When you’re living in a dorm room that’s the size of your closet at home, taking your entire wardrobe to school is clearly not an option. With the limited space that college closets offer, choosing all the right pieces to fit into a mere 3 x 3 square feet is vital. So you can always put your best foot forward, we’ve come up with the 8 pairs of shoes that every collegiette needs to have!
Wear-Everywhere Flats
Flats might as well be the official footwear of collegiettes everywhere, because they’re comfy, cute, and perfect for those treks across campus. Wear them with jeans and a tee for a casual classroom look, or a flirty dress for your date with that cute guy down the hall! Here are some of our faves:
Studded Heel Ballerina, $49.90, Zara
Basic ballet flat in the front, party in the back. It’s a classic black pair that goes with everything from jeans and a tee to your party dress, and all it takes is a little gold detailing on the heel to add a unique edge.
Oasis Metal Toecap Snake Ballet Flats, $64.71, Asos.com
Get luxe for fall! Just because flats are every collegiette’s go-to campus-friendly shoes doesn’t mean they need to be boring. A snakeskin pattern is a great alternative to a solid neutral, and aren’t you fancy with that gold-capped toe?
Cooperative Applique Flat, $34, Urban Outfitters
Everyone in your hall already owns a pair of leopard print flats, but how many of them own flats patterned with actual leopards? Go ahead, get wild.
Boots That Go With Every Outfit
A good pair of boots instantly pulls an outfit together, and since we like our accessories to multitask as much as we do, boots that can be worn season to season and with outfit to outfit are a college staple. Check out our top picks!
Steve Madden “Reggime” Riding Boot, $189, Victoria’s Secret
By now, we’ve stopped wondering if riding boots will ever be out of style on college campuses — they’re a collegiette favorite. But since they’re so comfortable and look good on everybody, who’s complaining? A studded pair keeps the style up-to-date.
Buckled Booties, $34.80, Forever21
These flat boots are the easiest yet most stylish shoes you can slip on before dashing to class. Whether you’re the minimalist, into the menswear-inspired look or looking to add edge to your girly style, these wrap-around ankle boots are exactly what you’re looking for.
Tall Tale Boots, $99, Bakers Shoes
A good over-the-knee boot makes us feel like superheroes. Pretty powerful (and super sexy), and that’s why we love them.
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Heels You Can Walk A Mile In
From interviews to class presentations, networking events to that fall internship, you’re going to need a pair of heels that’ll raise you up, not get you down with blisters galore. We’ve found a few pairs that’ll get you through business and pleasure.
Call it SPRING “Pirkey” Pump, $45, Zappos.com
You guessed it: it’s the classic pair of black pumps for every event you’ll encounter during each semester. Choose a pair with a little bit different of a cut — the more pronounced “V” at the toes are enough to make this pair not all business.
Elizabeth and James Sibil Leather and Metallic Platform Wedge Sandals, $118, Her Campus StyleOwner
Ouch — sometimes, our feet just can’t keep up with our busy social lives. Stilettos may seem like a great idea at the beginning of a night, but be the worst decision you’ve made all day. A pair of chunky-heeled pumps does the trick: you’ll get all the height of a sky-high heel with a little extra help from a thicker heel.
Franco Sarto Vanna Cage Sandals, $62.30, Macy’s
Just because a pair of heels is totally impractical for campus doesn’t mean you won’t find any other use for them. A strappy, caged pair is a must have for your going out wardrobe, so we’re sure you can make room for them in your closet.
Gym-to-Campus Sneakers
You knew it was coming: gym shoes. Say what you will about gym footwear, but they’re one of the only pairs that let you sport your favorite color in its brightest hue without regard to how they match (or clash) with what you’re wearing. We know you’re busy, so here are a few pairs that’ll look cute, even post-workout — or no workout at all.
LunarMTRL+, $53.97, Nike
Go ahead, wear that neon pink, even if it looks really terrible against the rest of your gym attire. You know you want to.
N.Y.L.A. Brander Wedge Sneaker, $54.95, DSW
Admit it: sometimes, you wear gym clothes to class just so you could get away with wearing sneakers to school. Well, now you have a way to wear ‘em around campus and look good doing it, too. Meet the wedge sneaker!
