The Only 7 Shoes You Need for a Chic & Effortless Fall Wardrobe

7 Must-Have Fall Shoes

#1 | Black Casual Booties

First on your must-have shoe list for fall… casual black booties. I recommend black because it is the most versatile, wearable color. Black will literally go with everything. However, if your closet has a lot more browns, tans, and beiges, and you don’t really wear black, a pair of dark brown booties can also work beautifully.

I’m wearing a pair of black Dolce Vita Chelsea booties. Chelsea booties are great because they have block heels which make them easier to walk in. This particular pair has an elongating, flattering pointed toe (but not too narrow) and a comfortable and manageable 2-inch block heel. I linked several Chelsea boot options below for your consideration if you do not already own a pair.  You can wear these booties with jeans and a blazer for an elevated casual look like I did. Or style them with a dress or skirt for a chic and casual fall look. If you can find a pair of casual black booties you really love, you’ll be able to wear them with almost everything in your closet! Versatility is really the name of the shoe game.

#3 |  Knee High Boots

Knee-high boots are also an essential part of your shoe-drobe. I’ve had these Schutz boots for 3+ years and love pulling them out each fall. More than 3 years for a pair of boots is pretty awesome and they still look brand new! If you’re not a huge fan of heels or already have a dressier pair of knee-high boots, you might opt for flat knee-high boots or ones with a block heel instead. These styles will definitely look more casual, though, so that’s a consideration especially since these boots may be the option you reach for again and again for dresses and skirts. If you want a modern edge, look for western details, which is huge in fashion right now thanks in large part to Beyoncé going country. These boots have a cool croc-embossed texture, a flattering pointed toe, and a manageable 3.5” heel. The heel is pretty high, but these boots are super manageable to walk in *for heels*. I love styling these with dresses and skirts because they really dial up the sexy. But you could also wear them with skinny jeans for a more casual look.

#5 | Slingbacks

Now that we’ve covered all of the boots and booties you need for fall, let’s dive into some non-boot options! First up is a pair of slingbacks. Slingbacks have been on-trend for the past few seasons and I don’t see them going anywhere anytime soon. Which means it’s time to start incorporating them into your shoe capsule. I got these gorgeous white slingbacks by Sam Edelman during the NSale this year and love them SO much. They’re ladylike, sleek, modern, and sophisticated. They also come in black if that works better with your wardrobe. They have a teeny tiny kitten heel that’s super easy to walk in, I love the hardware on the tie that looks designer, and the slingback strap is adjustable so they won’t slip off your heels. These look quite lovely with a pair of trousers for the office but also look elegant with a dress or skirt. (On the comfort scale, these are a 6 out of 10 – 10 being the most comfortable- and do require some breaking in time.)

#6 | Light Sneakers

If you don’t already have a pair of comfortable, chic, casual sneakers in your closet in a lighter color…now’s the time! Even if you already have some and are just thinking about updating or upgrading, I found a really great, affordable pair by Dolce Vita. They come in a zillion colors, are incredibly comfortable, and I love the multi-media look. These look great styled with a cropped pair of jeans but I’ll wear these with full length jeans, casual dresses, and shorts in the summer too.

#7 | Black Sneakers

For a more elevated (pun intended) pair of sneakers, try some with a little platform! Platform sneakers are great when you want to wear a pair of jeans you normally wear with heels or when you just want a little extra height. This pair of black platform sneakers by Veronica Beard is so comfy! I love the super versatile black and white color combo that will go with everything this fall/winter. I think it’s ideal to have both a lighter pair of chic sneakers and a dark pair as well. You will definitely wear both all the time! I lstyled these VB slip-on sneakers with some cool cuffed jeans and a chic twist-front sweater but there are endless outfit options for these sneakers. If you’re looking for a more affordable and sporty pair of black sneakers for your fall shoe capsule, try the New Balance 327s.