Italian designer Giuseppe Zanotti put it best when he said, “never underestimate the power of a shoe.” While he may be biased, being a highly acclaimed footwear designer known for his sculptural shoes and glamorous looks, his philosophy that a pair of shoes has the power to make or break an outfit isn’t wrong.
Capsule wardrobes and staple pieces quickly became favorites in our closets over the last year with their timelessness and sustainability. When we think about the capsule shoe rack, one pair that easily makes its way on the list is a pair of mules. The classic shoe is hallmarked by the open back that we can easily slip into. These shoes have seen many revivals over the years, including one this fall and winter, and with each revival different brands and designers find a new way to reinvent and restyle them, which makes it easy to find the perfect pair for pretty much every occasion. Being a perfect blend of comfort and style, we've found some of our favorites that you can include in your winter wardrobe rotation.
Italian Leather Pointed Mule - If you fell in love with ballet flats this summer just like we did, you’ll love these mules. The bow detail adds to the coquette style we were inspired by, but the shoes still look mature and refined. This is a great basic shoe to style your looks around.
Jett Buckle Mules - While we love the femininity of the ballet flat style, this pair has more of an edgier look. Winter outfits tend to lean to darker tones and more edgy style, which this pair works really well with.
Satin Square-Toe Blade-Heel Mules - Another variation of the ballet mules that plays more with color and fabric is this brown satin pair. They’re so simple, yet so well crafted and elegant.
Water Repellent Suede Clog Mule - Another staple you should include is this comfy pair of mule clogs. They’re the perfect for a lounge look. If you’re simply out running errands and want to slip on a warm and comfortable pair of shoes, this is the perfect pair.
The Outlaw Mule - I love the classic pairing of black pointed toe boots with a pair of jeans that have a wider leg. If you want to get the same look, but don’t necessarily want to deal with the hassle of putting on and taking off your boots, these mules have the same pointed toe to create the same elongated leg look.
Bibi Lou Zagreb Heeled Loafers - Loafers are always a classy shoe for any occasion. This pair combines the versatility of a mule with the class of a loafer. These are great for winter workwear outfits and a good basic shoe to go with an elevated everyday look.
Lucca Leather Square-Toe Mule - Another great basic pair to have in your outfit rotation, but with a heel. The heel makes it perfect for more elevated looks, like elevating a basic workwear look.
The Glove Mule in ReKnit - Open toed shoes might not seem like the best idea in the winter, unless you live somewhere that doesn’t get particularly cold. However, if you do, a pair of knitted mules works much better with the environment. This pair from Everlane delivers on the same cozy look of a cashmere sweater but for your feet and adds the perfect texture to a winter look.
Leona Mule Heels - We love a good kitten heel. Especially one that adds a metallic pop to our outfits. These are the perfect shoes for all the holiday parties and holiday glam looks this season.
