-heel option if you’re looking for an elegant summer evening shoe. M.Gemi is also currently hosting an end-of-summer sale, and two discounted styles that caught my eye were the Riva Woven Sandal and the timeless Annalisa Sandal.
06 — Bared Footwear
I found out about Bared Footwear at the We Wear Australian concept store in SoHo last week, just in time for this roundup! The label was founded in 2008 by podiatrist Anna Baird, who wanted to bridge the gap between stylish shoes and proper foot support by adding a hidden biomechanical footbed to every pair. Most of the women’s collection is produced by a family-run manufacturer in China, while most of its men’s footwear is handcrafted in Portugal.
For flats, I like the Surfbird Ballet Flat in chocolate brown, as well as the woven version of the same style and the Whip Braided Leather Ballet Flat in black. If you’re looking for a dressier summer shoe, the Sibia Suede & Leather Closed-Toe Heels in chocolate brown are stunning!
I also spotted a few timeless loafer options, like the Chauna Leather Loafers in chocolate brown, and I also like the tan suede version. Lastly, the Maleo Leather Loafers in navy feel incredibly timeless. I love the idea of a dark blue loafer worn with jeans!
I hope this edit helped you discover a new brand, find a pair that fills a wardrobe gap or simply become a little more intentional about the shoes you choose. The goal isn’t to own a massive amount of shoes, but to build a small collection of well-made pairs you can comfortably walk in, care for and return to year after year.
Part 2 for paid subscribers highlighting more niche brands will be coming next! In the meantime, I’d love to know which pair from this edit is your favorite and which shoe brands you keep coming back to? Let me know in the comments!
See you next week and thank you so much for reading my newsletter,
Sarah x
get more slow fashion knowledge, brand recommendations and outfit inspiration on Instagram. Always feel free to DM me, I’d love to hear from you!
p.s. my founding member tier now includes a one-hour digital closet consultation
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