Today we are kicking of a new regular post where I answer a question from an SnS reader with a particular query, a wardrobe workshop of sorts.

It is inspired by Kristy, a lovely reader of SnS, who contacted me last week with the following question:

“Hi Vanessa!

I have a question for you about shoes that maybe other readers would like to hear your perspective on too.

I’m not a shoe person. I dislike shoe shopping and shoe storage and like to have a few great pairs that I can favour. What do you find most comfortable & practical as a mum throughout the seasons?

I’d love to have, say, 4 pairs to get me through the year, plus special outfit/occasion exceptions.

Thanks, Kristy.”

Firstly, a big thank you Kristy. I love a wardrobe challenge!

Secondly, I should say I am most definitely a shoe person and my shoe collection is, ahem, considerable. I think this is partly because during my back to back years of pregnancy and feeding three babies, while my body shape fluctuated, my feet remained (relatively) the same. As a result, I continued to buy shoes during these times as they were an easy and satisfying fashion option.  Ditto scarves and bags.

Oh, and I also love shoes.

However, despite this, there are definitely shoes that I consider essential (the test of which is what I pack when I go away) and shoes that I wear with more frequency than others.

So here it is, my 5 essential shoes. I have added an extra as I like the number 5 and to factor in work or occasion shoes.

1. Comfortable, Every Day Sandals.

If I had to choose one pair of sandals, I would recommend either a pair of Salt Water Sandals, Birkenstocks or Mox for the summer months/mild weather.

If I had to pick one colour (gosh, this is pushing me well beyond my comfort zone!), I would choose a neutral shade that goes with the majority of my wardrobe. For me, that would probably be silver or white. For others, that might be tan/brown, navy or black.

Birkenstocks offer more arch support and are the shoes I always wore for a full day of sightseeing in the old days when I used to visit European cities in my spare time. My feet love Birkenstocks and with a great selection of colours and styles, you should be able to find something that suits your foot and your existing wardrobe.

I like the Madrid style but more recently have been buying the Gizeh style. Colour wise, I have red & olive patent, silver and blue metallic and white matte. I probably wear the red patent the most often. I really like the black patent as well. There are plenty of neutral options to choose from too.

As many of you know, I am a massive fan of Salt Water Sandals which I like for their colours, styles and comfort. They are less expensive than Birkenstocks but probably wouldn’t stand up to a day of hard core walking/sightseeing as they don’t have the arch support.

Having said that, I do find them comfortable and functional for every day wear at home and around the traps.

Several friends who don’t/can’t wear Salt Water Sandals rave about Mox. I haven’t a pair myself but I think they look great and friends who wear them rate them as very comfortable and say they ventilate well. Mox are great value at $40-$50 a pair and also come in great colours, from size 34 to 43.

2. Trainers

I live in my trainers over the winter months. I throw them on with yoga pants or jeans. I have even been known to wear them a denim skirt (but no socks) and a dress/leggings as seen on the blog here.

I generally wear Converse although again, they don’t have great arch support so I can’t wear them all day every day. Unfortunately my feet are too wide for the trainers I like such as Adidas or Tigers. I wear proper (read expensive) runners for exercise and going to the gym.

Colour wise, I have silver, yellow, pink and red Converse. I probably get the most wear out of my pink ones (I love the contrast of the pink against black or denim) but others might find a grey/silver, white, black or navy more practical.

3. Flat Boots

My boot collection grew significantly last winter with the addition of a couple of fabulous pairs of ankle boots. Of all my pairs, however, it is a pair of flat tan Sambag boots that I wear the most. I do love to wear my heeled ankle boots at night and to work but for me, they are not an every day, around the traps option.

If you are investing in a pair of flat boots this season, a pair of on trend flat ankle boots such as these Jacinta Ankle boots from Country Road, are probably the way to go. Check out Seed Femme and Sambag as they also usually have a good range of winter boots.

If I had to pick a colour, black or tan are probably the best basics. If you have those bases covered, perhaps a grey or leopard skin for a bit of interest but ultimately, whatever will work with the rest of your existing wardrobe. I have a pair of pink suede desert boots which you will no doubt be seeing this winter.

4. Ballet Flats

I have many, many pairs of ballet flats which I wear all through Autumn and Spring with jeans, skirts & dresses.

I have round toe and pointy toe ballet flats; metallic, leopard skin, snakeskin, leather, canvas and patent ballet flats. I even have pairs with polka dots and prints. I find them effortlessly chic and endlessly versatile across home, work and everything in between. They have also withstood the fickleness of fashion and some pairs I have been wearing for many years.

The ones I wear most often are both from Witchery in seasons past: a silver pair that never say die and a pointed black suede with a side cut out.

Colour wise, if I had to narrow it down to one pair, I would probably opt for black, tan or silver or a classic combination like this canvas/black design by Seed Femme (above). Again, it will depend on the rest of your wardrobe and the colour of your belts and bags if you like a co-ordinated look.

If you like your ballet flats with a bit of colour and texture (metallic, ponyskin, leather and snakeskin), head over to Sambag’s summer sale. They have a great variety of colours and sizes still available at significantly reduced prices.

5. Wedge

Being reasonably tall, I have never really needed to wear sky high heels and only occasionally wear stiletto or block heels to special/formal events.

When I need a bit of height but a shoe I can wear all day, I always head to a pair of wedges.

For summer, if I had to choose one wedge, I’d opt for a nude wedge, along the lines of these Nine West Wedges (below). If you can wear patent, I’d go for a patent nude wedge to cover evening and dressier occasions.

In winter, my wedge of choice is usually a grey, black or navy closed toe wedge in either suede or patent. I have a great black suede pair from Django & Juliette (worn previously on the blog here) which are super comfortable.

I also have a pair of Zara black patent closed toe wedges which I bought 6 years ago in New York City which are still going strong and look the business with a patent black belt/bag combo.

What is your essential shoe? What would you add or delete from the list above? 

Do you have a wardrobe workshop question? Feel free to comment below in this post or contact me via Facebook. I look forward to workshopping all our wardrobe quandaries!