Chuck Taylor Dainty, $29.99, Converse
If the wedge sneaker is too much for you and classic gym sneakers don’t suit you at all, you’re not out of luck. A pair of Converse sneakers in a fun color or pattern is your answer. It’s a sneaker you can wear with jeans or a dress — talk about versatile footwear.
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Ever-Chic Booties
Booties are the shoes you need when it’s too cold out for those strappy stilettos on the weekends, or for that transitional period between seasons when it’s cold, but not cold enough for the boots you can’t wait to wear.
Boots, $34.95, H&M
Heeled booties are the shoe that goes from day to night. Wear them with skinny jeans for a weekend shopping trip with your friends, and they’ll transition straight into your evening activities, no hassle necessary. Plus, the burgundy color? So on trend for fall.
Senso Diffusion Wilma Black Nappa Shoe, $187, Her Campus StyleOwner
You can’t go wrong with black, so that definitely applies to booties. The texture of these puts movement in the leather, so they’re super wearable.
Righton Booties, $139.95, Steve Madden
These textured black booties merge the classic with a little something special: the subtle but super luxe matte gold sole add a bit of a gleam to each step.
Strappy Sandals
Strappy sandals are necessary for when the weather gets warm. They’re comfortable and classically chic, meaning we can wear them season to season — and with practically every outfit we own!
Sam Edelman Gable Sandals, $66.99, 6pm.com
We love our straps galore! These sandals are simple enough to wear on casual days, but the metallic color makes them stand out.
Hendryx Sandals, $50, Aldo
A great pair of embellished sandals can spice up a low-key look or pair well with an outfit for special occasions.
Two Lips Aphrodite Gladiator Sandals, $45, Macy’s
Gladiator sandals need to be a part of every collegiette’s wardrobe, and not just because there are many Ancient Greek-themed parties to dress up for (though you’ll experience your fair share). These aren’t the typical strappy gladiator sandals: the gold plates reach statement-piece status, and who doesn’t want a pair of those to strut around campus?
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Slip-On Flip Flops
We’re right there with you: the quintessential rubber flip flop isn’t the most exciting piece of footwear you’ll bring to school with you, but trust us, you’ll be glad you have them. But just because you only slip them on when running down the hall to your BFF’s room or while using the shared showers doesn’t mean they can’t be cute!
Havaianas ‘Slim’ Flip Flop, $26, Nordstrom
A classic pair of flip flops is a college necessity. Pick out a pair in bright colors or a fun pattern so that even when you have to wear them out in public, you can still show off your personal style!
DV by Dolce Vita Archer Sandal, $69, Dolce Vita
Think of these sandals as the flip-flops you can wear out. They’re everything a flip-flop is, from fit to ease, but with the added bonuses of on-trend colors and gold hardware.
Statement Heels Fit For A Dance Party
Work hard, play hard: us collegiettes use our weekends wisely. And for a good portion of these weekend hours, we’re hitting the town in our heels. This means they need to be comfortable — and look good. Meet the statement heels you can party in all night long. Turn up the music!
Combined High Heel Court Shoe, $89.90, Zara
Colorblocking is all the rage, so why not bring the party to your feet? As we now know, a thicker heel means for happier tootsies, and with this shoe from Zara you’ll be stylish and comfortable. As a busy collegiette running from event to event, there’s really nothing better.
DV by Dolce Vita Julia Wedge Sandals, $92.90-$139, Endless.com
Keep this pair on hand for when you need to dress to really impress! Whether it’s bright colors, a crazy heel you thought only Gaga would wear or both, find one that shows off your personal style so you can really rock them.
A Notch At the Door Wedge, $49.99, ModCloth.com
Do stilettos spell trouble for you? You’re going on a first date and definitely don’t want to embarrass yourself by tripping and falling — but hello, heels are still so necessary. That’s what we have the wedge for: leg-lengthening, but with additional support. Bonus points if you get a unique pair that still has all the benefits of your typical wedge.
From campus-friendly flats to super leggy stilettos, we’ve got all your bases covered — now it’s up to you to make room in your closet. Did we miss your favorite pair? Let us know what shoes you can’t live without at school!