21 of the Coolest Shoe Brands Every Girl Should Know

After trying and testing endless pairs of high street and designer shoes here at Who What Wear UK, we know which brands are worth investing in — whether you’re looking for a new pair of trainers or an out-there party shoe. While we’re all obsessed with adding to our shoe collections and trying new trends, we’re all about buying into a pair of shoes that will have longevity and we will want to wear over and over. We have put together a list of the 21 shoe brands that have never let us down, from the designer classics that are still serving up timeless favourites to the high street brands our editors think are the best. 

There is also an extensive line up of new designers that have appeared on our radar over the past year. By Far, Neous and Cult Gaia are just a few of the contemporary designers that have taken over Instagram and sparked a number of new trends, including square toe sandals and statement mules. 

So to make things easier for you, we’ve narrowed down the best shoe brands for all your different needs, from flat shoes to boots, party shoes to the most affordable brands. Keep scrolling to shop all the categories and find your perfect pair. 

Best For Trends

2/22

Cult Gaia were initially known for its arc basket bags that went viral last summer, and now has introduced shoes that are just as special. All the pieces have a holiday feel, and range from super high bamboo heels to leather gladiator flats. 

3/22

Contemporary shoe brand Neous’ styles are simple yet radical and are all at an entry level designer price. These 90s mules are just one of its many cool styles. 

4/22

Jacquemus has been creating many of the shoe trends that you see all over Instagram for several seasons now. Sculptural heels? That’s Jacquemus. 

5/22

Rejina Pyo is known for getting a slingback and a mule oh-so right. These perfect lady-like shoes are always given an added cool girl twist with metal sculptural heels, square toes and thong straps.

Best For Flat Shoes 

6/22

Bally are arguably the best for flats — The super-sized buckle makes these classic loafers really distinctive, while the optional push-down backs ensure these give you all the comfort you want from a flat shoe. The hardest choice is picking which of their endless colours is right for you. 

7/22

St. Agni is an Australian brand that launched in 2014 and reflects the care-free culture of Byron Bay. The super comfortable woven leather flats and slides are the perfect shoe to wear day in day out when the warmer months arrive.  

8/22

Jil Sander knows how to make flat shoes as desirable as any statement stiletto. With the addition of the ankle bracelet, these square toe flats are smart enough to wear for any occasion and might make you want to ditch the heels for good. 

9/22

Every wardrobe needs a pair of ATPs. They are the kind of flats that simply go with everything. From crossover leather sandals to slip on flat mules, their simplicity makes them super chic. 

Best For Boots 

10/22

A firm favourite with the likes of Lucy Williams, Berlin-based shoe brand Aeyde absolutely nails it when it comes to boots. From western ankle boots to suede knee-highs, they are simple and effortless yet always on trend. 

11/22

Gianvito Rossi are a firm celebrity favourite and are renowned for their timeless stilettos. Without realising it, you’ll have already seen them in hundreds of catwalk and red carpet pictures already. But over the past year, their boot collections have stood well above the rest. From slouchy knee-highs with a chic 80’s feel to super sexy thigh highs, it has got every style spot on. 

12/22

Oh Ellery. When it comes to boots they absolutely pull it out the bag every season and leave us wanting each new pair. The boots always have a block heel and slight square toe and this silhouette gets better and better every year.

13/22

By Far is an Australian brand that recently broke out on social media. They are loved for their micro bags and square toe sandals, but it really is their boots that have stood out over recent months. From brown croc square-toe boots to this lace up pair, they all are really photogenic and are beyond comfy. 

Best Affordable Brands 

14/22

If you aren’t already familiar with Charles & Keith then we’re about to let you in on one of the best shoe secrets in fashion. Its extensive footwear collections offer modern, stylish and trend-led shoes for a fraction of the price you might expect to pay. 

15/22

Aldo’s premium quality shoes and fashion-forward designs mean you’ll feel like you are wearing a much more expensive shoe then you’d expect from the high street. We personally think they really excel in boots and sandals, as they always tick off all the big seasonal trends. 

16/22

Office really excel when it comes to could-be-designer trend led styles that everyone will ask you where they are from. This season alone Office has had several shoe styles that have gone viral due to its influencer and editor following. The metal toe-cap cowboy boots are just one example of a pair we were all fighting over in the office. 

Best For Party Shoes 

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Attico really does create the best party shoes. You can expect everything from pink crushed velvet, all over embellishment, ankle climbing satin ties to full-on feathers. The art-deco vintage style is what keeps this brand unique and you can guarantee with each new season comes an incredibly beautiful (and Instagrammable) new shoe collection. 

18/22

Manolo Blahnik is a timeless classic brand we’ll always be in love with. The Marysale mules are a firm favourite with the fashion crowd and the label continues to add new colourways each season. When it comes to the party season we simply can’t resist a Manolo embellished pump. 

19/22

This brand was originally the result of a collaboration between street-style star Ada Kokosar and acclaimed shoe label Paciottia and it is now continuing in its own right. Inspired by Cinderella’s glass slipper, all of the shoes are coated in transparent plastic. They really are the definition of a modern day party heel. 

Best For Comfortable Shoes 

20/22

Vegan sneaker brand Veja has quickly become the new favourite off-duty trainer brand for fashion editors and influencers. All of the styles are simple, classic and wear in quickly meaning they’ve quickly become the ultimate every-day shoe. Meghan Markle even has a pair. 

21/22

If ever you are going to invest in a pair of classic boots you can walk for hours in, it without a doubt needs to be a pair of Grensons. The British brand has been running since 1866 and has a whole heap of history behind them, and yet are still making stand-out styles that are selling out everywhere. The only problem with Grensons is you might not be able to find a pair in your size.

22/22

The Gucci loafer is a timeless classic that really is the comfiest of all the flat loafers. The latest velvet logo-embossed version is on the top of our wish-list, but we will always love the classic lether version. 

Published at Thu, 03 Jan 2019 06:00:00 +0000